First built in the seventeenth century as a farm house, and by the 1760s the house was owned by Peter Nightingale (1737-1803). Peter Nightingale was a wealthy land and factory owner, who became High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1770.

On the death of Peter Nightingale, his houses and estate went to his great-nephew, William Edward Shore, who changed his name to Nightingale on his coming of age at 21 years old. William soon married, Frances Smith and had two daughters, Parthenope and Florence.

Before moving his young family to Lea Hurst, he spent two years renovating it so that it was more suitable for them. Parthenope and Florence Nightingale therefore spent much of their young lives at Lea Hurst. William Nightingale also purchased a second property, Embley in Hampshire, which became the families’ main residence, with Lea Hurst becoming their summer holiday home.

Both William and Florence were extremely fond of Lea Hurst and often spoke of it.

It was Lea Hurst that Florence Nightingale headed to on her return from the Crimean War. Suffering from ill health and looking gaunt from her experiences in the war hospitals, Nightingale needed time to rest and recuperate. Lea Hurst offered the perfect location for this.

On the death of William Nightingale, the property passed to his sister and her descendents. Throughout her later life, Nightingale still visited Lea Hurst often, even though ownership had passed to her aunt and cousins. Her mother spent her last years there and Nightingale spent time looking after her.

The property was passed through the Nightingale Shore family until it became a care home in the 1940s. The care home remained in operation until 2004, when it closed down. The house was sold into private hands.

The Grade II listed building is a private home today, but also operates as a bed and breakfast.

Lea Hurst is located near Matlock in Derbyshire, UK.

Portrait of Peter Nightingale (1737-1803) as a boy