George Kippax was a prosperous local tanner who appears to have been responsible for building Ordsall Hall and laying out the surrounding parkland. The census of 1841 describes the house as Biggin’s House. The core of the house was built C1830 and comprised a simple rectangular building with vaulted cellars. This was doubled in size by 1839 forming an L-shaped house, subsequent alterations until C1900 when it had reached its maximum size of fifty room spanning three floors. The final period of expansion culminated in a lavish scheme of internal decoration, which conformed to the design ideal of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Interior spaces were enhanced with wooden panelling; elaborate wallpaper, stained glass, delft tiles, beaten metalwork and carved details. John Firth, one of the original directors of the steel firm Thomas Firth &Sons Ltd in Sheffield, who sold in the 1930s and was by 1948 used for training Special Constables. It was adapted again in 1956 when it was turned into class rooms and annexed to a new secondary school built in the former gardens to the southeast. (1)

<1> ARCUS, 2007, Ordsall Hall, Retford, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Building Recording Report (Unpublished document). SNT5003.