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The Heart of a Peak District Community
Harpur Hill
 Ferneydale From Harpur Harpur Hill is sited on the southern
boundary of Buxton itself, an area that affords some breath-taking
views across the town and countryside beyond. Apart from its physical
attraction, there is little to concern the casual visitor at Harpur, as
it is locally known. Once a coaching inn, the Parks is the sole public
house for refreshment, although there are one or two shops. |
The Quarry, Hindlow
Such was the demand for living accommodation
for quarry workers, stone-built terrace houses were made available,
however, homes for the less well off were carved out of the old lime
ash dumps. Some years ago, one of the world's largest kilns
over-shadowed the village for many years. The Hoffman kiln, as it was
known, had a chimney measuring 170ft in height. Finally, and in more
recent times, this was demolished and removed from the skyline forever.
Harpur still has its centre for industry, where the goods railway line
offers a lifeline between the Hindlow quarry with the outside world.
This is also the location for the remains of one of the areas earliest
railway companies, The Cromford and High Peak Railway Company, whose
disused trackbed twists and turns as it winds its way northwards
towards Whaley Bridge and its canal, having arrived here from Cromford
wharfe and its canal far away to the south-east below Matlock.
During the second world war, the RAF dug tunnels into the limestone
hill for the storage of its bombs. Since that time, it was used to grow
mushrooms, where many a local from Buxton and district found
employment, until it closed down some years ago. Now, these tunnels
have found a new lease of life storing foodstuffs and are close to the
large modern trading estate. This area is largely open and wind-swept,
and yet it still offers grand views across the landscape on a bright
sunny day.
Buxton's weather station, owned and managed by Michael Hilton, can be accessed from this
website,
and is at Harpur Hill. Not only does it provide locals and visitors
alike with current weather conditions, it also features a webcam that
offers a view across the town towards Burbage Edge and the north-west.
Harpur Hill Street
St James Church
View Towards Harpur Hill From Solomon Temple - July 2007
Harpur Business Park - July 2007