History

Lea Green was built in 1761, and has since hosted several famous characters, from the industrialist John Smedley, who bought the house in 1895, to the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, who was born in Lea.

Lea Village is one of the few local settlements mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, where it is called Lede.

Timeline of Lea Green

1761
The earliest records of Lea Green date back to 1761, when it was first built. George Marshall sold the 17-acre property to Francis Cook.

1774
On the death of Francis Cook, Lea Green was passed to his youngest daughter, Rebecca Cook.

1829
Rebecca Cook, by now a widow, was living at Lea Green with her son William, who was a medical student. They sold the estate to A. Wheatcroft Wharfinger of Nottingham in 1829.

1834
Abraham Wheatcroft sold Lea Green to Joseph Wass, the young lead merchant of Holloway. By this time only one building (the main house) remained.

1878
Mrs Ann Wass (the owner of the property at the time) bought some more land to add to the original estate from people including Florence Nightingale. The additional land now forms part of the gardens, play park and cottage.

1881
The 1881 Census of England shows who was living at Lea Green.

1895
John Smedley bought Lea Green and began a renowned link between Lea Green and the famous mill-owning family. The main house was extended, doubling in size. The Smedley family dined in what is now our meeting room and the dining room was used as a writing room.

1901
The 1901 Census of England shows who was living at Lea Green.

1960
The Smedley family sold the house and its 25 acres of land to Derbyshire County Council for £10,000.

1964
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the England World Cup winning team of 1966 visited Lea Green. The football team visited the centre for training and stayed over in the house.

1970’s
In the 1970’s Lea Green was a centre of sporting excellence, hosting a variety of different sporting teams.

2005
This year saw the beginning of big changes at Lea Green with the construction of the high ropes course, climbing tower and low ropes.

2011
His Royal Highness Prince Edward visited Lea Green to celebrate the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Derbyshire

2020
The year covid-19 hit the world. Lea Green remained open and worked with children and adults in care and offered respite to both vulnerable children and adults.