Tideswell

Tideswell, another of our attractive Peak District market towns which is situated about 9 miles east of Buxton, and lies within the National Park itself. It has a main street, commercial road, which has an array of small but inviting shops, whilst at its centre, the crowning glory must go to the Cathedral of the Peak, a rather unofficial title given to the grand Church of St John the Baptist. When viewed from any of the surrounding hills, this beautiful 14th century "Cathedral" dominates this beautiful landscape.

Cathedral of the Peak

According to some records in its history, the village of Tideswell is said to have derived its name during the mid eleventh century, where there lived a man known as Tidi. He is thought to have owned an important well, or spring. It is here that the origins of the village name started: Tidiswell.

The village has had royal connections in the past, when during 1275, King Edward I stayed here whilst hunting in the Royal Forest of the Peak.

Tideswell has had its market charter since the year 1251, and during the period that followed, it became a centre for the trade in wool and lead. Sadly, the market has fallen into decline, and the once thriving market is alas no longer held. The area surrounding the market place, has a large number of quite attractive buildings dating from the eighteenth century, architecture that can be best viewed by walking along Alma Road via St John's Road and the town's main street, Commercial Road. In general, the town is filled to overflowing with architecture from many periods, where for this alone, it is worth a lengthy visit.

More recently, and as with most peakland towns and villages, many of the people who live around here, either worked with livestock as farmers, or, for any one of the many quarries, mines and rakes within in the limestone and fluorspar industry that still exist within the area. Although such businesses are still carried out here today, tourism plays a very important role towards the incomes of many local people.

The beautiful countryside around Tideswell is steeped in history, and is best explored on foot, where the opportunity for walking the Dales should not be missed. To the south of the town, there are the riverside walks of the Wye valley to explore, and above, the old Derby to Manchester Midland Railway line, now dedicated as part of the Monsal Dale Trail. Also nearby, are the pretty villages of Wheston, approximately one mile to the west, in which you will find the shafts of two fifteenth century crosses and some very early farm buildings. Litton lies to the east, at just over a mile away over the tops. It has its own set of stocks, placed there for those inhabitants in days long past who were foolish enough to break the law. It is situated on the attractive tree-lined village green.

Each year, Tideswell's population swells during the summer months, when people from near and far join in with the festivities of Wells Dressing Week. The art of Wells Dressing is kept alive by local volunteers who laborously decorate four wells, or springs, for display on the Saturday nearest St John the Baptist day, June 24th. During this week, the village holds its carnival and a wonderful torchlight procession that brings the week to a close.

 Itinerary : 
Tideswell can be reached via the A6 from Buxton, taking the B6049 Millersdale turning, after travelling approximately 5 miles. Alternatively, leave Buxton via the Waterswallows road, the Buxton to Sheffield Turnpike route, and head towards Wormhill. At Hargatewall, the road turns right for Wormhill, instead, carry straight on, soon this road dips to pass across Monk's Dale and continues all the way into Tideswell. This is a beautiful way to get to the town, for it offers spectacular scenery that you will want, no doubt, to investigate more closely. There are also regular buses from Buxton to Tideswell with connections for Castleton, Bakewell, Chesterfield and Sheffield.

To explore the area more easily, it will be best to consult the 1:25000 series of maps. These give a scale of 2 1/2 inches to 1 mile and show all public rights of way across fields and tracks, a boon to those who wish to get to know this area more intimately.

Bakewell

Bakewell, the capital market town of the Peak District National Park which is dominated by the early twelfth century parish church of All Saints. It stands in a position that commands wonderful views across the valley of the Wye. Recorded in the Doomsday records as Badeqvella, Bakewell has a very interesting history that spans across the centuries, indeed, from the Iron age settlers, who first lived above the town to the north, through to the period of the Roman occupation of this region. However, the town has gained present day world-wide recognition more from a rather tasty delicacy, than anything else and known as the Bakewell Tart.

