Lying in the heart of
the beautiful Hope Valley, Hathersage is one of the more interesting
villages in the area, with historical associations to Robin Hood and the
Eyre family. The village centres around a road junction above the River
Derwent, where the road to Sheffield branches off the route which
follows the Derwent downstream. The ancient centre of the village was
just above the church, which itself stands above and to the north of the
modern village centre.
The village is a popular centre for
walkers and rock climbers being surrounded by open moorland and a line
of gritstone edges of which Stanage Edge is the largest as well as
limestone crags at Stoney Middleton, Cheedale, Cheetor and Ravens Dale
to name a few. There are also spectacular tors, such as Higgar Tor, and
the enigmatic hillfort at Carl Wark. The centre of the village boasts
numerous climbing/walking outlets as well as several cafes, local shops,
ATM's an Indian restaurant and an open air swimming pool (Apr - Oct). For those with
children, there is a recreational area near the pool and bowling green.
Local Markets
- Bakewell (Monday)
- Buxton (Tuesday)
- Chesterfield (Thursday)
Places of Interest
The Church at Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire,
stands close to an ancient Danish settlement and is linked to the Eyre
family. Little John - of Robin Hood fame - is said to be buried here.
Stanage Edge, Hathersage, Derbyshire. Stanage is the
largest and most impressive of the gritstone edges. It is a famous
location for rock climbing and a popular spot for walkers
Castleton is an outstandingly pretty village situated
at the head of the Hope Valley, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak
District National Park and approxiamately 5.5 miles from Hathersage.
There are numerous attractions, notably Blue John, Speedwell, Treak
Cliff and Peak Caverns as well as several pubs, cafe's and craft shops.
Bakewell in Derbyshire and the Peak District , is a
beautiful, small, market town situated on the River Wye which is crossed
by a 13th century 5 arched bridge. Bakewell attracts many tourists and
is approxiamately 10.5 miles from Hathersage. It offers plenty of
attractions including gardens, pubs, coffee shops, and numerous shops
selling books, clothes and gifts. There is also a weekely outdoor market
dating from the 13th Century.
Chatsworth House is a large country house in
Chatsworth, Derbyshire, 8½ miles from Hathersage. Standing on the east
bank of the River Derwent, Chatsworth looks across to the low hills that
divide the Derwent and Wye valleys. The house is set in expansive
parkland, and backed by wooded, rocky hills rising to heather moorland
and contains a unique collection of priceless paintings, furniture, Old
Master drawings, neoclassical sculptures, books and other artifacts.
Chatsworth has been selected as the United Kingdom's favourite country
house several times.
Haddon Hall is a fortified medieval manor house dating
from the 12 th Century, and is siuated about 12.5 miles from
Hathersage. Described by Simon Jenkins in 1000 Best houses as "the most
perfect house to survive from the middle ages", this remarkable old
house is surrounded by terraced Elizabethan gardens and is set amongst
the rolling countryside of the Peak District National Park.
Gulliver's Kingdom is a family theme park designed to
cater for families with children between the age of two and thirteen.
All its rides and attractions are designed to offer the whole family a
full day out of fun and excitement. The theme park at Matlock Bath
(35-40 mins drive) is the origanal Gulliver's in England. Each park
contains a number of themed areas each containing rides, attractions,
shows, restaurants and shops. All of which combine to keep even the most
active of children occupied for a full day.
The National Tramway Museum, at Crich, in Derbyshire,
England, is situated within Crich Tramway Village, a period village
containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop, including the tram depots.
The museum's collection of trams runs through the village setting.
Visitors are transported one mile out into the countryside and back,
aboard the varied fleet of trams. The Museum can be reached by car in
approxiamately 40-45 mins from Hathersage.
"Bagshaw cavern" is a fantastic opportunity for those interested in cave
exploration. These caves discovered in 1806 are
open by appointment, so please do make a reservation. Here you will see a
variety stalagmites and experience cave exploration just like in days
long ago. This is a bit of a dirty experience, so be prepared. You will
also need some special equipment, which may be rented at the sight. This
adventure could be a bit strenuous, so please keep that in mind.
The hill known as Carl Wark lies close to Higgar Tor
between Stanage and Burbage Edges on the moors above Hathersage. It
rises high above Burbage Brook and is a fine natural defensive position,
so it was used as a fort long ago, especially in the Iron Age and the
Romano-British period.
The Derwent reservoir was used by the RAF’s Dambusters 617 Squadron
to practice their low level flying techniques during 1943, in
preparation for delivering Barnes Wallis’ famous bouncing bombs to
German dams. The 617 Squadron Dambuster's Memorial is located just inside the gatehouse to the Western Tower of The Derwent Dam.
There is a lot of recreational activities available near the
Howden and Derwent dams including cycle hire, plenty of footpaths and
bridleways, fishing, and walking.The Fairholmes Visitors Centre located
very near to The Derwent Dam has information, refreshments and cycle
hire. Open all year to the public this area attracts over 2 million
visitors a year.
The Ladybower reservoir was
constructed at a later date in 1945 in order to meet increased water
demands. This however required the flooding of two villages, Derwent and
Ashopton which caused much controversy at the time.
Located in the West Tower of the Derwent Dam is The Derwent Valley Museum
{aka: The Dambuster Museum} which houses a collection of memorabilia,
photographs and other material covering all aspects of the dams raid and
material relating to The Dambusters film made in 1954. There is a life
size replica of the bouncing bomb as well as some rare photographs of
life in the villages {that were to be flooded} before the dams construction.
Opening times for the small and free museum are from 10.00am till 4.00pm Sundays and Bank Holidays only.
There is a Forestry Commission information centre and car-park at
Fairholmes, just below Derwent Dam, run in cooperation with the Peak
National Park. (Open daily Easter - end October and winter weekends.
Telephone 01433 650953). The centre also offers bicycle hire (tel: 01433
651261), toilets and refreshments.
Eyam Hall is a fine 17th Century Hall in the Plague
village of Eyam, Hope Valley, which is still in the hands of its
original builders, the Wright Family.
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Eyam Museum and Plague Village
The story of how Eyam was infected with the bubonic plague in 1665-6 and chose to
go into quarantine rather than spread the infection to the surrounding
area is an epic tale of self-sacrifice. The village has a small museum
and you can follow a signed trail around the village to see the major
buildings and sites linked with the Plague.
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Longshaw Estate and Country Park
The Longshaw Estate covers Grindleford, Millstone and
Bole Hill, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. Once the shooting estate of the
Dukes of Rutland, now owned by the National Trust.
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Chestnut Centre Conservation & Wildlife Park
The Conservation and Wildlife Park is set in 50 acres
of landscaped grounds and is home, not only to a unique collection of
birds and animals, but to many wild birds and mammals. Walking about the
Wildlife Park you'll see some of Europe's largest gathering of otters,
16 species of owls and other indigenous wildlife all in their natural
surroundings including, buzzards, pine martens, polecats, foxes,
Scottish wildcats and deer. The centre is located approxiamately 15-20
mins drive from Hathersage
Situated in the Mayfield Valley, approxiamately 10
mins drive from Hathersage, Mayfield Alpacas is a popular attraction for
all. There is a Visitor Centre that is both educational and informative
and traces the history of the Alpaca from the Incas through to present
day commercial fleece production.
