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With
a dome bigger than St Paul’s in London, the former Devonshire Royal
Hospital in Buxton has thrown open its doors to the BBC.
Let us take you on a tour of the building that was originally built
as a stable for the fifth Duke of Devonshire's horses.
Take a look inside this remarkable building
First though, a bit of history...
Built in 1785 the building was home to 110 horses.
The stables served the nearby Crescent, built in 1780.
Both the Stables and the Crescent were built on behalf of the reigning
Duke of Devonshire as part of the plan to promote Buxton as a Spa.
In
1858 two thirds of the building were converted into a hospital –
the remaining third stayed as stables until 1881 when it was fully
converted to a hospital with its unmistakably spectacular dome.
For
a time this dome was the largest unsupported dome in the world –
only surpassed today by two in America.
Once
the stables were fully converted into a hospital, more changes were
made – the clock tower and lodge were built in 1882, surgical wards
were built in 1897, baths were built in 1913 and the dining room
and kitchens were built in 1921.
The
building became known as the Devonshire Royal Hospital in 1934.
On
31st January 2001 the University of Derby acquired the Devonshire
Royal Hospital.
The University has received £4.7m Heritage Lottery Fund backing
for the project and redevelopment work has started on site.
Predictions
for the campus include a full-time student population of 2,500,
of whom a substantial amount will be studying for higher level qualifications.
There
will be new learning centres and facilities as well as a social
area for bookshops, banks, cafés etc.
Now join us for a peek inside
Your
Comments
My Grandfther was in the hospital in the 70's we travelled from
Walsall every weekend to visit him. I remember playing on the huge
roof, I think. I don't remember how we got up there I was only 7
at the time. Would love more information. I remember looking down
at the floor and being told that it used to be stables.
Amanda
Bagnall
Malvern
In 1861 my great great grandfather, Edward Bailey, was Head Ostler
in the stables at the Devonshire Hospital. I'd love to find any
records of his life and work there. Do you have any idea where I
could get some information? Thanks very much,
Anne Hillman,
Malaga, Spain
Terrific info hope the work progresses well, it was really interesting
to see inside the old building and enjoyed the story thank you.
Tom Walden
Matlock
It is certainly great that this fine old building is put to a new
use and hopefully the public will be allowed to go into it to appreciate
the architectural beauty of it. I heard some of the broadcasts from
the site and I was well impressed Name -
Alan Squires
Milford,Belper
Congratulations to University of Derby and all involved in ensuring
that this beautiful and historical building will be preserved for
all to see and admire, while serving to educating future generations.
I believe that projects such as this deserve a lot more Lottery
Funding, I also hope that when restored the building or at least
parts of it will be open to the visiting public, it wil compliment
the other historical buildings in Buxton Name -
Sam Allen
Pinxton, Derbyshire
Excellent that it is being preserved - I visitied my Grandmother
there in about 1992 and if you stand in the exact centre of the
dome there is an amazing amplification effect as all the sounds
you make are reflected back to you. Name -
joh coleshill
yeovil
The
photos are superb. I have always wondered what it was like inside.
I will look forward to visiting when it is finished. I am almost
sorry I no longer work for the University - it would be great to
have the chance to work there.
Kay Coulson
Derby
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