Bakewell is also a very busy market town, the charter being granted in 1254, though trading is thought to have taken place here long before this date. The town is well-known in the area for its very popular annual Agriculture Show, which is held during the month of August. This 3 day event shows off the pride of its farming community livestock, Equestrian events, plus a host of other modern day attractions, Flower Arranging, Cage Birds, Home Produce, Antiques and Collectibles, Handicrafts and Dog show. There is also music and live Radio broadcasts to cover this very important, and highly successful Derbyshire country show.

Visitors should take the time to explore some of Bakewell's beautiful early architectural heritage, including All Saints Church, located on the hillside to the west of the town, and dates from the Norman period. The churchyard contains a fine examples of Saxon Crosses. Bakewell Bridge, which spans the river Wye and carries the road to Chesterfield, is thought to date from the early part of the thirteenth century, and may be the oldest of its kind in the country. The Market Hall, which is from the seventeenth century, is currently used as the Tourist Information Centre for the whole of the Peak District National Park. Unlike the early houses of the White Peak which are constructed from the Limestone, Bakewell's architecture is made from the local Gritstone of which there are many fine examples to see.

 Itinerary : 
Bakewell is very nicely situated for visiting Chatsworth House, Park and Gardens. And along with Haddon Hall, which is set further along the A6 just Southeast of the town, both are very well signposted for the guidance visitor.

Bakewell is situated along the A6 and 12 miles Southeast of Buxton. The town is served by regular buses to and from Buxton, Chesterfield and Derby. There is a fine array of shops to explore in quiet lanes, side road and along the main A6. There are numerous establishments where the visitor can secure fine food and refreshments.

Taddington

Taddington, is a village that returned to peace and quiet, the moment the bypass took all of the noisy traffic away from its original course, through the heart of the village itself.

This area is ideally suited to those who enjoy walking and exploring the countryside. The landscape is one that offers surprises at every turn. It is crossed by many public footpaths, the ideal medium if the visitor wishes to see the "real" side to life around the Peak District.

The church was built in the fourteenth century, and is worthy of exploring. Whilst high above the village, to the west, is the Five Wells Tumulus and a Chambered Cairn.

 Itinerary : 
Taddington is a small village, not far from Monsal Dale and Taddington Dale itself. These are marvellous places to make use of a camera, or, painting and drawing materials. The magnificent high hills that surround the Wye valley and indeed, the A6, is truly awe inspiring. A walk beside the river Wye can be very beneficial to the health. The calm flowing waters are very relaxing, as they glide through this truly spectacular scenery.

Taddington lies within the Peak District National Park, and is only a few miles from Buxton on the A6 along the road to Bakewell. The village is served by a regular bus service

Monyash

Monyash is a pretty little village, situated within the Peak District National Park, one that owes its history to the mining of Lead. Although only small, it has its own parish church of St Leonards. And just like a few other Peakland villages, it too, has a picturesque pond at its heart. Monyash also celebrates with its own Well Dressing during the first week in June. Between the years 1983/84, the whole of the parish of Monyash was archaeologically surveyed, this, by a team working under the leadership of members of the Derbyshire Museums Service and the MSC. Many things were found to be of great importance to the history of this area, including two pieces of a Saxon Cross. (Now on display in Buxton museum).

The village also makes a great vantage point for entry into Lathkill Dale, within a short walking distance to the east. This is one of Derbyshire's most beautiful Limestone dales, and has, for most part, a river running through it. This dale also has a number of enticing caves and mines along its length. Please, be very careful if you're thinking of entering such places. These are dangerous, even when you have experience and are equipped with adequate lighting, clothing and footwear. Try not to venture into these alone, and be sure that someone knows where you are, and what time you're expected to return.

The whole area is teeming with a fantastic array of wildlife, and is crossed by many public footpaths. And so, for those with a special interest in Birds, Wildflowers, Insects and other members of our natural world, they should be richly rewarded by what is discovered.

 Itinerary : 
For the dedicated walker, the course of The Limestone Way passes directly through Monyash, part of the 28 mile/44 km route between Matlock to the Southeast, and Castleton in north Derbyshire.

To reach Monyash from Buxton, take the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road. After about 6 miles, you'll pass a large hotel on your left, The Bull-i'-th'-Thorn. After a few hundred yards, turn left when the B5055 is reached. This road brings you directly into the village after about 1 mile. An alternative route can be made via the A6 from Buxton, then turning onto the B5055 in the centre of Bakewell.

