Council-owned Clay Cross Hall to go up for auction

The imposing 5,000 sq ft Victorian building was most recently owned by Derbyshire County Council and is now surplus to requirements. The hall was built in 1854 by the legendary railways engineer George Stephenson to house the general manager of his mining business, after coal and iron reserves were discovered in the area during the excavation of the Clay Cross tunnel for the North Midland Railway.

Clay Cross Hall will be included among around 200 lots in the next national property auction to be held by SDL Property Auctions, part of Eddisons, on 25 April.

Andrew Parker, auctioneer and managing director at SDL Property Auctions, said: “This is a chance to buy a unique piece of the area’s rich industrial history, from when mining and the railways were at the heart of this region with Clay Cross being a focal point.

“The hall is a magnificent building and, subject to a buyer obtaining the necessary planning consent, it would be fantastic to see the property restored to its former glory. Redeveloped as residential accommodation, it could return to its original purpose, either as a grand family home or as apartments.”

He added: “Also the location is great, on the fringes of the Peak District and close to the M1 motorway, as well as being equidistant between Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby so it’s not surprising that we’ve had some good interest from potential buyers.”

For more information about Clay Cross Hall, or to register to bid remotely online, on the phone or by proxy, go to sdlauctions.co.uk. The auction will be live streamed online on 25 April with bidder registration closing on 24 April.