Peak District Villages

The Peak District is scattered with a potpourri of pretty villages and market towns containing stone-built houses and cottages established over several centuries, mainly constructed of locally sourced limestone and gritstone with occasional mellowed red brick imported from the south of the region.

Settlements became established on the banks of Peak District rivers to utilize water for domestic use or to harness its power for mills and commercial enterprise. It is known from archaeological remains that the rich and fertile pasture of the southern Peak District and sheltered hollows in the north of the region were cultivated and farmed thousands of years ago, with many Peakland villages thereby being formed. However, in the last couple of centuries transport has played an important part in the creation and expansion of Peak District villages, especially with the introduction of the railways during the 19th century.

Peakland villages come in all shapes and sizes from quaint little hamlets to a more modest residential sprawl, many striving to retain their community spirit and individual characteristics with age-old local customs and traditions that make Peak District villages so very special and a fortunate and often fortuitous place to live.

Our collection of ‘LetsGo’ websites are intended to inform and assist visitors and residents of Peak District villages through a wealth of information and a directory of references.

Bakewell is undoubtedly the capital of the Peak District National Park, receiving countless visitors each year who all marvel at its markets, take pleasure in walking around Bakewell’s individual and interesting shops or simply enjoy staying in an assortment of B&B’s, hotels, holiday cottages and camp sites. They often take advantage of fabulous walks and cycle paths around the town, as well as enjoying a range of visitor attractions and places of interest. Visit www.letsgo-bakewell.co.uk which is packed with information, advertisers and providers with a street by street guide to minimize your search.

Buxton considers itself to be the ‘gap’ in the Peak District National Park – look at a map and you will see that the boundary encircles the town. This is due to the hills immediately surrounding Buxton being exploited by quarrying for their mineral content, an unfortunate but essential necessity for the economic balance of the area and a constant demand for stone. www.letsgo-buxton.co.uk tells the true story of this attractive and architecturally fascinating town which serves as the cultural capital of the Peak District with its Festival Fringe, museums and galleries.

Eyam must surely be the most well-documented and visited Derbyshire village due to its history. Proud of its ‘Plague Village’ title, Eyam has worldwide fame and importance. However, living and visiting Eyam is not all about Bubonic plague and misery – the village rocks with mirth and merriment during Carnival Week and the annual Half Marathon and Fell Race attract runners from far afield. www.letsgo-eyam.co.uk contains details of Eyam Museum, Hall and Craft Centre as well as news, notices and local information.

Foolow is a traditional upland village on the fringe of White Peak countryside, surrounded by a network of drystone walls. Character cottages and houses are laid out around a central duck pond and medieval cross which have featured on many calendars and captured on film by visitors. www.letsgo-foolow.co.uk contains information about the village’s history and walks in the area as well as a gallery of local images.

Recorded in the Domesday Book with the name ‘Flagun’, Flagg is a traditional peakland village of linear construction, set amid a patchwork of rich pasture in the heart of the White Peak. Flagg ‘Point to Point’ Races are a unique event which date back to 1892. Held on Easter Tuesday, the course across walls, purpose-built hedges and farmland where dairy cattle normally graze, attracts a great deal of interest.  www.letsgo-flagg.co.uk is packed with information from news and views to local businesses, groups and clubs.

The village of Grindleford originated down by the banks of the River Derwent where a high arched bridge carried the turnpike road and tolls were collected at a little nearby cottage. However, with the introduction of the Hope Valley railway line in the 19th century, the village began to spread as commuters to Sheffield and Manchester settled in the area, grateful for the easy access by trains, and thankful for the construction of the Totley tunnel which is said to be the longest in the country. www.letsgo-grindleford.co.uk details the history of this fascinating village which is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and overlooked by a gritstone escarpment. Read also about the local customs and traditions and the annually held Grindleford Gallop!