Link : Monyash Festival

Hartington

The "White Peak" village of Hartington is growing in its popularity with walkers and ramblers. For nearby, is the Tissington Trail, the disused Railway line that runs between Buxton and Ashbourne, and used by cyclists, horse riders and walkers as a means to explore this attractive area of Derbyshire's Limestone country and the Peak District National Park.

Hartington is only a small village, and from its history, is first noted in the Doomsday records as "Hartedun". It has its own pond, green and a market square, although it no longer has its own market. It is in the village, that the only surviving cheese factory, still makes the world famous Stilton Cheeses.

The Old Cheese Shop, Hartington

Hartington's architecture is rich, varied and well worth investigation, of which, Hartington Hall, built in 1611 and is now the Youth Hostel, is particularly attractive. Today, Hartington also celebrates Well Dressing during the late summer, on the second Saturday in September.

Hartington Youth Hostel

Nearby, the visitor will find Beresford Dale and the river Dove. This is where the seventeenth century angler and poet, Charles Cotton, first introduced Izaak Walton to the Peak District. Thereafter, the two produced their well-known joint publication, The Compleat Angler.

 Itinerary : 
To travel to Hartington. From Buxton, take the A515 towards Ashbourne. After about 10 miles, turn right, onto the B5054 which brings you directly into the village after about 2 miles.

Castleton

Castleton, a charming little village nestling in the Hope valley and within the Peak District National Park. The northern edge of the "White Peak" Limestone geology, forms a backdrop to this very pleasant locality. To the west, the lofty peak of Mam Tor, known as the Shivering Mountain, with its Iron Age hill fort, stands as guardian to the western approaches.

Looking north, the visitor will see Hollins Cross, Back Tor and Lose Hill, which mark the landscape of the Dark Peak and the gritstone moorland of the Pennine hills beyond.

Overlooking the village, are the ruins of a castle which dates from 1176. The original castle that stood here prior to this date, was under the tenure of William Peverel, from whom Peveril Castle derives its name.

Peveril Castle - 2005

The parish church of St Edmund, houses its own library of around 600 books. These were left to the use of the parishioners, in 1817, by the Rev Frederick Farran. Nearby, is the Market place and green, complete with its group of attractive dwellings.

Many visitors who come to Castleton, do so, with the desire to explore some of its famous caves. There is the "Blue John Cavern" which owes its fame to the special purple-blue coloured fluorspar, mined to make beautiful semi-precious ornaments and jewellery. Blue John, is only known from this single area, and nowhere else in the world. The cavern is open to the public, and its length is 4180 feet / 1274m.

The Winnats Pass and Speedwell Mine - 2005

The Speedwell mine and cavern, is situated along the road known as The Winnats Pass. It offers the visitor the opportunity to travel along the old workings...by boat. Although the visitor will only travel as far as the Bottomless Pit, there are in fact around 3.5 miles / 5.7 km of twisting subterranean passages throughout this system.

Mamtor and Treak Cliff - 2005

Treak Cliff Cavern, is situated on the opposite side of the hill, to that of the Blue John Cavern. As such, it also has the famous Blue John stone within its labyrinthine passages. There are also Stalagmites, which form up from the ground, and Stalactites which hang from the roof. These formations have taken millions of years to grow to the lengths we can see today. This is the result of water finding its way down through tiny fissures in the Limestone. Each drop carries minute particles of Calcium Carbonate, and it is these particles that will eventually become the formations that are a joy to see. The visitor will only walk through a small part of the cavern's passages. The known length in total at present is, 1000 feet / 305m.

Close to the centre of the village, is Peak Cavern. It has a most impressive entrance, which at one time saw rope makers busily carrying out their task, just inside this great opening in the rock face. The visitor will walk about a mile into this cavern, but beyond, the total length of passages is an incredible 5.5 miles / 8.9km.

