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Winster: Tourist Attractions and Places to Visit in the Peak District - Derbyshire, Staffordshire, CheshireA directory of tourist and visitor attractions near Winster in the Peak District area of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. Historic houses, churches, dams and reservoirs, theme parks, museums, railways and castles |
| Main Index | Accommodation | Food & Drink | Tourist Attractions | Towns & Villages | Outdoors | Geography & Maps | Features & Photos | Events & Links |
Visitor Attractions around Winster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| There has been a mill on the site of Caudwell's Mill at Rowsley for centuries, but the present building was constructed in 1874, by John Cauldwell. The mill was built for flour milling and continued in this as a family business until 1978, when it closed down. The mill is now owned and operated by Caudwells's Mill Trust Ltd and still mills flour - the last in the area to do so. The mill is an excellent example of a working 19th century mill, with water turbines powering the machinery. On the ground floor are roller mills (which replaced millstones here in 1885), and bagging equipment, plus a small shop at which samples of flour may be purchased. On the floors above are storage bins for the wheat, purifiers to separate out bran and sifters for grading the flour. Everything is in working order and the tour takes in all areas of the mill. In the outbuildings of the mill there is a small craft centre, including an artist's studio, and workshops for glass-blowing, ceramics and woodturning. There is an excellent (and cheap) coffee shop with good vegetarian food. Caudwell's Mill, Rowsley Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge
How to get there By Road: Rowsley is on the A6 between Bakewell and Matlock. To reach from Chesterfield take the A619 to Baslow and the B6012 through Chatsworth Park. From Sheffield, take the A621 to Baslow followed by the B6012. By Bus: The Trans - Peak Manchester to Derby bus goes through Rowsley and stops close to the mill. When is it open? Opening times for the mill are: Open every day 10am to 5.30pm, last entrance 4.30pm What does it cost? Admission £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for senior citizens and £1.25 for children aged 5-15(Children must be accompanied). Under 5s FREE. Conducted and pre-booked parties can be accommodated at any time of the year, by arrangement (phone 01629 734374 Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.caudwellsmill.co.uk/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Gulliver's Kingdom is a theme park for young families, in a situation overlooking Matlock Bath. Attractions include a chair-lift, log flume, mine train, lazy river ride, dodgems, animated Gullivers Travels ride and several family shows. There is a restaurant and shop facilities.
How to get there By Road: the theme park lies close to the A6 Derby-Matlock road in Matlock Bath. Car parking (pay and display) is available close by. By Bus: the Trans-Peak Derby-Manchester bus passes the door, as do several local buses. By Train: the Derby-Matlock line has a regular service and Matlock Bath station is about 400m from Gulliver's Kingdom. When is it open? Open Easter to end of October, 10.30am to 5.00pm. Weekends only in April, May and October, except for school holidays. Open Christmas. What does it cost? Adults £13.95/ Children £13.95/ Babies Under 90cm FREE/ O.A.Ps £12.95 Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/gullivers.php?parkname=Matlock_Bath | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Haddon Hall is the finest example of a medieval manor house currently in existence in England. The hall is one of the seats of the Dukes of Rutland and lies alongside the River Wye, just south of Bakewell. The manor of Haddon was originally in the hands of the Peveril family (just after the Norman Conquest), but was forfeited to the Crown in 1153. It then passed to a tenant of the Peverils, William Avenal, and was acquired in 1170 by Richard Vernon, who had married Avenal's daughter. The Vernons were responsible for most of the buildings at Haddon Hall, apart from the Peveril Tower and part of the Chapel, which were already there in 1170. The Long Gallery is the only significant part which was added later. In 1558 the heir to the manor, Dorothy Vernon, married (or as local legend says - eloped with) John Manners and the Hall has been in the hands of the Manners family ever since. It's interesting to note that the Hall has never been bought or sold. The Manners family became the Earls, later Dukes, of Rutland and they moved their main seat to Belvoir Castle, using the hall very little in the 18th and 19th centuries. The result was that it was almost unaltered since the end of the 16th