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County of north central England. First recorded in 1049 and formerly know as Northworthy,meaning "North Enclosure" in English. It was renamed Deoraby by the Danes from the concentration of deer; possibly in some sort of enclosure. Derby therefore means deer village or village with a deer park or enclosure. Known for its picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and rich industrial heritage. Much of the county lies within the Peak District National Park, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Whether you're interested in exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District, visiting grand stately homes, or delving into the county's industrial heritage, Derbyshire has something to offer for everyone.

Towns and cities

Derby:

The county town and only city in Derbyshire, Derby has a rich industrial heritage, particularly in engineering and manufacturing. The city is home to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, which houses a collection of works by Joseph Wright of Derby, and Derby Cathedral, known for its impressive tower.

Chesterfield:

Known for its famous crooked spire, Chesterfield is a historic market town with a bustling town centre. The town is also close to the Peak District and offers attractions like Chesterfield Museum and the nearby Hardwick Hall.

Buxton:

A spa town known for its Georgian architecture and natural springs, Buxton is a cultural hub with theatres, festivals, and beautiful parks like Pavilion Gardens. The town is a gateway to the Peak District.

Matlock:

A former spa town, Matlock is now a popular tourist destination with attractions like the Heights of Abraham and Hall Leys Park. Nearby Matlock Bath has a seaside resort feel, with its riverside promenade and amusements.

Bakewell:

A picturesque market town known for its pudding, Bakewell is located on the River Wye and is a popular base for exploring the surrounding Peak District.

Ashbourne:

Known as the "Gateway to Dovedale," Ashbourne is a historic market town with Georgian buildings, antique shops, and a lively market. The town is famous for its annual Shrovetide football match, a traditional game played through the streets.

Glossop:

Located on the edge of the Peak District, Glossop is a former mill town with a rich industrial history. The town is a gateway to the High Peak area of the national park and offers access to scenic spots like Kinder Scout.

Whatstandwell:

Birthplace of Dame Ellen MacArthur, a renowned British sailor, best known for her extraordinary achievements in solo long-distance sailing. Born on July 8, 1976, MacArthur became a household name for breaking world sailing records and her remarkable resilience at sea. Ellen MacArthur achieved global fame when she set the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2005. Sailing aboard her 75-foot trimaran, B&Q/Castorama, she completed the journey in just 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds, beating the previous record set by Francis Joyon. This record stood for several years and was a monumental achievement in the world of sailing. At the age of 24, MacArthur gained attention by finishing second in the Vendée Globe, a solo non-stop yacht race around the world, often regarded as one of the toughest sailing competitions. She became the youngest competitor ever to complete the race, cementing her status as a rising star in offshore sailing. MacArthur grew up far from the sea, in the landlocked county of Derbyshire, but she became passionate about sailing from a young age after reading a book about Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world.

Alfreton:

A market town with a history rooted in coal mining and textiles, Alfreton offers a mix of historic buildings and modern amenities. The town is close to Hardwick Hall and Crich Tramway Village, a popular heritage attraction.

Ripley:

A former coal mining town, Ripley has a lively town centre and is known for its proximity to Butterley, where the Midland Railway Centre is located, offering steam train rides and railway exhibits.

Belper:

Part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Belper has a rich industrial history linked to the textile industry. The town has a well-preserved historic core, with attractions like Belper North Mill and River Gardens.

Area

2,550 sq. km / 984 sq. miles

Population

1,060,000 (2022)

Topography

Derbyshire is bordered by several counties, including South Yorkshire to the north, Greater Manchester to the north-west, and Nottinghamshire to the east. The county's landscape is diverse, ranging from the rolling hills of the Peak District in the north to the flatter plains of the southern areas. The Peak District, which covers much of northern Derbyshire, is famous for its rugged beauty, with limestone dales, gritstone edges, and scenic villages.

Commerce

Historically, Derbyshire’s economy was based on agriculture, mining, and textiles. The county was an important centre for coal mining, and remnants of this industrial heritage can still be seen today. The limestone quarries in the Peak District are another significant part of Derbyshire's industrial landscape. Today, the economy is more diversified, with manufacturing, tourism, and services playing key roles. The Peak District attracts millions of visitors each year, making tourism a vital part of the local economy.

Famous people

• Samuel Richardson • James Brindley • Thomas Cook • Marquess Curzon of Kedleston • Isaak Walton fished at Dovedale. • The lexicographer Dr Samuel Johnson was married to Mrs Elizabeth Porter at Derby in July 1735. • Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing training, was the daughter of a Derbyshire gentleman and although born in Florence she spent much of her early life at Lea Hirst, near Crich. • Sir Barnes Wallis

Attractions

History

Derbyshire has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements. The Romans established forts in the region, and later, during the Anglo-Saxon period, the area became known as part of the Kingdom of Mercia. In the medieval period, Derbyshire became known for its market towns and agricultural economy. The county played a significant role during the Industrial Revolution, with the Derwent Valley Mills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being one of the birthplaces of the modern factory system. The area’s rivers and streams provided the water power needed for early cotton mills, and the region became a centre for the textile industry.

Culture

Derbyshire has a strong cultural heritage, with traditions that reflect both its rural roots and its industrial past. The county is known for its well dressings, an ancient tradition of decorating wells with intricate designs made from natural materials like flowers and leaves. This practice is particularly common in villages within the Peak District. The county also has a rich literary heritage. Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice" features Derbyshire prominently, with locations like Chatsworth House often associated with the novel's Pemberley. The area also inspired authors like Charlotte Brontë and D.H. Lawrence.

