DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE

AND THE

PEAK DISTRICT

    HOPTON HALL SNOWDROPS

THE FEATURE

The magical sight of the first snowdrop provides the earliest sign of spring and with it the promise of better things to come. Snowdrops are very hardy plants and can arrive weeks before crocuses, even when there is snow on the ground they can be seen poking their heads above the ground. There are 75 different species, all white in colour, and have the Latin name of Galanthus, meaning 'milk-white flowers'. 

At Hopton Hall, visitors can indulge themselves early in the New Year viewing the spectacular display of snowdrops in the grounds of the hall. The grounds were first opened to the public earlier this century, and since then visitor numbers have increased dramatically, making it one of Derbyshire's most popular winter attractions. Proceeds from the snowdrop open days are used to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the gardens.

The picture postcard village of Carsington and its equally attractive neighbour, Hopton, are inseparably linked. They lie in a wooded valley with Carsington Pasture rising steeply to one thousand feet to the west, behind a row of attractive little cottages that line the roadside. Both villages share the same church and school. The houses in each village almost overlap on the shared narrow road, and they are both in the same parish.  

The Gell family who lived at Hopton Hall for nearly 500 years were the dominating influence in the area, before it was sold in 1989. Most of the land was sold to the Severn Trent Water Authority and now lies under Carsington Reservoir, just a short distance away on the other side of the bypass.

Hopton Hall hides behind a red brick crinkle-crankle wall on the eastern side of Hopton. In 1996, when the house and what remained of the land was purchased by the Brogden family, large areas within the grounds, including the interior of the walled garden, the woodlands, the formal and informal areas had all fallen into disrepair and were over grown. Gradually the gardens and the five acres of woodland are being restored to their former glory.

The restoration work on the grounds revealed a spectacular surprise, when a carpet of snowdrops as impressive as any in the country was uncovered. The snowdrops had lain dormant for many years.

The annual display of snowdrops at Hopton Hall, will be open to the public from Tuesday 1st February to Monday 28th February, during 2011.

From 10.30am - 4pm. Charge: £4.00 per person (children up to 16 years and parking are free).

More information  - Telephone Number 01629 540923

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SNOWDROPS AT

HOPTON HALL

The annual display of snowdrops at Hopton Hall, will be open to the public from Tuesday 1st February to Monday 28th February, during 2011 from 10.30am - 4pm.

Located off B5035, between Ashbourne and Matlock. It rivals some of the best  Snowdrop Gardens in the country.

Charge: £4.00 per person (children up to 16 years and car parking are free). For further information: Telephone No. 01629 540923

PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE LOCALITY

Carsington Water Visitor Centre, (Tel. 01629 540696) a great place just to relax by the water’s edge, but do leave time to look round the Visitor centre with its shops and fascinating exhibition. The more adventurous can hire a sailing dinghy, or a mountain bike. Alternatively, if you have plenty of energy left, why not walk the seven miles or so round the reservoir? Open daily all year.

The National Stone Centre, (Tel. 01629 824833) tells the story of stone, its geological and industrial history. The exhibition inside shows how advanced technology makes use of stone in an incredible number of ways. Outside the visitor centre, the quarry trail takes you back over three hundred million years. Open all year seven days a week.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, (Tel. 01629 823076)  based at the immaculately  re-furbished Wirksworth Railway Station.

There is an attractive visitor centre and shop, where refreshments are available. The centre also provides information on the project to re-open the line to Duffield, together with other facilities. Normally open every day from 10am to 4pm.

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CARSINGTON AND HOPTON FEATURE

The picture postcard village of Carsington and its equally attractive neighbour, Hopton, are inseparably linked. They lie in a wooded valley with Carsington Pasture rising steeply to one thousand feet to the west, behind a row of attractive little cottages that line the roadside.

Both villages share the same church and school. The houses in each village almost overlap on the shared narrow road, and they are both in the same parish.

Carsington and Hopton Feature

CARSINGTON AND HOPTON WALK

Breathtaking views are to be found on this splendid walk which visits the ancient villages of Carsington and Brassington, once the homes of very active lead mining communities.

On the moorland route between the two villages there is plenty of evidence of the efforts of miners to extract lead from underneath the earth. At Nickalum Mine in particular, spoil heaps long since grassed over, are to be seen in plentiful supply.

Carsington and Hopton Walk

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