century when the 9th Duke realised its importance and began restoration after moving there in 1912. The house is in a beautiful situation and is very well preserved - even down to kitchens straight from the 17th century - so it looks magnificent. The entrance courtyard still looks perfectly medieval, with gargoyles and crenelated walls. To the right hand side of the courtyard lies the Hall chapel, which looks much as it did in medieval times, and contains a beautiful carved alabaster retablo and pre-Reformation frescos which have been revealed from beneath the whitewash which hid them for centuries. Entering the main house you soon come to the highlight of the visit - a glorious 14th Century Banqueting Hall complete with minstrels' gallery, which looks exactly as it must have done 600 years ago. Next door there is the Dining Room - a fine oak paneled room with minature portraits of Henry VII and his Queen. Beyond this lies a Tudor period Long Gallery, constructed around 1600. From the steps at the end of the Gallery Dorothy Vernon is said to have eloped with her lover, John Manners in 1558. These steps lead out into the gardens (which are very fine) and down to the River Wye. Haddon Hall Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: The Hall lies just off the A6 and a car park is provided opposite the entrance to the Hall - price £1 per car. The A6 is a very busy road and crossing this can be rather unpleasant. By Bus: The Trans-Peak bus between Derby->Matlock->Bakewell->Buxton->Manchester goes right past the door, as does the R61 Derby-Bakewell bus. From Sheffield take the 240 bus to Bakewell and then pick up the Trans-Peak or R61 to get to the Hall. From Chesterfield take the 170 bus to Bakewell and then as for Sheffield. By Train: The nearest railway stations are Chesterfield (trains from Sheffield and London) or Matlock (trains from Derby). When is it open? Haddon Hall is open in April Saturday-Monday only, (except Easter when it is opne 6th - 10th April) and then from May every day to the end of September (except 3rd June), from 12.00 am to 5.00 pm (last entrance at 4pm) and Saturday-Monday in October. Also open daily 5th-19th December 10.30am - 4.00pm. What does it cost? Adult £8.50/ Concessions £8.50/ Children £5.50 / Family (2 Adults 2 Children) £27.50/ Regular visitor £18.00/ Car Parking £1.50 per car. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.haddonhall.co.uk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sculpted out of an outcrop of Dolomitic Limestone (most of the Peak is Carboniferous) on the high ridge above Brassington, Harboro Rocks are notable for their spiky outline, which can make them look really eery in misty conditions. They offer good quality, if short, rock climbs. The rocks are just off the High Peak Trail and there are no access problems. Daniel Defoe came here on his 'Tour through Great Britain' in the early 18th century and described a family living in Harboro Cave - a natural cavern in the edge which has been excavated by archaeologists who have found evidence of occupation from the Ice Age onwards. Harboro Rocks Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge
How to get there By Road: From Matlock travel south on the A6 to Cromford where you turn right onto the Wirksworth road. Head up the steep hill and at the top turn right to Middleton. At the cross-roads head straight across and then past the turning to Middleton Top. Take the next road on the right, after 1.5km, signposted to Longcliffe. Harboro Rocks are a further 3km along this road, on the right, above a disused factory. By Bus: there are regular buses to Brassington, from whence Harboro Rocks are a 1.5km walk. When is it open? Access land - no access restrictions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Heights of Abraham are a tourist centre strategically placed at the top of a spur on one of the bends in the River Derwent, high above Matlock Bath and opposite High Tor. The position is a fine one and the hillside is covered in beech woods which give some attractive short walks. The hilltop is crowned by the Victoria Tower which offers excellent views of the River Derwent below and the countryside around. There is a cable car up to the Heights, starting from just upstream of Matlock Bath railway station. The main feature of the Heights are two caverns which are open as show caves. Both of these, Rutland Cavern and Great Masson Cavern, are part natural and part lead mines. The Rutland cavern was known as the Nestus mine and is probably the oldest in the area, so old it may have been one of those worked by the Romans. It has several large chambers, a spring of clear water known as Jacob's Wishing Well, fine examples of fluorspar and other crystals and graffiti from the 16th century miners. The pick marks on the walls indicate that it was worked entirely