Peak District National Park:

The UK's first national park, the Peak District offers stunning scenery, including rolling hills, deep valleys, and dramatic rock formations. Popular spots include Mam Tor, Kinder Scout, and Stanage Edge. The park is ideal for hiking, cycling, climbing, and exploring picturesque villages like Castleton and Bakewell.

Chatsworth House:

One of the most famous stately homes in England, Chatsworth House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire. The house is renowned for its architecture, art collections, and beautiful gardens. It has been used as a filming location for several movies and is often associated with Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Monsal Head:

Scenic viewpoint in the Peak District National Park offering breathtaking views of the Monsal Dale and the River Wye. Known for its stunning landscapes and industrial heritage, Monsal Head is a popular destination for walkers, cyclists, and photographers, and is often considered one of the most beautiful spots in the Peak District. One of the most iconic features of Monsal Head is the Monsal Viaduct, a large railway viaduct built in 1863 that spans the valley. The viaduct was originally constructed to carry the Midland Railway across the valley on its route from Manchester to London. Although controversial when first built for its intrusion into the natural beauty of the dale, it has since become a much-loved feature of the landscape. Today, the viaduct forms part of the Monsal Trail, a popular walking and cycling path.

Haddon Hall:

A well-preserved medieval manor house near Bakewell, Haddon Hall offers a glimpse into the lives of the English aristocracy in the Middle Ages. The house has been used as a filming location for numerous films and television series.

Derwent Valley Mills:

This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes a series of historic cotton mills along the River Derwent. These mills played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution and are now preserved as part of the industrial heritage of the region.

Buxton:

A historic spa town, Buxton is known for its Georgian and Victorian architecture, as well as its natural mineral springs. The town is home to the Buxton Opera House, which hosts a variety of cultural events, including the annual Buxton Festival.

Matlock and Matlock Bath:

These neighbouring towns are popular with tourists, offering attractions like the Heights of Abraham, a hilltop park accessible by cable car, and Gulliver's Kingdom, a family theme park. Matlock Bath has a seaside feel, with amusements and fish and chip shops along the River Derwent.

Hardwick Hall:

A grand Elizabethan mansion built by Bess of Hardwick, Hardwick Hall is known for its impressive architecture and extensive gardens. The hall is managed by the National Trust and offers insight into the life of one of the most powerful women of the Elizabethan era.

Bolsover Castle:

A 17th-century castle with stunning views over the surrounding countryside, Bolsover Castle was built as a luxurious retreat for Sir William Cavendish. The castle is known for its well-preserved interiors and beautiful gardens.

Longdendale Valley:

Stunning glacial valley located on the western edge of the Peak District National Park in northern England, spanning parts of Derbyshire and Greater Manchester. Renowned for its natural beauty and historical significance, the valley is home to a chain of reservoirs, known collectively as the Longdendale Chain, and offers a variety of outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts. The Longdendale Valley stretches for about 10 miles along the River Etherow, which flows westward from the moors of the Peak District. The valley is flanked by high hills and moorlands, characteristic of the dramatic landscapes of the national park. The valley is dominated by a series of six reservoirs, which were constructed in the 19th century to provide water to the city of Manchester. These reservoirs include: • Woodhead Reservoir • Torside Reservoir • Rhodeswood Reservoir • Valehouse Reservoir • Bottoms Reservoir • Arnfield Reservoir

Bakewell:

A charming market town famous for its Bakewell pudding (often mistaken for Bakewell tart), Bakewell is a popular base for exploring the Peak District. The town has a historic market square, independent shops, and a lovely riverside setting.

Calke Abbey:

Stately home located near Ticknall and is one of the more unusual and atmospheric National Trust properties. Known as the "unstately home," Calke Abbey offers a unique glimpse into the eccentric and reclusive lives of the family who lived there, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its fascinating history, combined with its beautifully preserved interiors and extensive parkland, makes it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The site of Calke Abbey was originally an Augustinian priory, established in the 12th century. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the estate was sold to private hands. It was acquired by the Harpur family in 1622, who held it for nearly 300 years. The eccentric Harpur-Crewe family lived in relative seclusion, rarely maintaining or modernizing the property. Their eccentricity is one of the key features of the estate. They were avid collectors of everything from taxidermy animals to exotic curiosities. Over time, the family became more reclusive, leading to the gradual decline of the house and grounds. Calke Abbey was acquired by the National Trust in 1985. Rather than fully restoring the house, the Trust decided to conserve it in a state of "arrested decay," preserving its faded grandeur and peeling wallpaper to show how the estate was found at the time of the handover.

Castleton:

Located in the heart of the Peak District, Castleton is famous for its caverns, including Blue John Cavern and Speedwell Cavern, where visitors can take underground boat trips. The village is also overlooked by Peveril Castle, a Norman fortress.

Myths and Legends

Derbyshire is home to a variety of myths and legends, many of which are tied to its landscape. The area around the Peak District is associated with stories of giants, such as the legend of Thor's Cave. Other tales include the Devil’s Stride at Arbor Low, a stone circle that was said to be the devil's doing, and the Shivering Mountain legend associated with Mam Tor, where it is said the mountain shivers due to a curse.

Weather

Derbyshire's weather is typically temperate, with the Peak District experiencing cooler and wetter conditions due to its elevation. Summers are mild, and winters can be cold, particularly in the higher areas of the Peak District, where snow is not uncommon.

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