Listed Building record MDR16275 - The Old Cottage, No. 18 Cromford Hill, Cromford

The Old Cottage, No. 18 Cromford Hill, Cromford, originally a 17th century building. 'A huge painting of an angel playing a trumpet emerged on the ceiling of the living room following removal of plaster when the occupants were redecorating in 1994. A former resident had apparently discovered the outline of the mural under about 10 layers of whitewash in 1981. The origin of the mural is unknown. A member of Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust visited the building to see the angel and speculated that the unusually high ceilings in the cottage could indicate that it was used as a private chapel at some point.' (1) From the National Heritage List for England: '1. CROMFORD HILL 1390 CROMFORD No. 18 The Old Cottage SK 2856/2956 1/117 II GV 2. House (formerly house with cottage attached). Partly C17 extended in late-C18 or early-C19. Roughly coursed rubble; Welsh slate and tiled roofs. Plan: 3 units; the two units to the left heightened (presumably by Arkwright to accommodate his textile workers), that to the right surviving to the original height. Shorter parallel range to rear. One brick external end stack (to right) and two red and black brick ridge stacks. Front: irregular 3-window range. 1st floor has one small blocked window to extreme left, two 2-light windows of different sizes with stone surrounds, the smaller with rebated mullion and surround, and (to the lower part) a 3-light window with rebated mullions and surround. Ground with 3 large 2-light windows, the 2 to the left (flanking a doorway) with mullions; wide doorway into the lower section probably the original. Interior not inspected; it is understood to contain an early painted ceiling. See also under Alabaster Lane, Cromford. Listing NGR: SK2941356818.' (2)