Peak District Geraldine Burles

Geraldine Burles

The Peak District is England’s oldest National Park, opened in 1951, and home to one of England’s most popular walking holiday destinations. Keep an ear out for the calls of endangered curlews, and peregrine falcons soaring above.

It’s mostly in Derbyshire (one of the more northern of the East Midlands counties), and includes the town of Bakewell (known for Bakewell tart, this is named after the word ‘Badequella’ which means Bath-Well (warm springs) from Saxon times.

All paths here can be slippery, in wet weather. Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep dogs and livestock safe..

Other areas that sit within the Peak District include Buxton (the mineral water company is now owned by Nestle, so just drink filtered tap water), Ashbourne and Chesterfield. 

Waterfall Swallet (Derbyshire) is in the Peak District. Nearby is the village of Eyam, whose villagers isolated themselves during the plague of 1665/1666, after becoming infected with cloth with infectious fleas. Most died to save others (a few people did survive, and their ancestors live on).

England’s Own ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa!’

Chesterfield has its own 228 foot crooked spire on a Gothic church, that veers off nine feet from the centre. It’s likely due to skilled labourers dying during the plague, so unskilled workers were unable to finish the job properly. Or that the wood simply warped in the sun.

But of course as a church, there are other stories. One is that the Devil did it! A local blacksmith was fitting a horseshoe to his hoof, and knocked a nail into his soft foot, so he jumped up and knocked the spire out of shape. Or that frightened by the noise of church bells, he tried to escape, with his tail twisted the spire.

Privately-Owned Peak District Villages

Wickford Essex Geraldine Burles

Geraldine Burles

Tissington has pretty stone cottages, a duck pond, church, tea shop and six ancient wells. You can walk the 13-mile Tissington Trail along a disused railway line that runs through beautiful landscapes. Or take the 46-mile Limestone Way Footpath, which also runs through the village.

This village has been owned by a family for over 400 years, who live in the nearby stately home. Perhaps they don’t drink, as this remains a village without a pub! The owner used to be a wine merchant, before inheriting his title (and village) from his uncle. A local councillor, he’s also a quiz show buff, having appeared on two TV shows.

Tissington Hall costs a lot of money to maintain, hence why it’s hired out for period TV dramas and weddings. The owner says if he didn’t have to look after this property, he’d be well off! Tenants rent at well below market rates, with retired long-standing staff receiving better terms. He does this to retain a sense of community, to stop wealthy outsiders moving in and taking over the village, or leaving empty properties.

Edensor was built by the former Duke of Derbyshire in Chatsworth Park, to replace the old village was demolished in the 19th century, due to obscuring his view!

Known for its graceful church spire, the village is now owned by a charitable trust. Back in the 60s, it became well-known, when former President John F Kennedy visited his sister’s grave, not long before he was assassinated.

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