Glossop

Long, long ago, the Peak District, close to the southern end of the Pennines was dominated by small bands of hunter gatherers. These nomads utilized the stone brought into this area during the last ice age, where by accident, or otherwise, they discovered how to work this stone and fashion it into weapons. This gave them not only a means by which they could dress and prepare the animals they killed for the pot, but also to defend themselves if they were subject to an attack by other nomads who may stray into their territory.

View of Glossop

Much later, groups of Celtic peoples began to filter into the Dark Peak area of the Pennines, and with them came the knowledge of manufacture and use of iron. These Brigantes, as they were known, sought out the highest points within the region to build their forts. The more familiar of these is at Mam Tor, to the west of Castleton and Castle Naze which is high above the present day village of Coombs, to the west of Chapel en le Frith. However, the centre of the kingdom of the Brigantes can be seen at Almondbury on castle hill, which is south east of Huddersfield in Yorkshire.

Over a long period of time, the whole country and more especially this region, saw the advance of another invader, the Romans. Not only did they bring with them the knowledge and expertise to build the country’s first roads, forts and buildings, but also a whole new way of life. This, along with their brand of civilization, came the laws with which they were to maintain order in what was now very much a part of the Roman empire. These Romans remained in Britain for at least four hundred years.

Glossop Signage

While they were here, it is said that Agricola was responsible for building Ardolatia (Melandra), a fort that is situated to the west of Glossop. This fort was directly linked to others within the area, Mamucium (Manchester), Navio (Bough) and Aquae Arnemetiae (Buxton).

Following the departure of the Romans, Britain was flung into chaos once more. When the Danes and Anglo-saxons eventually invaded Britain, they plundered, pillaged and sacked the towns and villages, killing anyone who stood in their way. For years, right up until the coming of the Norman Invasion, there was continual unrest throughout the land.

When William, Duke of Normandy conquered Britain in 1066, he sent out his clerks to make a note of all lands and property, the result of which was soon to become known as The Doomsday Book. At this time, most lands around Glossop was now owned by the Saxons, who were ordinary farmers, people who no doubt fled when they saw the French forces advancing upon them. Even with the Normans now in power, the people of Glossop were not out of the fire, so to speak. Glossop lies in what was a part of the Forest of the Peak, where William Peveril, a knight of King William, held court in the nearby Peveril Castle at Castleton, where he set about making laws to govern what could, and could not be done in the Royal Forest of the Peak.

Having come thus far in the historic background of Glossop’s past, there is far too much that occurred involving its people, to do anything but merely touch on its exciting history. A much better insight can be had by reading the splendid book, Glossop Dale, Manor and Borough written by J. Scott. J.H. Smith and D. Winterbottom. This book was published by the Glossop and district historical society and can be purchased at the Heritage centre in Glossop.

Glossop Heritage Centre

Today, the busy market town of Glossop forms the administrative centre for the Borough of the High Peak, where its town hall is situated on Chapel St, beside the marketplace itself and the popular indoor market hall. The present town was formed around the busy A57, which provides visitors with easy access from the city of Manchester, situated to the north west of the town, and the city of Sheffield that lies to the South East via the famed Snake Pass; a road that frequently becomes blocked and often impassable during harsh snowbound winter periods.

Glossop Market Hall

From a personal viewpoint, Glossop is not what can be typically seen as being a tourist attraction, and yet, it none-the-less does have quite a lot to offer any visitor who has the time to spare to have a good look around. Much of what can be seen in the town is the direct result of its links to the cotton weaving and spinning industry. Its Victorian heritage being quite obvious and is a testimony to the success of the cotton trade at this time.

The original town of Glossop, known as Old Glossop, lies towards the north east and is within a short walking distance of the town centre. Here the visitor can discover many striking buildings of architectural importance, some dating back to the seventeenth century. Here you will discover Glossop’s original marketplace, having received its charter in 1290, and there is a cross to mark the precise site, although the cross itself was added to the top of the column in order to mark the coronation of George V.

Old Glossop Church

Old Glossop is situated on the northern edge of the town’s attractive Manor Park, this is where one William Bagshawe (1628-1702), known as the Apostle of the Peak, preached to his parishioners in the nearby parish church of All Saints. It is at this point, that we must not forget that the town is set in some of the regions most delightful scenery. A landscape that is so typical of the Derbyshire Peak District, where views of surrounding hills and the open heather moorland can be seen according to wherever the visitor is standing at any given moment.

Overall, Glossop cannot ignore its links to the mighty Industrial Revolution, but at the same time this provided the town with its many lines of communication to the outside world. Trains are half hourly into Manchester, and buses travel along many routes to all other parts of the Peak District and the Peak District National Park itself.

Moon And Six Pence Sign

Glossop - Photo Gallery - July 2009