by hand and some of the marks are almost certainly mediaeval. Great Masson Cavern lies further up the hill near its summit and is another of the oldest mines in the Peak, following the line of the Great Rake - a seam of lead which cuts across the Derwent valley and continues across the countryside for many miles. The cavern follows the vein and is initially quite narrow, before emerging into several larger chambers and exiting higher up the hillside. Heights of Abraham Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: the cable car is 200m from Matlock Bath railway station, on the A6 Derby-Matlock road just south of Matlock. It is simplest to park at the station car park and walk to the cable car station. By Bus: the Trans-Peak Derby-Manchester bus passes the cable car station and connects to Buxton and Bakewell. From Chesterfield, the 17 bus takes you to Matlock - then either take the train or pick up the Trans-Peak bus. By Train: regular trains run from Derby to Matlock, stopping at Matlock Bath. When is it open? Open from 24th March to 4th November, 10.00am to 4.30pm, (and normally weekends only outside these dates). What does it cost? Price includes both Cable Car ride and Cavern entry Adult £13.00/ Child (5-16) £9.00, under 5s free/ Concessions £9.50/ Family of 4 £39.00 / Senior Family (2 seniors + 2 children) £34.50 - additional children £8.00 Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.heightsofabraham.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The High Peak Trail takes the line of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway between Parsley Hey and Cromford. This railway is worth a brief description because of its unique nature. The line originally connected the canals at Whaley Bridge and Cromford, running up the Goyt Valley to Buxton and across the limestone plateau to Middleton by Wirksworth, then down to Black Rocks and down again to the Cromford canal in the Derwent Valley below. Built in 1830, it was one of the earliest railways in the country, and because of the hilly terrain it traversed it originally had 9 inclines where the trucks were hauled up or down the incline by stationery engines. The inclines are still visible but only one of the winding engines has survived - at Middleton Top, near Wirksworth. The best places to see the old inclines are at Middleton, at Sheep Pastures above the A6 at Cromford, and in the Goyt Valley - where the road above Errwood Reservoir now goes down one of them. The Goyt Valley section of the line closed as early as 1892, but the rest of the line continued in service as a unique part of the British Railways system until 1967, when it was a victim of the Beeching cuts. The line was purchased in 1971 by Derbyshire County Council and the Peak District National Park Authority and converted into a cycle track, and the trail makes a fine day out - probably more interesting than the more popular Tissington Trail. From Parsley Hay the line passes beneath the A515 and winds its way past the brick works at Friden and on to the south of Pikehall. Some of the high embankments are especially noteworthy and unusual - the engineering is more reminiscent of a canal than a railway. It then passes Minninglow and various industrial relics including the only old-style lime kiln still intact in Derbyshire. Further on it passes Harboro Rocks - the site of numerous archaeological finds from its caves - and various lime quarries and continues to the Hopton Incline. This was originally one of those with a fixed engine, but this was later removed and trains were hauled up this 1 in 14 incline by normal locomotives, making it the steepest such climb on the British Rail system. Beyond Hopton incline lies Middleton Top, where there is a visitor centre belonging to Derbyshire County Council and the Engine House belongs to Derbyshire Archaeological Society. The incline here is 1 in 8, so it's a steep descent to Middleton. The trail then continues past Black Rocks before descending the equally steep Sheep Pastures incline to the A6 and the Cromford canal by the Derwent. Cycle hire is available at Parsley Hay (tel: 01298 84493) and Middleton Top (tel: 01629 823204). High Peak Trail Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: If you want to walk or cycle along the trail then the best places to approach it are at Black Rocks, Middleton Top, Pikehall Station or Parsley Hey. Between these places suitable parking spots are few and far between. The B5035 from Cromford to Carsington and Ashbourne goes past Black Rocks. Cromford lies on the A6 Derby-Matlock road. Car parking is available. Parsley Hey lies just off the A515 road between Buxton and Ashbourne. Pikehall Station is just off the A5012 Cromford-Newhaven road. When is it open? Open all hours, no restrictions. What does it cost? No charge for the Middleton Top visitor centre. Some of the car parks are pay and display. