The county of Derbyshire in the north midlands is an attractive hilly and craggy country, rising in the north east to the mountainous mass of the Peak District National Park.
Derbyshire Peak District © TAB
The Peak District's 555 square miles take in some of the most breath taking landscapes. The northern peaks are characterised by wide expanses of moorland heather and gritstone ridges. The derbyshire peaks have been farmed for more than 4000 years and as far as the eye can see dry stone walls criss-cross sheep filled pastures, hills and dales. The Peak District offers some prime walking and climbing territory with over 3000 km of pathways. In particular the most famous of all routes, the Pennine Way, begins at Edale in the Hope Valley to the north.
The county is home to Haddon Hall, a 12th-c fortified medieval manor house, considered to be one the finest examples to survive from the era and used in many film sets, including Pride and Prejudice (starring Keira Knightley) and two versions of Jane Eyre.
There are many splendid waterfalls in the National Park, the highest is Kinder Downfall (on Kinder Scout) with a fall of over 400 feet (121 metres). The areas ancient past is also still visible in its many prehistoric monuments, such as the impressive Arbor Low Stone Circle, which dates back to 2500 BC. Around Castleton is a vast underground complex of limestone caverns that are a popular centre for pot-holing. Further south is picturesque moorland country, cut by gorges or dales, of which Dove Dale is considered to be the most beautiful.
'From Matlock Bath's half-timbered station I see the black dissenting spire - Thin witness of a congregation Stone emblem of a Handel choir; In blest Bethesda's limpid pool Comes treacling out of Sunday School.'
John Betjeman (1966), "Matlock Bath"
County Towns: |
Matlock & Derby - distance to London: 107 miles (172 km) |
Nearby Counties: | Cheshire, Leicestershire , Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire |
Train Operators: | Cross Country / East Midlands |
Nearest Airports: | East Midlands |
Major Roads: | M1 |
Highest point: | Kinder Scout, 2088 feet (636 metres) |
Rivers: | Derwent, Dove, Trent, Wye |
County Flower: | Jacob's-ladder |
Local Delicacies: |
Bakewell Tart - pastry case
covered with a layer of jam then sponge. Bakewell Pudding - traditional pudding made in Bakewell. |
The Meaning of Derbyshire
Derby means deer village or village with a deer park or enclosure. Formerly known as Northworthy, it was re-named Derby by the invading Danes based on the concentration of deer in the area.
Map of Derbyshire
The Midlands
