Local Villages

The Peak District has absolutely no shortage of beautiful villages and small towns. Being a National Park, further development is unlikely, so each community found here is like a preserved piece of nostalgia in the form of historical stone houses, churches, pubs and bridges.

Bakewell

The pretty market town of Bakewell is famous for its puddings! The pudding was accidently created at the Rutland Hotel when a cook misinterpreted the instructions. There is a traditional stall and cattle market every Monday where visitors are welcome to sit and watch the local farmers bidding. There is a public swimming pool, The Old Museum and it is home to Bakewell Agricultural Show which takes place in August. It is home to one of the largest farmers markets in the country which takes places every last Saturday of the month.

Hartington

An important village since the Middle Ages, Hartington was granted a market charter in 1203 by William De Ferres and became a major centre for a large rural population from the many isolated farms in the surrounding area. A pretty village at the northern end of Dovedale, the village is set in some of the very best walking country.
Hartington's past wealth and importance can be seen in the impressive stone cottages and houses around the village square and many ancient routes and trackways still meet in the village, although it has been years since a market has been held. One of the most impressive buildings in the village is Hartington Hall, now the local YHA. Dating back to 1611, the manor house still retains much of its original character and is one of the most popular youth hostels in the Peak District, with a restaurant open to the public serving locally sourced produce.
The scenery in and around this charming old limestone village is outstanding. The village is centred around the spacious square, with the much-photographed duck pond as a focal point. There are some fine old buildings, including the Charles Cotton Hotel, St. Giles Church, the Market Hall and Hartington Hall. There is as a good selection of gift shops, cafes and pubs and there is a small pottery. The Hartington creamery is unfortunately now closed but the adjacent speciality cheese shop remains and indeed thrives. .
Things to do; This popular village is surrounded by beautiful scenery with a network of footpaths radiating from it. To the south is romantic Beresford Dale, leading to Wovescote Dale and the famous Dovedale or venture north, in the Upper Dove valley on quieter paths to Pilsbury Castle and Crowdecote.

Eyam

Step back in time in the atmospheric setting of Eyam, known to visitors and residents alike as the 'Plague Village'.

Immerse yourself in the incredible story of its unselfish villagers, who sealed themselves off from the outside world in the 17th century to prevent the deadly disease from spreading to neighbouring communities.

Trace the fascinating tale of how the Plague was brought to the White Peak village in a bolt of infected cloth from London in 1665, taking in key locations such as the church of St Lawrence, Plague Cottages, Cucklet Delf and - just outside the village - the Riley Graves and Mompesson's Well. You can also find out more at Eyam Museum, open from March to November.

In the heart of the village, you'll find historic 17th century Eyam Hall, which was built just six years after the Plague subsided and was home to the Wright family for more than 11 generations.

Now managed by the National Trust, Eyam Hall is a fine example of a Jacobean manor house with its embroideries, engravings and library, plus walled garden with seasonal borders, vegetable plots and open, spacious lawns.

Next door you'll find a courtyard with a craft centre selling everything from Hartington cheese to handcrafted jewellery, while The Buttery serves light refreshments and lunch.

Opposite the hall are the village stocks, mainly used by Eyam's Barmote Court to regulate the wrong-doings of local lead miners.

The nearby church of St Lawrence dates back to Saxon times and has an original font and Norman pillars, thought to rest on Saxon foundations. The oldest and most striking feature of the churchyard is its eighth-century Celtic Cross. One of the best-preserved examples of its kind in the country, it is decorated with a mixture of Christian and pagan symbols and may have once been a wayside preaching cross.

Ashbourne

Ashbourne is a market centre for the surrounding area and has been since it was first granted a charter to allow stalls in its market place in 1257. Today it still has a market on a Thursday and Saturday. Ashbourne has numerous historical buildings and many independent shops and is famous for its historic annual Shrovetide football match.

Little Longstone 

Little Longstone is a tiny hamlet situated between Monsal Head and Great Longstone. It consists of some pretty cottages, a fantastic pub and a manor house. It also has some village stocks which are in a good state of preservation.

Buxton

A beautiful spa town, 8 miles away. Visit The Crescent, The Devonshire Dome, Pavilion Gardens and Pooles Cavern.  The Opera House is a fine Victorian theatre hosting many productions and is famous for the annual Buxton Festival that is internationally renowned. The festival is on at the same time as Buxton Well Dressing Festival and is usually held during the second week in July.

Great Longstone

Great Longstone village is between Monsal Head and Bakewell and is a stone throw away from the Monsal Trail, formally the "Great Longstone for Ashford" railway line that closed in 1962. Great Longstone is a great base to visit the Peak District and has lovely choices of holiday cottages and accommodation and is a bus journey or walk away from Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, Chatsworth and many other historical places. Great Longstone has fantastic services to offer the local residents and visitors to the village, including allotment gardens, village gardens and recreation grounds. The village has two pubs, a village shop, a local farm sourcing eggs, milk and yogurt and has a pre-school and primary school located in the heart of the village.

Tissington

Tissington is part of the estate of Tissington Hall, owned by the FitzHerbert family since 1465. It is a popular tourist attraction, particularly during its well dressing week. It also gives its name to the Tissington Trail, a 13-mile walk and cycle path which passes nearby. The Limestone Way, another long-distance path and bridleway, passes through the village itself.

Castleton

Lying in the lee of mysterious Mam Tor, locally known as the 'Shivering Mountain', Castleton is one of the most beautifully-situated villages in the White Peak. Whether you approach through the dramatic limestone gorge of Winnats Pass or from the Hope Valley, you'll appreciate the fabulous views created by its location on the cusp of the Peak District's breathtaking limestone and gritstone landscapes. Whatever the weather, Castleton has something to offer visitors of all ages at any time of year. If it's fine and you're feeling fit, climb the steep steps up to the atmospheric Norman ruins of Peveril Castle, completed in 1086 for William Peverel, a favoured knight of William the Conqueror. Castleton is the only place in the world where the semi-precious stone Blue John, unique to the Peak District and Derbyshire, can be found. Some of the finest examples - including the largest known single piece of Blue John, The Pillar, can be found in Treak Cliff Cavern, where you can also explore a fairy tale underground world of stalactite and stalagmites.