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| High Tor is a lofty limestone crag which towers over Matlock Bath which used to be privately owned but now belongs to the local authority. This means that entrance is free, whereas at one time a fee had to be paid by visitors, including the climbers who scaled the sheer face of the crag to get there! The view from the summit area of the tor is very impressive, all the more so because the cliff edge is totally unfenced and even those with a head for heights are likely to find the drop unnerving. There is an excellent view of Matlock Bath and the Heights of Abraham on the opposite hill. For those with strong nerves a narrow walkway called 'Giddy Ledge' winds around a section of the cliff and even though this is not the highest buttress of the tor, the situation is impressive. Behind the tor summit are Fern and Roman caves, deep clefts in the rock which are not natural caves but lead veins which have been worked to a depth of up to 10 metres and a width of between one and two metres. These workings are undateable but are probably among the oldest in the area and may even be Roman in origin. Both 'caves' are accessible. Roman cave is well over 100 metres long and it is possible to walk along the bottom of it quite easily. At the south (railway station) end of the tor grounds there is the terminus for the cable car to the Heights of Abraham, the lazy way to ascend the hill on the opposite bank. This operates in summer months only. The park can be approached on foot from the railway station, or from the road to Starkholmes, but the best approach is to start from the Artists' Corner carpark on the A6, cross the bridge which is 100 metres upstream and enjoy the spectacular walk up the edge of the cliff above the River Derwent to the tor. High Tor, Matlock Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: the Heights of Abraham cable car station is 200m from Matlock Bath railway station, on the A6 Derby-Matlock road just south of Matlock. It is simplest to park at the station car park and walk from there. By Bus: the Trans-Peak Derby-Manchester bus passes the cable car station and connects to Buxton and Bakewell. From Chesterfield, the 17 bus takes you to Matlock - then either take the train or pick up the Trans-Peak bus. By Train: there is a regular train service from Derby to Matlock, stopping at Matlock Bath. When is it open? Open in daylight hours. What does it cost? No charge. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Mining Museum at Matlock Bath is owned by the Peak District Mines Historical Society, who also own and operate the Temple Mine opposite and Magpie Mine at Sheldon. All three are devoted to the history of lead-mining in the Peak. The museum is housed in the Pavilion building alongside the River Derwent - it's the former pump room of Matlock Bath from its days as a spa. The museum has a fine collection of old mining equipment and artefacts from the former lead mines of the area including several very impressive pumps of various types - the Derbyshire mines were plagued by water problems, so pumping was very important and a major contributor to the cost of extracting the ore. There are also some small mock-ups of sections of a lead mine complete with sound effects, and lots of illustrative panels explaining the history of lead-mining, how the industry developed and what the work of a miner was like. The geological section is very informative and has some fine specimens, and finally there's a cafe. It's well worth a visit. Temple Mine is just up the road opposite. It's actually a small former fluorspar mine rather than a lead mine, and was opened as recently as 1922 - quite a contrast with Rutland Cavern up the hill (at the Heights of Abraham). The display attempts to recreate the atmosphere within a small lead/fluorspar mine of this century, so it's interesting but don't expect anything very historical. There is a small railway for carrying out the ore, a chute and hopper system for taking the ore down to the lower level and a view of the mineral vein the miners were extracting. The kids can pan for lead or gold if they wish. Lead Mining Museum, Matlock Bath Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge
