Every year on 12 May, the world celebrates International Nurses Day — a date chosen in honor of the birth of Florence Nightingale.

More than 200 years after her birth, Florence remains one of the most influential women in British history. Known as the founder of modern nursing, she transformed healthcare through compassion, discipline, education, and an unwavering belief that every human life deserved dignity and care.

But beyond the global legacy, Florence Nightingale’s story is also deeply connected to Derbyshire.

It was here, surrounded by the quiet landscapes of the Derbyshire countryside, that Florence spent much of her early life. Lea Hurst became both a family home and a place of reflection — somewhere she returned after the Crimean War carrying the physical and emotional weight of everything she had witnessed.

Today, visitors from around the world continue to travel to Derbyshire to follow Florence Nightingale’s story and experience the places connected to her life and legacy.

At Florence Nightingale Suites, we feel incredibly honoured to preserve a small part of that history.

Within the house, guests can discover historical details, objects, and stories connected to Florence and the world she lived in — reminders that history is not only found in museums, but also in places that still carry its atmosphere and memory.

And if you would like to experience this connection to history in person, you are always welcome to join us for:

— a stay at Florence Nightingale Suites
— Tea Time at Florence’s
— Florence House Sessions photo shoots

A quiet historic house in Derbyshire, inspired by heritage, thoughtful hospitality, and beautiful surroundings.