Derbyshire

Derbyshire is certainly one of the most beautiful counties in England and is somewhere that I've been visiting as long as I can remember. It has been called Little Switzerland because of its dramatic peaks and plunging dales.

Monsal Dale Viaduct

Mum in Monsal Dale

The area known as the Peak District is really split into two parts. The White Peak to the south west of the A6 road is predominately limestone scenery whilst the Dark Peak on the other side of the road is formed on millstone grit.

Riber Castle near Matlock

It isn't really a castle at all but a folly that is now used as a zoo

Stream in Castleton leading to Peak Cavern

Castleton village is known for its caves. Apparently the system that starts here forms caves and passages over 100 miles long.

The semiprecious mineral blue john is also mined locally.

Chatsworth House from across the River Derwent

Chatsworth is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire. (Yes, I know it's in Derbyshire not Devon - don't ask awkward questions!)

The house, gardens and park are all magnificent. The lakes in the hills above the house feed a cascade and drive one of the highest fountains in Europe.

If you like buildings Haddon Hall close to Bakewell and Hardwick Hall to the east of the county are equally interesting. They are older than Chatsworth and what they lack in grandeur they make up for with character and history.

Well Dressing

Derbyshire has a few little idiosyncrasies. In common with some other northern counties it is famous for its dry stone walls which you will see round most of the farm fields. As far as I know though the traditional well dressing festivals are unique to the area.

Pagan in origin but converted to Christianity they consist of placing pictures of biblical scenes made out of flower petals at the village wells. Most villages have there wells these days but Tissington close to the Cheshire border is perhaps the most famous. The festivals usually take place in spring and early summer.