Listed Building record MDR4596 - The Old Hall, No. 5 Orchard Street, Derby

The Old Hall, No. 5 Orchard Street, Derby, built in 1648. 'Old Hall, No.5 Orchard Street, Mickleover. Inscribed on the two-storey porch 'Nisi Deus Frustra 1648'. Timber-framed with brick infilling, the south side with twin gables. No fancy timber decoration.' (1) 'The Old Hall is timber-framed with brick infill, square on plan and two and a half storeys high. Maxwell Craven, in Civic Society Newsletter 54, says that the house was built by Captain Robert Cotchett, born 1611, died 1667. It would appear that the shell of this double-pile was probably completed in 1648, as indicated by the date stone, but that the interior decoration was completed later in stages. The house was substantially restored in the early 19th century when stone windows were inserted.' (2) 'Mickleover Old Hall is boxframed on a stone plinth infilled with brick nogging using stretcher bond, of two storeys and attics, gabled and with a huge brick chimney breast attached to the north side. It was probably thatched originally, but is now roofed in old tile, and the original timber mullioned windows were replaced in the 19th century with stone mullions with cast iron frames. The building is dated on its upper storey bressumer, with '1648 NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA' on its two-storey gabled porch. Original oak panelling in the drawing-room inscribed 'C 16-55 RA'. There is a pleasant garden with a pair of 18th century brick ball-capped gatepiers. It was bought about 1790 by Alderman Samuel Rowland of Derby who 'repaired and beautified' it, renaming it The Cedars, later Cedar Lodge, and these works probably account for the change in fenestration. Later Rowland's heirs sold a portion of his estate including the Old Hall/Cedar Lodge to Moses Harvey, who built Mickleover House 50 yards to the south. The Old Hall/Cedar Lodge became the gardener's cottage to Mickleover House until World War II.' (3) 'Vernacular building of 1649.' (4) From the National Heritage List for England: 'This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 9 January 2026 to correct a typo in the description and to reformat the text to current standards SK 33 SW 11/211 Mickleover ORCHARD STREET No 5 (Old Hall) (Formerly listed in the Rural District of Repton) 2.9.52. II* Dated 1648. Square-panelled timber framing with red brick nogging; two storeys and attic; three light C19 stone mullioned windows with cast iron lattice lights; stone plinth. Front with central two storey porch, the upper floor oversailing; splat balusters to open sides of porch; bressummer inscribed "NISI DEUS FRUSTRA 1648" (An adaptation of the opening lines of the psalm 'Unless the Lord build the house they labour in vain who build it'). No windows to left of porch one window each floor to right. Tile roof. Other elevations in character. An interesting house. (The house was at one time called The Cedars and is said to have been built by a Captain in Cromwell's army). Listing NGR: SK3052834024.' (5)