Various owners took charge over the centuries including MP, traveller and writer Henry Gally Knight, who remodelled and extended the hall in 1820 in the Elizabethan style we see today. Belgian refugees were housed here in the First World War.
It reopened and modernised as a country club in 1934 - such was its status that it was patronised by royalty and celebrities and hosted the BBC's Late Night Dance Music radio show. The Second World War led to it being used by Sheffield Royal Infirmary and the RAF.
After that it served as a rehabilitation centre for injured miners until 1984 and for industrial injury victims until 1990, following which it fell into disrepair. It was bought four years ago, but planning permission for development doesn't seem to be forthcoming.
Access to the grounds seemed straightforward. At the spot in the photograph below, a cat hopped out of some bushes on the left and then from the bushes behind, a terrific bang!
It sounded like a firework - a banger.Maybe something unexploded, or a booby trap. A spent cartridge on the floor (one of several) - was there someone with a gun? Took cover for a pause. No-one.
Circling the site, camera phone drawn as a demonstration of peaceful intent, noticing blue plastic barrels everywhere, a pipe was found sticking out of the ground like an improvised artillery device. Something wasn't right about this place.
This device resembled a nipple.
There was a parked 4x4 on the next corner. It was time to withdraw, and the route back led to the sports building - the gymnasium was splendid, and the pool a nice surprise.
This building must be connected to the hall somewhere but that venture would be left for a quieter time.
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