History of St Elphin's Park

Victorian grandeur

Audley St Elphin's Park is a luxury retirement village set in 14 acres in the Derbyshire Dales, close to Matlock and Bakewell. The restored Victorian school at the centre of the village houses the Audley Club.

Before becoming a retirement village, the main building at St Elphin’s Park, St Elphin’s House, served as a private residence. It later became an exclusive spa in the 19th century and converted into a girls' boarding school in 1904 - St Elphin’s Girls School. The school's story began when a visionary educator named Miss Margaret Firth recognised the need for quality education for girls.

Inspired by the legendary St. Elphin, a 7th-century Christian missionary who embodied resilience and dedication, Miss Firth named her school after the Saint, hoping to instill those same virtues in her students.

The imposing Victorian building, with its red-brick façade and soaring spires, became a symbol of academic excellence. One of the first publications about the school is The Story of St Elphin's School 1844-1944 by Margaret L. Flood, Head Mistress of the school from 1910-1933.

This Victorian schoolhouse has been expertly restored and now boasts a swimming pool, fitness centre, hair salon, treatment rooms, library, bistro and The Orangery Restaurant. 

Surrounding the Victorian grandeur of St Elphin’s House are our attractively designed one- and two-bedroom retirement properties, including apartments and cottages. The village has been built to reflect the style of a traditional Derbyshire hamlet.