"2024 seems like a distant memory, and to many it probably is, but to me it is still very much in the back of the mind." And that is because in 2024 I decided to enter my first photographic competition, that of course was for the
Beauvale Horticultural Show's (Photography Competition Section) and the criteria for that was the following,
"Abandoned Buildings and Architecture."
Something that when I looked at the criteria immediately raised questions, for where was I going to find abandoned Architecture and Buildings? In the back of the mind one place stood out to me and that of course was the giant red brick mill that dominates the skyline of Belper, and yes I did manage to get some photos of that - but another place that I had heard about was "Oakhurst House." not only had I heard about it, I had also read about this mysterious house that was located within the lower flanks of Shining Cliff Woods, an area of woodland on the opposite side of The River Derwent, at the beautiful and delightful settlement of Ambergate, an area of woodland that throughout the year seems ethereal and mysterious, yet lends itself as the perfect place for Woodland Photography. But hold on? I had also heard and read that Oakhurst House was of course abandoned, but roughly what was the history of this house? Well it was the following,
"Oakhurst House was a house situated within Shining Cliff Woods, it was originally built as a Forge House, prior to 1848. However in 1848 the house was rebuilt by Francis Hurst for his family, behind his Iron Forge in Ambergate (now the location of Shining Cliff Distillery.) Between 1888 and 1894 the house was extended with various neo-Jacobean Arts and Crafts elements added to the building. During later years, and from WW2 onwards the house was subsequently divided into 12 flats - however the deteriorating condition of the properties meant that in the 1970s the property would be vacated, and since then despite efforts to save it, the building was left to go to a sad state of disrepair."
And of course it was in 2024 that I was fortunate enough to take a bit of time to capture this interesting and unique building, below of course are the photos of Oakhurst House that I managed to capture. But in January 2026 I learnt something else.
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| "A Sense of Oakhurst Grey." |
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| "The Elements of Silence." |
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| "Atmosphere along the track." |
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| "Smile for you are on." |
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| "The view upwards, hearing the sound of the Woods." |
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| "Blended in Style." |
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| "The Silence of Oakhurst." |
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| "For the house and Trees." |
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| "Timber, Bricks, Foliage Combined." |
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| "Additions, Wood, Timber, Bricks." |
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| "Abstraction, Black and White." |
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| "Haunted Elements, Abandoned Beauty." |
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| "A Sense of Mystery and Questions." |
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| "The last I saw of Oakhurst." |
Sadly I learnt in January of 2026 that this once grand building, that looked to many "like a haunted house." Had sadly been demolished and bought to the ground. When I look back at the photos that I had captured back in 2024, I am pleased that I managed to see this architectural gem, with its unique and interesting history, but now I just question - why was this building not saved, not preserved? Not really that well known about, for it surely is a building that should have been saved and not left to decay and die, yes there is the costs involved in restoring a building like this, but come on, to save something like this building and to preserve it would have been something else to behold. Another gem of a building gone, and what a shame, what sadness it has bought to me learning that it has gone, that it has been demolished, and instead what is left? Memories and photos, I just wonder if there is anything physical left behind as surely that should be in some museum somewhere within Derbyshire providing a point of reflection for this once grand and mysterious looking house that stood in this beautiful woodland. I shall now say - RIP Oakhurst House, for you were a building of abandoned beauty that is now lost forever.