How to get there By Road: the museum lies alongside the A6 Derby-Matlock road in Matlock Bath. Car parking (pay and display) is adjacent. By Bus: the Trans-Peak Derby-Manchester bus passes the door, as do several local buses. By Train: the Derby-Matlock line has a regular service and Matlock Bath station is about 400m from the Museum. When is it open? The Lead Mining Museum is open all year, 7 days per week. Summer opening is 10.00am to 5.00pm, winter from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Temple Mine is open everyday in summer, 11.00am to 4.00pm, and weekends only 12.00pm to 3.00pm in winter. What does it cost? Entry to the Museum OR the Mine is £3.50 for an adult, £3.00 concessions, £2.50 for children and £10.00 for a family ticket. Entry to both the Museum AND the Mine together on the same ticket is £6.00 for an adult, £5.00 concessions, £4.00 for a child child and £15.00 for a family ticket. Admission is £2 for adults, £1.50 for children and OAPs and £4.00 for a family ticket. Combined tickets for the museum and the mine are £4.00 for an adult, £3.00 for children/OAPs and £7.00 for a family ticket. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.peakmines.co.uk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Masson Mills, sited on the River Derwent at Matlock Bath are Sir Richard Arkwright's masterpiece, a magnificent example of an early cotton mill - the main part was constructed in 1783. The mill closed as recently as 1991 and has been converted into a shopping village, with exhibition and conference centre, but it also has a working textile museum. If you are at all interested in the history of the local cotton industry then the museum is extensive and extremely interesting, with a wide range of machinery of all shapes and sizes. Much of it was from the Masson Mill and is still in working order, with working demonstrations taking place. Masson Mills Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: the Masson Mills lie on the A6 between Matlock Bath and Cromford. By Bus: The Trans-Peak bus (Nottingham to Buxton via Derby) goes past the mill, with an hourly service. By Train: The Mills are a walk of about 1km from Matlock Bath station, which has a regular service from Derby. When is it open? Open daily, Mon-Fri 10.00 - 16.00, Sat 11.00 - 17.00, Sun 11.00 -16.00. Closed Christmas Day and Easter Day What does it cost? Adult £3.00, Child (5-16) £2.00, Family £6.50, Concessions £2.50. School Groups £2.50 per child with accompanying adults free. Adult Groups (10+ minimum) £2.50 per person. Booking required for groups and guided tours. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.massonmills.co.uk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Middleton Top is the last surviving winding engine from the now defunct Cromford and High Peak Railway. The railway has now been converted into a cycleway - the High Peak Trail. The stationery engine was used to wind trucks up and down the Middleton Incline, which has a gradient of 1 in 8, and is a beam engine built by the Butterley Company in 1829 - these are the original engines for the railway began operation in 1830. Each engine cost 2000, a very large sum in those days, and the incline was in use until 1963. Outside the engine house you can see a pulley wheel under a grille in the centre of the track. There was a similar pulleys at the bottom of the incline and a loop of steel cable was attached around them. The wagons were then attached to this by chains and usually the engine would have one set of wagons descending the incline and another on the other track ascending - in order to counterbalance the load. A maximum speed of 8 miles per hour was permitted because it was very difficult to control a set of runaway wagons loaded with limestone. Also outside the engine house you can see a sample wagon from the old railway, and a short section of the original track, with a distinctive type of rail. Originally these were attached to blocks of stone rather than the usual sleepers. Middleton Top Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: from Wirksworth drive up towards Middleton by Wirksworth. As you arrive at the village, Middleton Top is signposted left, along the road which leads to Carsington and Ashbourne. By Bus: the R61 bus from Matlock to Derby goes close to Middleton Top. When is it open? The engine is now operated for visitors by its owners, the Derbyshire Archaeological Society, every first weekend between April and October, plus Bank Holiday weekends in summer - but compressed air is used rather than the original steam propulsion. What does it cost? No charge Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. Website: http://www.derbyshireas.org.uk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Peak Rail have re-opened a section of the former Midland Railway, running services between their base at Rowsley South Station and Matlock Riverside a distance of approximately 6km. The Midland Railway operated between Manchester Central and London St Pancras and was started in 1849, though the section through the Peak was not constructed until the 1860s. The section between Matlock and Buxton was closed in 1968 and much of it now forms the Monsal Trail. Peak Rail is operated and maintained by volunteers, who have rebuilt the section of the line between Matlock and Rowsley, which is now open to the public throughout