Welcome to Church Farm, Alvaston, Derby

Church Farm is Derby's oldest privately owned house, dating back to the Fifteenth Century. Originally built as a single-storey hall, it was probably originally used as either a school or a guild hall. It is one of the largest examples of cruck construction in England, it being later converted to a two-storey dwelling, with the earliest reference to it being a farmhouse being 1509. The lower-roofed 'west wing' is a later extension, added in the Sixteenth Century.

The pictures that you see here were taken prior to our purchase in September 2005 and show a partly thatched roof, a few 1960s windows, and an outbuilding on the verge of collapse. As of February 2006, we have completed the thatch, stabilised the outbuilding, and are preparing to return the windows to their former glory. We aim to spend the next five years on a variety of projects, but fully expect that maintenance will become a way of life...

We have our own small stock of Buxton Limewash & Lime Putty

Re-thatching video - click here!

2005 - 2007 comparison - click here