“Health & Safety” – or Just an Excuse?
Perched high above the Amber Valley, Wingfield Manor once stood as more than just a ruin — it was part of the living landscape of Derbyshire. For generations, this 15th-century relic welcomed local families, curious children, history lovers and walkers. It wasn’t just bricks and history — it was home.
But now? It’s locked up. Cut off. Out of bounds.
Once open and freely explored, Wingfield Manor has been closed to the public, with English Heritage citing the now-familiar buzzwords: health and safety. What was once a treasured space for local people has become another victim of clipboard culture — where organisations hide behind risk assessments and liability fears instead of doing their job: protecting access, not restricting it.
Let’s be honest. This isn’t really about keeping people safe. It’s about protecting budgets and dodging responsibility.
The site has stood for nearly 600 years. It’s weathered storms, civil war, neglect, and modern life. But now, somehow, it’s too dangerous for a Sunday stroll? That’s hard to swallow.
Locals from South Wingfield and beyond remember a time when you could walk the ruins freely. Couples carved initials into stone. Kids ran wild, letting their imaginations loose among the towers and archways. Photographers, artists and walkers would linger in its shadow. Families would picnic on its grounds. It belonged to the people.
Now, the gates are shut. The only view is from afar, or if you’re lucky enough to win the guided tour lottery on one of the rare, pre-approved, limited access days. And still, no date for proper reopening. No clear plan. Just more silence — and that tired old excuse: health and safety.
We’re not asking for scaffold-free roof repairs or unsupervised cliff-diving. We’re asking for what we used to have — sensible, respectful, managed access. A chance for people to connect with the place. Wingfield Manor doesn’t need to be locked away like some fragile relic. It’s strong. It’s proud. It’s Derbyshire.
And Derbyshire people know the difference between genuine protection and bureaucratic bollocks.
There’s a growing sense of anger that public heritage is being hoarded instead of shared. English Heritage may not even own the manor, but they’re responsible for managing it — and it feels like that management now means “keep everyone out.”
Still, the silhouette of the manor rising over the hills stirs something in us. For many, that view means one thing: you’re nearly home. And maybe that’s why it hurts so much. Because home isn’t meant to be locked behind a fence with a sign saying “do not enter.”
We want to hear your stories. Did you explore Wingfield Manor before the gates closed? Do you have old photos, or memories of clambering through the ruins as a child? Share them in the comments or send them to us at news@derbyshire.news.
Let’s remind those in charge that heritage belongs to the people. Not the paperwork.
Louise
Most interesting to read! Been to Wingfield manor as a child. It being a wonderful experience, enjoyed every moment. shame on the people who are restricting access.