Breadsall

Breadsall began life as a small hamlet clustered around its Norman church. It is now known primarily as a residential suburb of Derby, with new estates around the original centre.

Opposite the west end of the church can be found The Old Hall, which has been part of village life for over 600 years. It was originally the manor house when the village was divided into the wards of Overhall and Netherhall. In later years it has been employed as a school, farmhouse, hunting box, public house, shop, joiner’s shop and post office. It currently serves as a parish hall and is used by various village organisations.

Close by is Breadsall Priory. This was originally a small 13th-century Augustinian Priory and was later converted to a large Elizabethan house. Successive owners have all left their mark on the building which is now a luxurious hotel and leisure complex. The most famous resident of Breadsall Priory was Erasmus Darwin, a respected physician, well-known poet, philosopher, botanist, and naturalist, who lived there for a short time until his death in 1802. Erasmus is one of the most remarkable and internationally important figures of the 18th century and is buried in the church graveyard. It is probably no coincidence that Charles Darwin, the grandson of such a progressive thinker, produced some of the most important work in the history of biological and social thought.