Testimonials
We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your tours, loved all the history......your area is beautiful. Jane & Andy P, New England
Thank you again for everything our vacation was great. We thought the little towns and the the stately houses were wonderful and the girls just loved the all the movie scenery we visited. Tom & Audrey B.
I have told all my friends about your wonderful Peak District thank you so much.
Ruth and John P. Toronto
Thank you for a great time, I wish we could have stayed longer. We saw so much we couldn’t take it all in so ‘we will be back’. Angie & Jeff S, Hertfordshire
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HathersageHathersage was once a centre of the needle, pin and wire drawing industry.
In the mid 1700s the rural quiet gradually began to change with the arrival of the wire drawing industry.
Metal wrought in Sheffield was brought to be made into buttons and needles at England's first needle factory in Hathersage. Traffic between there and Sheffield became such that in the 1700's a turnpike had to be built,
Button manufacture started at Dale Mill in 1720, the metal brought by packhorse before being returned in the form of brass buttons which were much in demand.
Conditions were not as today and it was said that a wire drawer was easy to identify because he had several missing fingers. More serious still were the working conditions for ‘grinders’ who rarely lived much over 30 years of age. Dust from the rapidly revolving millstones over which they worked, got into their mouths and lungs until they contracted the dreaded ‘grinders’ disease’.
Although conditions were gradually improved grinders did not always take the precautions advised as they claimed these slowed productivity. When the industry finally came to an end, Hathersage once again returned to its former peace and quiet.
In 1847 Samuel Fox designed his Fox Frame lightweight umbrellas. Four mills still remain but now with different uses.
The village of Hathersage has strong literary connections. Charlotte Bronte’s best friend at school was Ellen Nussey, whose brother was vicar of Hathersage. In 1845, Charlotte stayed at the vicarage with Ellen for about three weeks.
During her stay Charlotte accompanied Ellen on visits to various friends and neighbours in the area. She took the opportunity to explore, walking on the moors. Her famous novel ‘Jane Eyre’ was set in Hathersage. She used the name of the landlord of the George Inn, a Mr Morton, who greeted her when she first arrived, as the name for her fictitious village and nearby North Lees Hall was the inspiration for Mr Rochester’s house in the novel.
Hathersage parish church of St Michael and All Angels is quaint village church that records show existed as early as 1381. It is considered to be one of the best examples of church architecture in the county.
Famously linked to the church is with the outlaw Robin Hood who its said was born at Loxley, only eight miles from Hathersage. One of Robins men known as Little John is reputed to be buried in Hathersage churchyard, the grave measuring 11 feet from head to footstone. In 1784 the grave was opened and a thigh bone 30 inches in length exhumed, making the occupant over seven feet tall.
Stanage Edge which rises up in the north behind the village has a cave known as Robin Hood’s Cave which he is said to have used as a hideaway. The Hood Brook flows through the village.
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How Interesting
One of England's most popular stately homes and one of its largest private houses is Chatsworth House the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Chatsworth is believed to have been the inspiration for Jane Austen's Pemberley, home of Mr Darcy, in the book Pride & Predjudice and Chatsworth has been used as a setting for the many adaptations of the novel.
The village of Edensor on the Chatsworth estate was razed to the ground then rebuilt out of site of the main house.
Richard Arkwright perfected water powered spinning machines and installed them in his factory at Cromford. Building up a whole new community he provided cottages for his workers, a chapel, school and the Greyhound Hotel.
Mary Queen of Scot’s was imprisoned at nearby Hardwick Hall and was allowed to visit Buxton to take the health giving spa waters.
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Famous Derbyshire People
Richard Arkwright perfected water powered spinning machines and installed them in his factory at Cromford. Building up a whole new community he provided cottages for his workers, a chapel, school and the Greyhound Hotel. 
Initially he lived next to the mill at Rock House but as he prospered he went on to build Willersley Castle on a hill above Cromford. He died in 1792 aged only 60 and was buried at the church he built.
Kathleen, sister of John F Kennedy, is buried in the church of St Peter, Edensor. Kathleen known as ‘Kick’ married William Cavendish, Marques of Hartington in 1944. Only four months later William was killed whilst on active duty and in 1948 she was killed in a plane crash.
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