Local history
Visit the ancient sites of Arbor Low, Creswell Crags and iron age settlements above Hathersage. See one of England’s first Norman forts, Peveril Castle, situated high above Castleton. Explore the many stately homes and museums. Step back in time at the Crich Tramway Museum or take a ride on a steam train at Peak Rail in Matlock.
See some of the region’s dramatic limestone caves formed millions of
years ago in the area around Castleton and home to the rare Blue John
stone; see:
- Treak Cliff Cavern
- The Blue John Cavern
- Peak Cavern (aka The Devil's Arse)
- The Speedwell Cavern; and
- Poole Cavern in Buxton.
Industrial past
The area’s industrial past is visible today in many different ways. Lead mining was already taking place 4,000 years ago and continued into the 1900’s. Wild flowers now cover the hundreds of tiny spoil heaps in the fields and lead rakes are etched across the white peak.
At
Millstone Edge and nearby Burbage Moor many abandoned mill stones can be
found. Many of these stones were used in paper and flour mills or to
grind knives in nearby Sheffield.
In recent years many derelict mills have been converted into
apartments, but Cromford, Belper North and
Masson Mills
are part of the
Derwent
Valley
Mills World Heritage Site
and offer tours. These cotton mills owned by
Richard Arkwright became the blueprint for factory production and the
Industrial Revolution was born.
The Tissington, High Peak, Manifold and Monsal trails all began their lives as railway lines. Now they provide a network of walking and cycling paths. The famous viaduct at Monsal Head now fits into the landscape in a way that John Ruskin could never have envisaged!
There's lots more information on the Peak Experience website.
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