Now the place is on the market with a guide price of £1.95 million.
Leawood Hall, at Holloway near Matlock on the southern edge of the Peak District, was designed by architect W. Eden Nesfield, who borrowed ideas from the Arts and Crafts movement led by his associate William Morris.
Land for the property was purchased from Peter Nightingale, the father of pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale, while the gardens were landscaped by William Barron, who laid out many public parks in Britain.
The house has eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms and six reception rooms. It is set in around eight acres of grounds and comes with an adjoining annexe.
Chris Charlton, from estate agent Savills which is handling the sale, said: “Its wonderful private setting offers an idyllic retreat, balanced beautifully with its convenient position close to Matlock centre with excellent connections to national and regional centres including local train links to Derby and on to London, as well as Manchester.
“The added luxury of an annexe alongside the main residence would make it an ideal choice for multi-generational living, whilst its enviable setting within eight acres of private grounds would be perfect for those dreaming of being at one with nature.”
Visit www.savills.com for further information.
![The entrance vestibule and inner staircase hall leads to three principal reception rooms, plus a study and an inner hallway with a secondary staircase.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZiYmU1NTM2LWM3MzItNGM0NC05ZmM0LTdlOTNjZDFmNTliMTo4ZjI2ZWUwNC1jY2VmLTQyODYtOGNiNy0yNTA2ZTZmYTE5Zjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Take a tour
The entrance vestibule and inner staircase hall leads to three principal reception rooms, plus a study and an inner hallway with a secondary staircase. Photo: Savills
![The principal reception rooms have views over the main gardens to the open countryside of the Derwent Valley beyond.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMyZjA4MTEwLWU0NWItNDMyMi04MGUyLTg0ZDE2ZjMwNmYyNTplNWZkYTcyYy00YjE0LTQzZjgtYmI2OS05YmE4NmZlZGI0YTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Countryside views
The principal reception rooms have views over the main gardens to the open countryside of the Derwent Valley beyond. Photo: Savills
![The dining room - with a varnished timber floor and big enough for a grand piano - has a chimney piece in the corner with marble slips and a wide cast iron grate.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjhmNTAwOTE5LTgxNjUtNGMzOC1iMjhkLTJkM2QwNTRlZjExYTpjNDllMjAxMy0yODk1LTQ5MzEtYTJiNi0yNzIxNzc5ZjQ1MjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Polished to perfection
The dining room - with a varnished timber floor and big enough for a grand piano - has a chimney piece in the corner with marble slips and a wide cast iron grate. Photo: Savills
![The south-facing drawing room has an inglenook fireplace, a fitted window seat and French doors to the terrace and gardens.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjMyYTBiZDAxLWI2NzUtNDlhNS1hM2I3LWI5ZGJhMmRmMmU1YTpmNDEzZWE4ZC0xZDllLTQ3MDctYmZlNy1kYzYwMjc1NjZlOTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Retreat for a game of chess
The south-facing drawing room has an inglenook fireplace, a fitted window seat and French doors to the terrace and gardens. Photo: Savills