First recorded in 1733
History of Hamps Hall and Barn
A 17th-century farmhouse, a clod of grass, a railway in the valley and a fire in 1900: the story of Hamps Hall.
Late 17th century · Once Field House · An 80-acre farm · Rebuilt after 1900 · Restored from 2006
History in the making
From Field House to Hamps Hall
Hamps Hall was originally known as Field House, and we believe it was built late in the 17th century. By the time it first appears in the records, in 1733, many of the fields around it had been enclosed.
For centuries it was a working farm in the village of Waterfall, growing over time as farmers bought more land, including Lumber Low, the little hill you can see from the Hall living room’s French doors.
Today the original stone buildings remain, lovingly restored as Hamps Hall and Hamps Barn.
Hamps Hall today
Timeline
Hamps Hall through the years
Field House is built
The farmhouse that would become Hamps Hall is thought to date from the late 17th century.
First records
Field House appears in the records. Many nearby fields have been enclosed by now.
A clod of grass
The first recorded sale. By local custom, the seller cut a clod of grass and handed it to the buyer in front of witnesses to give “quiet and reasonable possession”.
A growing farm
The farm grows to 80 acres. Residents over the years include farmers, a vicar and a horse dealer.
Fire
Much of the original Field House burns down and has to be rebuilt.
The railway arrives
Joseph, who lives here, keeps the Red Lion at Waterfall while the Manifold Light Railway is built in the valley below.
A new chapter
We buy the farm from Mr and Mrs Carr, whose family home it had been for decades. The large modern sheds come down, the stone cattle sheds become Hamps Barn and the house is fully renovated.
Lumber Low
An ancient hill on the doorstep
Lumber Low is the small hill above Hamps Hall, and the view from the Hall living room. Stone flints and spearheads were found there in an ancient burial ground, complete with a skeleton.
The land around the farm also shows signs of an old lime kiln. Burnt lime was vital locally, used for building and for spreading on the fields to keep them productive.
Look out for
History you can still see
- The original stone buildings of Field House and its cattle sheds
- Exposed beams and trusses in Hamps Barn
- Lumber Low, from the Hall’s French doors
- The route of the Manifold Light Railway, now the Manifold Track
- The Red Lion at Waterfall, still a short walk away
History FAQs
How old is Hamps Hall?
Hamps Hall, originally called Field House, is thought to date from the late 17th century. There are records of it in 1733, and much of the house was rebuilt after a fire in 1900.
What was Hamps Hall originally?
A working farm. At its height it had 80 acres, and over the years its residents included farmers, a vicar and a horse dealer.
What is Hamps Barn?
Hamps Barn was converted from the farm’s original stone cattle sheds after 2006, when the large modern farm buildings were taken down.
Is the pub nearby historic too?
Yes. One of Hamps Hall’s residents, Joseph, kept the Red Lion at Waterfall while the Manifold Light Railway was being built in the valley below. The pub is still a short walk away.
Write the next chapter
Hamps Hall and Barn sleeps 40. Check dates and prices online, or call us on 01273 271 332.