Okeover Hall
Encyclopedia
Okeover Hall is a privately owned Grade II* listed country house in Staffordshire. It is the family seat of the Okeover family, who have been in residence since the reign of William Rufus
. The house lies at the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, which lies on the far side of the small River Dove
. The Hall is not open to the public.
The house and manor church (14th century, restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott
) were pillaged by the Jacobite
forces as they marched south to Swarkstone Bridge in 1745. In 1745-47, Leak Okeover had the old hall enlarged to Palladian designs by a London carpenter and joiner, Joseph Sanderson, a cousin of John Sanderson
, the architect.The house is a testament to the high level of education and competence that might be elicited from a well-trained Georgian craftsman.
The Georgian
east wing is the oldest part of the house dating from 1745-6. A north wing was demolished in the early 19th century. The south and west wings were rebuilt 1953–1960 to a sensitive Neo-Georgian design by Marshall Sisson.
Stables at right angles to the house form a separate nine-bay range with a central pediment on Doric pilasters over three rusticated arches
and are separately listed as Grade II.
A feature of the house is the Grade II* wrought iron
gates (1756) with armorial overthrow
, by master smith Benjamin Yates, a pupil of Robert Bakewell
.
In 1887, Maud Okeover married Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, a successful brewer of Gateacre, Liverpool (see Walker Baronets
) who in 1884 had purchased Osmaston Manor in nearby Derbyshire. He acquired Okeover in 1888, and assumed the name of Walker-Okeover. His grandson, the 3rd Baronet, demolished Osmaston Manor in 1964, and moved the family seat back to Okeover. The estate is currently owned by Sir Andrew Walker-Okeover, 5th Baronet.
Several members of the family have served as High Sheriff of Staffordshire
and of Derbyshire
.
William II of England
William II , the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. He was less successful in extending control into Wales...
. The house lies at the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire, which lies on the far side of the small River Dove
River Dove, Derbyshire
The River Dove is the principal river of the southwestern Peak District, in the Midlands of England and is around in length. It rises on Axe Edge Moor near Buxton and flows generally south to its confluence with the River Trent at Newton Solney. From there, its waters reach the North Sea via the...
. The Hall is not open to the public.
The house and manor church (14th century, restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott
George Gilbert Scott
Sir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
) were pillaged by the Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
forces as they marched south to Swarkstone Bridge in 1745. In 1745-47, Leak Okeover had the old hall enlarged to Palladian designs by a London carpenter and joiner, Joseph Sanderson, a cousin of John Sanderson
John Sanderson
Lieutenant General John Murray Sanderson AC is a former Governor of Western Australia and a former Chief of the Australian Army.-Early life:...
, the architect.The house is a testament to the high level of education and competence that might be elicited from a well-trained Georgian craftsman.
The Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
east wing is the oldest part of the house dating from 1745-6. A north wing was demolished in the early 19th century. The south and west wings were rebuilt 1953–1960 to a sensitive Neo-Georgian design by Marshall Sisson.
Stables at right angles to the house form a separate nine-bay range with a central pediment on Doric pilasters over three rusticated arches
Rustication (architecture)
thumb|upright|Two different styles of rustication in the [[Palazzo Medici-Riccardi]] in [[Florence]].In classical architecture rustication is an architectural feature that contrasts in texture with the smoothly finished, squared block masonry surfaces called ashlar...
and are separately listed as Grade II.
A feature of the house is the Grade II* wrought iron
Wrought iron
thumb|The [[Eiffel tower]] is constructed from [[puddle iron]], a form of wrought ironWrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon...
gates (1756) with armorial overthrow
Overthrow (structure)
In wrought ironwork, the overthrow, particularly popular in the Baroque era commencing in the 17th century, refers to the crowning section of ornamental wrought ironwork which forms a decorative crest above a wrought iron gate; the overthrow provides some stabilizing structure tying together...
, by master smith Benjamin Yates, a pupil of Robert Bakewell
Robert Bakewell (ironsmith)
Robert Bakewell was an English smith. He took an apprenticeship in London as an iron worker and became an extremely skilled ironsmith.In 1706, he started working at Melbourne Hall for Thomas Coke, and living in the town of Melbourne...
.
In 1887, Maud Okeover married Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, a successful brewer of Gateacre, Liverpool (see Walker Baronets
Walker Baronets
There have been five Baronetcies created for people with the surname Walker, one is extinct, four are still extant.The Walker Baronetcy, of Bushey Hall in the County of Hertfordshire was created in the Baronetage of England on 28 January 1680 for George Walker...
) who in 1884 had purchased Osmaston Manor in nearby Derbyshire. He acquired Okeover in 1888, and assumed the name of Walker-Okeover. His grandson, the 3rd Baronet, demolished Osmaston Manor in 1964, and moved the family seat back to Okeover. The estate is currently owned by Sir Andrew Walker-Okeover, 5th Baronet.
Several members of the family have served as High Sheriff of Staffordshire
High Sheriff of Staffordshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Staffordshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
and of Derbyshire
High Sheriff of Derbyshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Derbyshire from 1568.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
.