the year. Matlock Riverside station is a short walk from the main Matlock station where regular services from Derby terminate. From there the line passes through Darley Dale (where there is a restored station with tea room and shop) to Rowsley, mostly alongside the River Derwent. At Rowsley Station there are numerous projects in progress - such as the LMS Carriage association, the Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway and the Heritage Shunters Trust. There is a tea room and a shop. Peak Rail also run courses to gain footplate experience, on which you can learn to drive a steam engine. Peak Rail Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: Rowsley South station lies just off the A6 road, about 2km south of Rowsley, between Bakewell and Matlock. Darley Dale station lies just off the A6 between Rowsley and Matlock, and Matlock Riverside station lies through Matlock Station near the centre of Matlock, just off the A6. By Bus: The Trans-Peak bus (Nottingham to Buxton via Derby) goes along the A6, with an hourly service, stopping near Rowsley South station, at Darley Dale and at Matlock By Train: there are regular trains from Derby to Matlock, from whence Matlock Riverside station is a short walk. When is it open? Trains run at weekends and holiday weeks all year, and every day except Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays during the summer holidays. What does it cost? Check the Peak Rail web site for the wide range of service available including simple train rides, steam cab rides, steam and diesel driving courses and onboard dining. STEAM & DIESEL All day Rover Tickets - Adult £7.50/ Senior Citizens £6.00/ Children under 3 years (maximum of two per paying adult) Free/ Children 3 - 5 years £2.00/ Children 6 - 15 years £4.00/ Family Ticket (2 Adults and up to 3 Children) £23.00 Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. See this link for more information on prices and opening Website: http://www.peakrail.co.uk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Robin Hood's Stride is a spectacular tor of gritstone rocks perched on a ridge between Harthill Moor and the Alport-Winster road. Legend has it that Robin strode between the tower-like stones at either end of the tor, but this is unlikely because they are 15 metres apart and the ascent of the towers is difficult - especially the southern one. An alternative local name is 'Mock Beggar's Hall' and from a distance it is easy to imagine the tumbled rocks and turrets being mistaken for fortifications, especially in semi-darkness or mist. But there are real fortifications nearby, for Harthill Moor Farm, which can be seen from the Stride, is built on the site of Castle Ring, an Iron Age fort. This is one of the forts built along the ancient track known as the Portway, which passed just alongside Robin Hood's Stride. The area surrounding Robin Hood's Stride contains traces of barrows, Bronze or Iron Age enclosures and hut circles, but the most visible monument is the stone circle known as the 'Nine Stones' (though in fact only four are standing) which lies about 200 metres to the north-west. This is another Bronze Age monument connected with the Portway, and is probably the most impressive in the area. Just to the north-east lies Cratcliff Tor, an impressive crag made up of huge blocks of gritstone and largely hidden by trees. As well as being one of the hardest gritstone climbing crags of the area it also has a hermit's cave, hidden by an ancient group of yew trees. This was probably inhabited around the 12th century and contains a fine crucifix carved out of the wall of the cave - it is in remarkable condition considering its age. Robin Hood's Stride Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: the B5065 road from the Ashbourne to the A6 just south of Bakewell passes below the Stride. It is possible to park at the road side and walk up from just below Cratcliff Tor. Alternatively, go into Elton and continue through the village towards Gratton but turn off right about 330m from the church, down a single track road. By Bus: the 172 bus from Bakewell to Matlock, via Yougrave, passes along the B5065 and you can walk to the Stride either from below Cratcliffe Tor, or from Elton village. When is it open? Access land, no restrictions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Stanton Moor is in a fine position overlooking both the Derwent and Wye valleys. Possibly it is for this reason that it was chosen as a centre by the Bronze Age inhabitants of the area, who have left so many traces of their occupation upon the moor. The moor contains at least 70 barrows as well as stone circles, ancient enclosures and standing stones and is of such interest to archaeologists that the whole area is now protected. However, don't go expecting anything on the scale of Stonehenge, or