Castleton
Encyclopedia
Castleton is a honeypot
village in the Derbyshire
Peak District
, in England. The village lies at the western end of the Hope Valley on the Peakshole Water
, a tributary of the River Noe
. The village is situated between the areas known as the Dark Peak (to the north) and the White Peak (to the south). Castleton's population was 649 at the 2001 census.
's castle in Castleton". This land and Peverel's castle
were amongst the manors belonging to William Peverel that also included Bolsover
and Glapwell
. Castleton later prospered from lead
mining
; the Odin Mine
, one of the oldest lead mines in the country, is situated 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) west of the village (see also Derbyshire lead mining history
). This created and enlarged local caverns, four of which are now open to the public as Peak Cavern
, Blue John Cavern
, Speedwell Cavern
and Treak Cliff Cavern
. A limited supply of Blue John
is mined locally.
plateau of the Dark Peak
to the north and the gentler limestone
scenery of the White Peak
to the south. It lies at the western end of the Hope Valley
and consequently is surrounded on three sides by hills. Most prominent is the ridge to the north. This is called the Great Ridge
; it runs east from Mam Tor
to Back Tor
and Lose Hill
, via the pass (hause) of Hollins Cross
, where paths from many directions can be seen converging to cross over to Edale
.
from Sheffield
to Chapel-en-le-Frith
, on the way to Manchester
. Leaving Castleton, the western road used to go over Mam Tor, but after continual collapses and repairs (Mam Tor is called the "Shivering Mountain" because of its very loose shales) it was eventually abandoned.
The only westbound exit from Castleton is now the unclassified road over the narrow Winnats
, now more frequently called "Winnats Pass". This road is very narrow and steep, and unsuitable for heavy vehicles or high volumes. Road signage has been designed to discourage through traffic—only local destinations are shown. Thus, most traffic enters and leaves the village on the eastern (Hope-Hathersage-Sheffield) road; for traffic going west this involves a long diversion via the villages of Bradwell
and Peak Forest
.
, Hulley's and TM Travel, which runs from Castleton to Sheffield
and the 173 to Bakewell, operated by Hulley's. One return bus a day is operated to Buxton.
There is no railway station, but Hope station
is a walk of about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away, and train tickets to Hope and Edale
are valid on connecting buses to Castleton.
. Many schools visit the area for educational studies such as GCSE coursework. It is also a major walking centre, where routes up Cave Dale, The Winnats, Mam Tor
and Hollins Cross meet.
(Oak Apple Day
– 29 May), a Garland King is paraded around the streets wearing an extremely large garland of flowers, followed by local girls dressed in white with flowers. The village is also famous for its display of Christmas
lights and decorations during the festive season. There are four "show caves" to visit (one of them by boat) and at least one of them is open all year
and (rather further) Hathersage
, or there is a short strenuous walk up onto the Great Ridge, where magnificent views can be enjoyed before descending to Edale
or returning to Castleton. Hayfield
is a short day's walk away beyond Rushup Edge
. A medium-distance two- or three-day "trail", the Limestone Way
, starts in Castleton by running south down Cave Dale
(past the rear of the castle) before climbing out of the village and heading for Monyash
, Youlgreave
, and Matlock.
episode three where the team "investigates" the murder of an engaged couple said to take place in the 18th century. Much of the "investigation" takes place in Speedwell Cavern
. One of the conspirators, James Ashton, is said to have confessed to the murders on his deathbed after being haunted by the dead couple. He also implicated others involved. Castleton also featured in national news reports in the early 1980s following the murder of Susan Renhard
near the battlements of Peveril Castle.
The local underground caves were used as the filming location for the underworld, ruled by the evil Lady of the Green Kirtle
(played by Barbara Kellerman
), in the 1990 BBC
adaptation of The Silver Chair
(one of the Narnia books written by C.S. Lewis).
The town is also featured briefly in the play The Devil is an Ass
by Ben Johnson
, first performed in 1616.
Honeypot (geography)
In geography, a honeypot is a particularly popular visitor attraction which attracts tourists in large numbers. The term 'honeypot' originates from bees buzzing around a hive.-Tourism planning:...
village in the Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
Peak District
Peak District
The Peak District is an upland area in central and northern England, lying mainly in northern Derbyshire, but also covering parts of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, and South and West Yorkshire....
, in England. The village lies at the western end of the Hope Valley on the Peakshole Water
Peakshole Water
Peakshole Water is a stream in the Peak District, Derbyshire named after its source Peak Cavern. It flows through the village of Castleton to join the River Noe in nearby Hope.-References:*...
, a tributary of the River Noe
River Noe
The River Noe is a tributary of the River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. It flows approximately 7.5 miles from its source, the confluence of two streams running off Kinder Scout in the Peak District, east through Edale and then southeast through the village of Hope.The river flows into the River...
. The village is situated between the areas known as the Dark Peak (to the north) and the White Peak (to the south). Castleton's population was 649 at the 2001 census.
History
Castleton village was mentioned as Pechesers in the Domesday book in 1086 where "Arnbiorn and Hundingr held the land of William PeverelWilliam Peverel
William Peverell , was a Norman knight, and is shown in 'The Battle Abbey Roll' to have fought at the Battle of Hastings.-Biography:...
