Places to Visit near The Old Manse
There's a host of things to do and places to visit in the area... here's just a selection.
Tideswell
The church of St John the Baptist in Tideswell is rightly known as the 'Cathedral of the Peak', being one of the largest and most perfect churches in the area. Tideswell was recorded in the Domesday book and the first known priest for the village was appointed in 1193.
Chatsworth House
This palatial home of the Duke of Devonshire, sits splendidly in the Derwent Valley, and is one of the grandest and best-loved of the stately homes in Britain. Chatsworth also has gardens, farmyard and adventure playground. For more information visit their website.
Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall is the finest example of a medieval manor house currently in existence in England. The hall is one of the seats of the Dukes of Rutland and lies alongside the River Wye, just south of Bakewell. The Rutlands used the hall very little in the 18th and 19th centuries, so it was almost unaltered since the end of the 16th century when the 9th Duke realised its importance and began restoration in the 1920s
Lyme Hall
Lyme Hall was originally a Tudor house until the Venetian Architect Leoni turned it into an Italianate palace in the early 18th Century. It stands in a fine park with commanding views of the Cheshire Plains amongst ornate gardens. The house is finely furnished and particularly notable for its Mortlake tapestries, wood carvings by Grinding Gibbons and a collection of English clocks. It offers a memorable glimpse of a genteel and extravagant age and has now become even better known since its use as 'Pemberley' in the BBC production of the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice. It is managed by the National Trust with support from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council.
Pooles Cavern
A natural limestone cavern lies in 100 acres of woodland. The cave is 1,000ft in length, with only 16 steps, making it suitable for all ages. It is rich in beautiful formations which include thousands of interesting stalactites and stalagmites. For more information visit their website
Castleton
Beautifully situated at the head of the Hope Valley, Castleton shelters beneath the Norman ruin of Peveril Castle and is overlooked by Mam Tor, topped by a Bronze and Iron Age hill fort known as 'Shivering Mountain. The hills in this area contain a unique source of Blue John, a fluorspar whose attractive purplish veining is seen in huge vases and urns at many historic houses and at the villages Ollerenshaw Collection. To find more information about Castleton and Blue John Stone visit www.bluejohnstone.com
Dovedale
Situated within the National Trust's South Peak Estate, Dovedale is a popular and accessible beauty spot ideal for picnics and walks. A broad level path follows the east bank river past craggy rocks and pillars, dense woodlands, dark caves and cascading waters.
Eyam
Eyam is one of the best preserved villages in the vicinity and is the famous 'plague village', which went into voluntary quarantine when the plague was imported from London in 1665. Above the village lies Eyam Moor, which is a fine area for walking, with good views across the Derwent valley and many Bronze Age remains and monuments.
Derwent Valley
Known as little Switzerland, there is a visitors centre, cycle hire and the Derwent Reservoir where the famous bouncing bomb was developed.
Hartington
This pleasing village is built around an unusually wide square, and is set in some of the loveliest scenery in Derbyshire. The limestone landscape is littered with prehistoric burial sites and ancient earthworks, and there are signs too of the lead mining which once made the village prosperous.
Bakewell
With its busy cattle market and the largest town in the national park, Bakewell stands on the wooded banks of the River Wye and is sheltered by hills on three sides. The name of the town will always be associated with Bakewell Tart, apparently created by accident when a harassed cook in the Rutland Arms mistakenly poured egg mixture meant for the pastry of a jam tart into the jam. Gullivers kingdom and Matlock are also nearby.
Millers Dale
This village takes its name from one of the best known of several lovely limestone dales along the River Wye. It grew in the 1860's to provide housing for the rail men and the quarry workers and their families. Today remains the old houses and former textile mills with craft shops specialising in wood turning.
The Old Manse
6 Clifton Road,
Silverlands,
Buxton,
Derbyshire
SK17 6QL
Telephone
01298 25638
Mobile
07929 234494