There are many lovely walks around the village, including Cave Dale below Peveril Castle. Castleton was an area of great mining activity in the past, and many relics of that era still remain in situ. There is the Stone Crushing Circle opposite the entrance to the Odin Mine. These can be seen by taking the road west, about 1 mile, towards Mam Tor.

Visitors come to the village all year round, and during the weeks before Christmas, the main street is brightly lit with hundreds of colourful lights.

 Itinerary : 
Castleton can be reached from Buxton in either of the following ways :
Buxton north via the A6. Beyond Dove Holes, take the right turning for Sparrowpit and Peak Forest on the A623. At the Wanted Inn, bear left and direct right onto the B6061 and continue down the Winnats Pass, which is steep at 1 in 4, until Castleton is reached after a total of 12 miles. Alternatively, travel using the directions for Tideswell via the A6. Beyond Tideswell, remain on the B6049 going through the village of Bradwell to the junction with the A625. Turn left and keep on this road until you reach Castleton. This route is about 15 miles.

Link : Castleton Page

 Eyam

If one single village in the Peak District stands out from all the rest, for its courage in its historical context, it must be Eyam. For it was during the summer of 1665, that a local Tailor, George Viccars, had received a bundle of cloth from London, a bundle that was to bring horror and death from the city, the plague was about to sweep among the people of this unsuspecting Peakland village.

When people began to die, panic took over, and some fled the village in fear of their lives. The local Rector, William Mompesson and his colleague, Thomas Stanley, talked to the villagers, to calm them, and to try and prevent the plague from escaping into the surrounding county. William secured help of food and other supplies, from the Earl of Devonshire. These items were arranged to be left at a boundary stone, or at Mompesson's Well. Eventually, the plague was contained and eradicated, but not before it had claimed the lives of 260 of the 360 villagers.

Today, Eyam is still a fairly small village, but one that offers much to see from a tourists viewpoint. Cucklet Delf, to the west, was one of the places where Mompesson felt it was safe to hold his outdoor services, at a time the Church had to be closed. The parish Church of St Lawrence itself, is a very fine building of Saxon origin. There is a Sundial on the south chancel wall, which at one time was situated over the entrance door. The village also has many fine buildings with architectural features, providing the visitor with much to look at. Rebuilt in 1676, Eyam Hall has been home of the Wright family for over 300 years.

Traditionally, Eyam has 3 Wells dressed on the last Saturday during August. And a Church service is held in Cucklet Delf on Plague Sunday, this weekend of the Well Dressing.

The area around Eyam, has many Caves and Potholes, for those with a subterranean interest. Whilst for those who enjoy walking, there are several very interesting villages closeby. Foolow, Grindlow and Great Hucklow are to the west of Eyam. Stoney Middleton is to the Southeast, and also has the Well Dressing ceremony with four being dressed on the fourth Saturday in July. Froggatt is in the east, and Grindleford to the Northeast.

 Itinerary : 
Eyam is reached from Buxton via the A6, then the B6049 through Tideswell turning right at the A 623 continuing towards Stoney Middleton until the signposted turning for Eyam is reached. The route is about 14 miles.

 Ashford in the Water

Ashford-in-the-Water, a most picturesque Peak District National Park village that lies beside the river Wye, along the main A6 road to Bakewell. This area presents a very beautiful and scenic landscape, one with many footpaths to enable the visitor to explore these idyllic surroundings, much of which is so typical of this corner of Derbyshire.

Ashford has the main part of its history in the making of Black Marble ornaments, jewellery and small items of furniture. Though not a true marble, it does polish very well to a high quality finish. This black stone was inlaid with other minerals such as Fluorspar, Lapis Lazuli, Oakstone, Rose Quartz and Malachite, to name but a few, to resemble floral and other decorative patterns. This marble was quarried locally at the Rookery, and was cut at a mill, that at one time stood between the A6, and the river Wye. This craft was once worked throughout the whole area, and indeed, visitors to Buxton's museum can see many splendid examples of this fine stone workers' art.

The village also has its architectural heritage in the shape of its fine buildings, and also, the well-known and much photographed, Sheepwash Bridge. The oldest house, is that of the Corn Mill, noted in the Doomsday records. The village shares the Derbyshire tradition of Well Dressing during the summer. 6 wells are dressed on the Saturday before Trinity Sunday.