Hathersage has many claims to fame, notably its connection to the writings of the Bronte sisters – Charlotte Bronte actually referred to the village in her classic novel ‘Jane Eyre’ in which she re-named it Morton. In the churchyard at Hathersage is the grave of Little John, friend and associate of Robin Hood, whose band of ‘Merry Men’ were said to roam through the oak trees in Sherwood Forest stealing from the rich and giving their proceeds to the poor. Hathersage attracts many visitors due to its stunning location on the edge of the Dark Peak moors, and the range of outdoor pursuits and activities to be found in the area. www.letsgo-hathersage.co.uk not only informs and enlightens readers to the goings-on in Hathersage, but also lists B&B’s, hotels, camp sites and cottages for those in search of overnight accommodation.

Monyash (or Many-ash’) was so named it is said because of the abundance of ash trees which grew there. Set in a natural hollow amid the rolling hills of White Peak countryside, Monyash is a friendly village with a strong community spirit and a thriving village school. Standing at the head of Lathkill Dale, Monyash receives many visitors who disappear during the day to walk some of the wonderful footpaths in the area, often descending on The Bulls Head or Smithy Tea Room on their return. www.letsgo-monyash.co.uk gives details of some local walks as well as information on the unique and interesting Derbyshire custom of Well Dressing.

Dissected by roads and rivers and surrounded by towering hills topped with moorland, the village of Rowsley was at one time divided into Great Rowsley and Little Rowsley. However, the village was finally amalgamated in 1987 uniting residents on either side of the River Derwent. With the wonders of Chatsworth just a short drive away, Rowsley attracts shoppers to its Peak Village retailer outlet as well as Caudwell’s Mill and Craft Centre. Scroll through www.letsgo-Rowsley.co.uk to read about East Lodge and The Peacock which are two of the finest hotels to be found in the Peak District, as well as finding out more about the history and heritage of this lovely little village.

Tideswell is famed for its wonderful church – St John the Baptist in the centre of this large and rambling village is known as The Cathedral of the Peak and rightly so. Surrounded by a labyrinth of narrow roads, lanes and ginnels, Tideswell is packed with a wealth of properties that simply ooze charm and character. www.letsgo-tideswell.co.uk has a section dedicated to historical buildings as well as information on local entertainment, family activities, facts and features.

Baslow is a busy village, being at a junction of main roads. Divided into parts known as Over End, Nether End, Bridge End, West End and Far End, Baslow has always thrived on its close proximity to Chatsworth as well as being a convenient and appealing location to live. Dotted about amongst the character cottages you will find mansions and select residences, exclusive hotels with ‘Michelin Starred’ dining rooms and a string of superb and original shops and galleries. www.letsgo-baslow.co.uk has information on local pubs, recreational facilities and restaurants as well as what has happened and will happen with events in Baslow.

Bradwell is surrounded by spectacular hills with a rich heritage that includes hill forts, a Roman camp and an ancient defensive ditch. However, more famous than all these is the delicious and delectable Bradwell’s Dairy Ice Cream which was invented in the front parlour of a tiny Bradwell cottage by Grandma Hannah Bradwell over 100 years ago. Little did she know that her ice cream would later be sold in shops and supermarkets throughout the land! Learn more about Bradwell’s history, its present day and plans for its future by visiting www.letsgo-bradwell.co.uk.

The White Peak village of Sheldon owes its existence to the fertile land that surrounds it and the rich veins of lead ore which lay below the surface. The village mainly comprises of farmhouses and cottages dating from the lead mining heyday of the 18th century. However, a further boom resulted in Cornish miners migrating to Sheldon and increasing its population by twenty-five percent in 1861. With Magpie Mine as a nearby landmark and Great Shacklow Woods descending steeply down to the River Wye in the valley below, Sheldon is a sleepy little village with a quiet main street where time runs slowly and the only crowds can be found at the bar of the Cock & Pullet Inn. www.letsgo-sheldon.co.uk contains snippets of history and interesting facts that have put Sheldon on the Peak District map.