England's best kept secret, Peak District! (Peak District)

Member Name: Flindy

Product:	Peak District
Date:	25/11/02 (614 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Open space, Scenery, History

Disadvantages: It might rain!

Not a million miles from where I live in Shropshire is the Peak District in Derbyshire, around 70 - 80 miles to be a little more precise. I am ashamed to admit it but until the end of August this year I had never visited this area, and what a revelation it was to me. It must be one of England's best kept secrets!

Our week was spent in what used to be a Gamekeepers Lodge, now converted and improved to include every comfort of home, with lots of privacy and a large garden, with views over the Hope Valley.

I was struck immediately by the stone walls, everywhere the fields were bounded by dry stone walling, I wondered just how long the walls had been standing, many years I?m sure, and the craft of dry stone walling is really something when you see it in it?s natural setting and on such a scale.

The countryside is full of contrasts, wild and windswept moorland, rolling pastures and woods, streams and rivers, just wonderful. The area is a magnet for hikers, and there are maps in the local shops containing detailed information on various routes across the hills.

Just about a mile or maybe less to the east of Hope is Castleton, famous for Peverill Castle which stands above the town. Castleton is very pretty, especially along the riverside walk; there are the usual gift shops, pubs, cafés, and last but not least the caves, which are open to visitors. We visited Speedwell Cavern, where you have to don hard hats, climb into a small boat and travel along a water filled tunnel for about ten minutes until you get to the actual cavern, when you can get out and stretch your legs while the guide gives you the lowdown on the mining history of the tunnel and cavern. There are over 100 steps down to the tunnel, and of course, the same coming up when your tour is finished :-) It was fascinating, but I did feel a little claustrophobic in the boat! The price for each individual is between £5 and £6.

I must mention Blue John, the
semi precious stone that can only be found in this area, there are some lovely pieces of jewellery available in the local shops that contain Blue John. I was also surprised to learn that examples of pottery have been found in Rome made from Blue John stone! A good example of the stone will be purplish blue with a yellow vein through it.

Another village I just had to visit was Eyam, now more commonly known as the Plague Village. Firstly let me say do not visit on a Monday, we did and the Museum and Hall were closed. We tried again on a Wednesday and did a tour of the Museum, where information about the Plague in 1665/66 was on display. We learned of the tragic tale of the family from Riley Farm, where one person survived, this lady buried her husband and all of her children, the burial site is known as the Riley Graves. Also in Eyam is Eyam Hall, we were too late to visit as it closed at the beginning of September, but we did visit the Craft Centre and The Buttery which are in the grounds of the hall. I can recommend the Steak Sandwich with Red Onion Marmalade at The Buttery, wow, it was delicious! Another treat for me at Eyam was the Well Dressing, an old tradition in Derbyshire where a giant picture made of flower petals and grasses and seeds is created by villagers every year, the previous weekend had been Well Dressing week, and it was a work of art.

Other places within easy reach are Chatsworth House, and Tideswell where the church is known locally as The Cathedral of The Peak, also the beautiful Derwent Valley.

The holiday was a really enjoyable one, the people were friendly, the scenery fantastic, and the history fascinating, in fact a week was in no way long enough to see all there is to see. That is why I will be back, very soon.

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