The parish church of All Saints was rebuilt during 1869 on the site of a much earlier Norman structure.

 Itinerary : 
Ashford-in-the-Water is easily reached from Buxton via the A6. The village is well signposted, and approximately 1 mile before you reach Bakewell. There is a good bus service on this route.

 Ashbourne

Once every year, the people of Ashbourne celebrate the strangest of country rituals, that of their Royal Shrovetide game of football. Not just any old game of football, but one where the participants can be anyone with a mind to join in. Its rough and tumble action takes place between the water mills of Clifton and Sturston (goal posts) on Henmore Brook, which are 3 miles apart.

The teams are usually comprised from the following. Those born north of the brook, are known as the Up'ards, whilst from the south, the Down'ards. Most of the game is played in the brook itself, and over a period of 2 days, beginning on Shrove Tuesday, ending Ash Wednesday. Of course, there is much more to the delightful town of Ashbourne, than a game of football. It is set in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, just outside the Peak District National Park. It has a busy market place surrounded by an interesting mix of old and modern architecture.

Church Street is dominated by the thirteenth century Church of St Oswald, and has a spire 212 feet high. Among other fine buildings on this street are; The Old Grammar School, which was built in 1585 and founded by Queen Elizabeth 1. And the Mansion House, where Dr. Samuel Johnson frequently stayed during the eighteenth century. It was in 1745, that Bonnie Prince Charlie was a guest at Ashbourne Hall before marching on Derby. The Hall forms a part of what is now the public library.

There is a variety of good shops in which to browse and make a purchase, along with pubs and restaurants to satisfy your hunger and thirst.

 Itinerary : 
Ashbourne is about 20 miles south of Buxton along the A515. The journey to the town is very scenic, with many places where you can stop to take in the views. The small village of Fenny Bentley, is the only one passed through, along the whole 20 mile route between Buxton and Ashbourne.

 Matlock

Matlock, is an attractive town situated along the Derwent valley, and astride the A6 Buxton to Derby road, one that receives a great many visitors most of the year. Along with Matlock Bath, it has many tourist attractions. Matlock also has a variety of good shops to explore.

Among its tourist attractions is Riber Castle, which is perched high above the town, and can be seen long before Matlock is reached, when coming from the direction of Buxton. Despite its appearance, it was only built during the Victorian era by a local man, John Smedley. He also built a Hydropathic establishment, now the County Council's offices, and used the "Castle" as the family home. Nowadays, Riber Castle is just a shell, but the surrounding grounds form a well-known Zoo and fauna reserve, with many fine attractions.

The Midland Railway Company, once served the Derwent valley right the way through to Buxton. Now, the official line from Derby ends at Matlock. However, Peak Rail, supported by many volunteer workers, has re-opened the line as far as Rowsley, which operates through Darley Dale from Matlock. They have a mix of both Steam and Diesel locomotives on their trains, with which to ply their regular all year round service. The Railway can be used as a great means to explore the very beautiful surrounding countryside.

The towns of Matlock sit within the Limestone region, and as such, they have had a long history of mining and quarrying, for both Limestone and Lead. The miners even extracted Silver from the Lead ore, such was the high content of this precious metal. Throughout the steep sided gorge of the river Derwent, there many mines and caverns, and some are indeed, open to the public.

During the late Summer and into Autumn, Matlock Bath puts on a beautiful annual display of Illuminations, including fireworks and music at the weekends. Here, the town is built onto the hillside, and a steep walk will take you to the Heights of Abraham, and the Victoria Tower, where you will find the most breathtaking views. Here, it's easy to see how it got its name, "Little Switzerland".

The visitor will also find walks through the Derwent Gardens, beside the river, or, the famous Lovers Walks. There is also the Mining Museum, the Aquarium and the Petrifying Wells. There are many shops here too, along with cafes and restaurants.

 Itinerary : 
Once again, Matlock and Matlock Bath are towns reached via the A6 Southeast from Buxton on the route towards Derby. The distance is about 20 miles and is well served by buses along this route.