Florence Nightingale's majestic childhood home is up for sale
The childhood home of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, is for sale in the Derbyshire countryside.
Grade II-listed Lea Hurst is where Florence began her life and spent much of her childhood before the family moved to Emberly Park in Hampshire in 1825. Despite relocating, they still spent many summers at Lea Hurst, returning for around three months out of the year.
Sitting atop Derwent Valley, the home is nestled within an impressive 19.23 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland, poking out from the top of the hill as you travel up its large driveway.
William Nightingale, Florence's father, inherited the home from his great-uncle Peter Nightingale in 1815. He quickly expanded the once humble, smaller farmhouse that stood there into the enormous family home it is now.
The 13-bedroom property is now grand and striking, yet still cosy and comfortable, having retained many of the period features that would have been around in Florence's era, including the gothic arch leading to the front door.
Downstairs, prospective buyers will find a formal drawing room with a triple aspect across the beautiful grounds, a dining room, a games room, and a sitting room/library with stunning bay windows. The agents Blue Book Agency note that this is where Florence and her sister were home-schooled by their father.
The kitchen has also been lovingly restored, featuring a beautiful and sympathetic limestone floor, granite worktops and an electric Aga. Completing this space is a breakfast area with a wood-burning stove. At the very bottom of the home, keen wine lovers will also find a cellar, perfect for tastings.
The 13 bedrooms and two family bathrooms are set over several levels above the ground floor. The principal bedroom, with stunning views has an original stone fireplace and floorboards, as well as a dressing room.
There's also an adjoining en-suite; the modern bathroom has double basins, a walk-in shower and a roll-top bath. Florence is known to have used the nearby double bedroom following her return from the Crimea.
Seb Hipwood, co-founder of Blue Book Agency, says: 'A thorough and assiduously researched renovation has been conducted by the current owners who have employed local craftsmen to sensitively restore Lea Hurst. The result is a beautifully finished family home with excellent flow and quintessential period features throughout.'
Such a beautiful home, with such historical significance, is bound to come with a price tag to match; Lea Hurst is currently on sale for £3.75 million with The Blue Book Agency.
Here's a closer look around...
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