even Arbor Low - most of the monuments and remains are very small-scale and overgrown with heather. The best known monument is the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, which lies at the centre of the moor - a low circle of worn gritstone blocks in a lovely location. Just to the south is a small standing stone - the King's Stone - and these are probably only a small part of what was once some sort of ceremonial area. Most of the other famous stones around the moor are natural in origin - the Cat Stone, Cork Stone and Andle or Aingle Stone (which lies down to the west, below the moor) - but this has not prevented colourful legends accumulating about their origins or uses - mostly linking them with Druids, despite a complete lack of archaeological evidence. The eastern edge of the moor is now owned by the National Trust, and includes a strange square gritstone tower which was raised as a monument to commemorate the first Great Reform Act of 1832. Stanton Moor Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: turn off the A6 between Bakewell and Rowsley onto the B5056 Ashbourne road and turn left where the road to Youlgrave forks off right. About 500m further on, turn left again, to Stanton in Peak. Follow the road through the village and take the second turn left to get onto the moor. By Bus: the 172 bus runs from Bakewell to Stanton in Peak. From the village it is a brisk 1km (mostly uphill) walk onto the moor. When is it open? The moor is access land and there are no charges or restrictions. What does it cost? No charge Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| There are many fine churches in the Peak, but there are four that stand out from the rest. These are Tideswell, Bakewell, Hathersage and Youlgreave. Youlgreave was in the Domesday Book, and the first mention of the church was in 1150, when it was given to St Mary's Abbey in Leicester. However, it is quite likely that there was a church here in Saxon times. The Nave and North Aisle of the church are Norman and date from 1150-1170, but the arches above are early Gothic and it seems likely that the church was altered and added to over a period of years, with several changes in style. It is possible to see this by viewing the wall of the North Aisle from the churchyard. The chancel and South Aisle were added in the 14th century and the tower with its set of bells in the 15th century. The church was restored by Norman Shaw about 1870. Inside the church there are two fine mediaeval tombs in the chancel. The first is that of Sir John Rossington, dating from the 13th century. He lies, cross-legged holding a heart in his hands with his feet resting on a dog. It is a simple and moving monument. In the centre of the chancel is a later and more elaborate monument to Thomas Cockayne, a local man who was killed in brawl in 1488. He is represented in plate armour of the period, but the effigy is relatively small because he died before his father. In the North Aisle there is an altar with a beautiful alabaster reredos which is a memorial to Robert Gilbert and his wife Joan, who died in 1492. This was originally part of a tomb in the South Aisle and has been moved at some time. The aisle is dominated by a Jacobean memorial to Roger Rooe of Alport, who died in 1613 and is shown facing his wife with their eight children below. Just by the door as you enter is the font, which is Norman and very well-preserved. In the wall of the Nave, facing the door when you come in, there is a small carved figure which has been dated to the 12th century and which may represent a pilgrim. This is not its original position, and exactly what it represents is unclear, but it is very pretty. There is a fine East window, made by William Morris to a design by Edward Burne-Jones, one of the Pre-Raphaelites. The roof of the Nave is well worth a look. It dates mainly from the 15th century, but was restored in the 19th century. It is a good example of a roof of the period and has roof bosses in the form of coats of arms and fantastic creatures. Youlgrave Church Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
How to get there By Road: from the A6 between Bakewell and Rowsley, take the B5056 signposted to Ashbourne, and when this forks left to cross the River Lathkill, continue straight on to Youlgrave. From the A515 Ashbourne - Buxton road, either take the minor road which branches off at Parsley Hey or the minor road which branches off the A5012 close to its junction with the A515. By Bus: the 172 Bakewell - Matlock bus goes via Youlgrave, as well as the 171 Bakewell - Youlgrave service. When is it open? Normally open in day time. What does it cost? No charge. Prices and opening times are shown as a guideline only and may vary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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