DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE

AND THE

PEAK DISTRICT

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GLOSSOP

THE FEATURE

Glossop situated in the far North West of Derbyshire, is set in some of the most beautiful scenery in the Peak District National Park. A busy, bright and modern town often referred to as the Gateway to the Peak, but it is much more than a gateway and is an excellent centre for exploring the north-western side of the Dark Peak. 

The best place to view Glossop, is from the Sheffield road, one of the highest and most desolate roads in the National Park, near where it emerges from the Snake Pass. From here you can look down on the town that nestles in a deep valley, surrounded by hills forming a natural amphitheatre.

Norfolk Square (courtesy Keith Bate)

Glossop is an ancient settlement, possessing evidence of occupation during Roman, Saxon, Norman and medieval times. In 78 AD, the Romans built a fort here, Melandra, the most northerly of three forts in Derbyshire. The fort was burnt down and abandoned 62 years later, and all that remains are the foundations. A significant step forward for Glossop came in 1290, when Henry III granted it a market charter.

The town has a dual identity. Originally there was just an ancient village, the centre of a vast, scattered parish that over the years grew steadily and is now called 'Old Glossop'. Early in the 19th century another village sprang up alongside the Glossop Brook. It was called Howard Town after the chief landowner, Bernard Edward Howard, the 12th Duke of Norfolk. Cotton manufacturing took place there on a rapidly increasing scale, so much so that the population increased six fold in half a century.

Glossop Town Hall (courtesy Keith Bate)

This was a time of enormous expansion and prosperity for Glossop, houses, schools and churches were built. The new town centre was developed around the distinguished looking Town Hall, erected in 1838. A Market Hall was constructed six years later, where markets are still held today. A number of delightful sandstone buildings were built around Norfolk Square, which together with its lawns, trees and flower beds considerably enhanced the appearance of the town.

High Street is tree lined and provides a wide diversity of traditional and individual shops. More shopping is provided by the very popular indoor and outdoor markets and the famous Bank Holiday markets. Visitors arrive from all parts to watch the town carnival, with its abundance of colourful and decorative floats that move in procession through the town streets to Manor Park. 

Glossop Market (courtesy Keith Bate)

Glossop Heritage Centre is situated at the top of Norfolk Square, facing the Town Hall and Market Arcade and is the place to visit to find out more about the history of the town. Here you find out how the town, its people and its setting have developed over ten thousand years. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions on display covering the town's development and local subjects of general interest.

Many of the visitors to the town are walkers, who use it as their base for hikes in the wild and beautiful countryside around Glossop. Walking in the Dark Peak can be quite strenuous, but if you pick up the excellent little guide 'Explore Glossop - Tours and Trails' you can enjoy three short heritage trails around Glossop and Hadfield. The latter as 'League of Gentlemen' fans will know, is the setting for Royston Vasey of the cult BBC TV comedy series.

Norfolk Street (courtesy Keith Bate)

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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EVENTS

Glossop's wide ranging festival programme offers something for everyone with a season of fun  weekends for the family, and evening concerts performances for music lovers. The Bonfire & Firework Display on the 5th November, is a great favourite. Starting from 5pm from Norfolk Square with a torchlight procession to Manor Park. Check the monthly 'What's On' page on this site, for information of major events held in the town.

SPECIAL EVENT

Glossop Victorian Weekend


LIVE PERFORMANCES

For more information contact:

The Partington Players - Info line: 01457 852066

Glossop Concert Society - 01457 853137

Glossop Choral Society - 01457 854949

GODS ( Glossop Operatic and Dramatic Society) - 01457 867248

The Globe - for live music - 01457 852417

 


ACCOMMODATION AND VISITOR ADVICE

For further information and holiday bookings contact the Tourist Information Centre at: Henry Street, Glossop, SK13 8HT Tel No: 01457 855920  -  Email: info@glossoptouristcentre.co.uk

Try the local website for more information: www.glossop.com


HOW TO GET TO GLOSSOP

Glossop is favourably positioned close to several motorways. It has a regular railway service from Manchester Piccadilly, and is well serviced by buses. For those visiting Glossop by air, Manchester Airport is only 18 miles away.


IMAGES

All the images on this page have been kindly supplied by Keith Bate who holds the copyright.

Carnival (courtesy K Bate)


PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE LOCALITY

Glossop Heritage Centre (Tel. 01457 869176) contains a permanent exhibition of Glossop’s history and changing exhibitions of general interest. A Victorian kitchen illustrates what life used to be like in this interesting old town. Please telephone for opening details.

The Upper Derwent Visitor Centre (Tel. 01433 650953) located at Fairholmes, close to the Derwent Dam. Fascinating facts can be found about the area through the interactive displays. Maps, books, postcards, souvenirs, drinks and light refreshments are also available. Picnic tables are provided outside. Please telephone for opening details or visit website.

Longdendale Trail commences at Hadfield and follows the disused Manchester to Sheffield railway line as far as the the Woodhead Tunnel. The trail runs parallel with the River Etherow and five reservoirs, through wonderful scenery, abundant wildlife and a wide range of vegetation.


GLOSSOP FOLK TRAIN

The train leaves Manchester Piccadilly station at 6.47pm on the fourth Thursday of every month, with some of the region's best musicians playing live on the train all the way to Glossop.

 


GLOSSOP SAILING CLUB

Based at Torside Reservoir, famed for its fresh breezes from the Pennines, which makes it an exciting place to sail. For more details email: secretary@gdsc.org

 


DISCOVER DERBY

A special new sub-section has been added to this website, based on the Discover Derby Supplement, published by the Derby Evening Telegraph during March 2005. The most recent additions are:

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Discover Derby

 

 

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