DISCOVER

CASTLETON AND THE HOPE VALLEY

Presented by the www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk website

Magnificent Scenery        Pretty Villages        Lovely Walks        Refresment Stops        Heritage Trails        Extensive Moorland        Kinder Scout        Longshaw Estate        Fascinating Places to Visit        Peveril Castle        Castleton's Caverns        Eyam Hall        Padley Chapel        Eyam Museum 

Accommodation

SITE MAP

Click the links below to find the pages required.

TOWN/VILLAGE FEATURES

Bamford

Bradwell

Calver

Castleton

Edale

Eyam

Foolow

Grindleford

Hathersage

Hope

Ladybower

Stoney Middleton

Yorkshire Bridge

TOWN/VILLAGE WALKS

Bamford

Bradwell

Calver

Castleton

Edale

Eyam

Foolow

Grindleford

Hathersage

Hope

Ladybower

Stoney Middleton

Yorkshire Bridge

PLACES TO VISIT

Blue John Cavern

Castleton Museum

Eyam Hall and Craft Centre

Eyam Museum

Longshaw Estate

Moorland Centre - Edale

Padley Chapel

Peveril Castle

Peak Cavern

The Round Building - Hathersage

Speedwell Cavern

Treak Cavern

Upper Derwent Visitor Centre

EVENTS

Oak Apple and Garland Day

Sheepdog Trials

Castleton Christmas Lights

Edale Country Day   NEW

Glossop Victorian Weekend       NEW

Eyam Plague Commemoration Service

TRANSPORT/GUIDED WALKS

Hope Valley Transport

Transpeak Walks

Further features to follow.


 

 

      Main Site        Newsletter

WELCOME TO CASTLETON

AND THE HOPE VALLEY

An independent profile of Derbyshire and the Peak National Park.

Frequently referred to, as the gem of the Peak, Castleton is one of Britain’s most appealing villages, set in a magnificent location with wonderful views in all directions. The area in which Castleton lies is often referred to as the Hope Valley, which contains some of the prettiest villages and finest scenery to be found in the country. Use this independent guide to find out more about this unique part of our heritage.

 

THE PLAGUE

 

Eyam is a special place as any tourist visiting the beautiful village for the first time, not knowing of its tragic history, rapidly becomes aware by reading the plaques on the walls of buildings. The people of this village once endured an epic struggle. In a period of only just over 12 months, from September 1665, 260 people died from the plague out of a population of about 800.

 

The plague started when George Vicars, a tailor, was lodging in one of the cottages next to the church. A packet of cloth arrived, but as it was damp after its long journey from London, he spread it out in front of the fire to dry. This released fleas concealed in the parcel, which were carriers of bubonic plague germs. The death of George Vicars was sudden, others soon followed, and the villagers started to panic.  

 

CAVERNS

 

Castleton is most famous for its caverns of which only Peak Cavern is a true cave. The others the Blue John, Treak and Speedwell are all situated nearby and open to the public. 

WALKING

 

The right to roam was severely restricted until the 1950s. Now that access to roam on the moors has been negotiated, subject to certain byelaws, the area is very popular with walkers. Tom Stephenson’s classic long distance walk, the ‘Pennine Way’ has its official starting point at the Old Nag’s Head, in the centre of Edale.

 

 

KINDER SCOUT

 

Kinder Scout, a plateau that covers five square miles and rises to a maximum of 2,088 feet, can be a very dangerous place. The weather can change quite suddenly from bright sunshine to thick mist, making it impossible to find your way without a compass.

 

LONGSHAW ESTATE

 

Extensive estate owned by the National Trust on the moors above Hathersage and is excellent walking country. It was once the Duke of Rutland's shooting estate, but is now open to the public.


 

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www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk is an independent, not for profit website.

 

No recommendation of any establishment is implied by inclusion on this website.

 

All details on this page were correct at the time of publication, but changes may be made without notification.

Public Transport

INFORMATION

1.  Castleton's new state-of-the-art information centre is situated on Buxton Road. It incorporates a museum in the building, that Castleton Historical Society use to feature a range of exhibitions, about village life through the ages. For further information: Tel/Fax 01433 620679 Email:casleton@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

2.  The Upper Derwent Water Visitor Centre, located in a beautiful setting at the northern end of Ladybower Reservoir. Tel. 01433 650953.

3.  The prestigious Moorland Centre, a new visitor and learning facility. Built at a cost of £1m the centre is roofed with sedum turf and heated from the earth and is the UK's first moorland research base. It replaces the former Field Head Centre at Edale. Tel 01433 670207                     Email:edale@peakdistrict.gov.uk.


SPECIAL EVENTS

Sheepdog Trials attract large crowds during the summer. At Christmastime, Castleton takes on a magical appeal with pretty lights, decorations and an array of Christmas trees, which draws visitors from far and wide. Oak Apple and Garland Day takes place at Castleton at the end of May every year. Many other events are held throughout the year details of which can be obtained from Castleton Information Centre, Moorland Centre and Upper Derwent Visitor Centre.


TRAVEL IN THE HOPE VALLEY

For information about travelling to the Hope Valley and High Peak by train or bus to enjoy the area's beautiful countryside and great family attractions, visit The Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership website at: www.hvhptp.org.uk.

Hope Valley Transport


THE DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE AND THE PEAK DISTRICT GUIDE

 

Provides a wide range of features  with heritage trails and detailed countryside walks, through some of the most scenically attractive countryside in the UK.

 

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What's New, What's Coming and What's On.

 

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