's castle in Castleton". This land and Peverel's castle
Peveril Castle
Peveril Castle is a medieval building overlooking the village of Castleton in the English county of Derbyshire. Its site provides views across the Hope Valley and Cave Dale. The castle is named after its founder, William Peveril, who held lands in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire on behalf of the king...
were amongst the manors belonging to William Peverel that also included Bolsover
Bolsover
Bolsover is a town near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. It is 145 miles from London, 18 miles from Sheffield, 26 miles from Nottingham and 54 miles from Manchester. It is the main town in the Bolsover district.The civil parish for the town is called...
and Glapwell
Glapwell
Glapwell is located in north east Derbyshire between the nearby towns of Chesterfield and Mansfield , although the nearest town centre is that of Bolsover . It is a village of 1,467 residents, situated on a hill adjoining the village of Bramley Vale.-History:This village is listed in the...
. Castleton later prospered from lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
; the Odin Mine
Odin Mine
Odin Mine is a disused lead mine in the Peak District National Park, situated at grid reference . It lies on a site of 25 hectares near the village of Castleton, England. It is the oldest documented mine in Derbyshire and is thought to be one of the oldest lead mines in England...
, one of the oldest lead mines in the country, is situated 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) west of the village (see also Derbyshire lead mining history
Derbyshire lead mining history
This article details some of the history of lead mining in Derbyshire, England.- Background :On one of the walls in Wirksworth church is a crude stone carving, found nearby at Bonsall and placed in the church in the 1870s. Probably executed in Anglo-Saxon times, it shows a man carrying a kibble or...
). This created and enlarged local caverns, four of which are now open to the public as Peak Cavern
Peak Cavern
The Peak Cavern, also known as the Devil's Arse , is one of the four show caves in Castleton, Derbyshire, England...
, Blue John Cavern
Blue John Cavern
The Blue John Cavern is one of the four show caves in Castleton, Derbyshire, England. The cavern, which takes its name from the semi-precious mineral "Blue John" or "Derbyshire Spar", is still mined for the mineral outside of the tourist season. The small amounts taken are turned into locally-made...
, Speedwell Cavern
Speedwell Cavern
The Speedwell Cavern is one of the four show caves in Castleton, Derbyshire, England.It consists of a horizontal lead miners' adit leading to the cavern itself, a limestone cave...
and Treak Cliff Cavern
Treak Cliff Cavern
Treak Cliff Cavern is a show cave near Castleton in Derbyshire. It is part of the Castleton Site of Special Scientific Interest and by agreement with English Nature all the Blue John stone deposits on the visitor route are preserved. However, Blue John is regularly mined from areas not seen by...
. A limited supply of Blue John
Fluorite
Fluorite is a halide mineral composed of calcium fluoride, CaF2. It is an isometric mineral with a cubic habit, though octahedral and more complex isometric forms are not uncommon...
is mined locally.
Geography
Castleton is situated between the gritstoneGritstone
Gritstone or Grit is a hard, coarse-grained, siliceous sandstone. This term is especially applied to such sandstones that are quarried for building material. British gritstone was used for millstones to mill flour, to grind wood into pulp for paper and for grindstones to sharpen blades. "Grit" is...
plateau of the Dark Peak
Dark Peak
The Dark Peak is the higher, wilder northern part of the Peak District in England.It gets its name because , the underlying limestone is covered by a cap of Millstone Grit which means that in winter the soil is almost always saturated with water...
to the north and the gentler limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
scenery of the White Peak
White Peak
The White Peak is the lower, southern part of the Peak District in England. In contrast to the Dark Peak, the underlying limestone is not capped by impervious millstone grit, so caves and dry river valleys are common features of the area...
to the south. It lies at the western end of the Hope Valley
Hope Valley, Derbyshire
The Hope Valley is a rural area centred on the village of Hope, Derbyshire in the Peak District in the northern Midlands of England.The name also applies to the Post Town which includes the surrounding villages.-The Valley:...
and consequently is surrounded on three sides by hills. Most prominent is the ridge to the north. This is called the Great Ridge
Great Ridge
The Great Ridge, is a ridge separating the vales of Edale and Castleton. It covers approximately 3 kilometres from Mam Tor at the western end of the ridge to Lose Hill at the eastern end, the lowest point being Hollins Cross, where the most often used path up to, or over the ridge, runs.A path runs...
; it runs east from Mam Tor
Mam Tor
Mam Tor is a hill near Castleton in the High Peak of Derbyshire, England. Its name literally translates as Heights of the Mother and it is also known as the Shivering Mountain on account of the instability of its lower shale layers...
to Back Tor
Back Tor
Back Tor may refer to:* Back Tor , by Mam Tor* Back Tor at Derwent Edge, by Derwent Reservoir...
and Lose Hill
Lose Hill
Lose Hill lies in the Derbyshire Peak District. It is the south-west corner of the parish of Edale and the end of the Great Ridge that runs from Rushup Edge to the west .Local access activist G. H. B...
, via the pass (hause) of Hollins Cross
Hollins Cross
Hollins Cross lies between Mam Tor and Lose Hill on the Great Ridge that separates Castleton and Edale in Derbyshire, England.Hollins Cross is the lowest point on the ridge and is therefore a popular route taken with casual walkers either wishing to cross from one side to the other, or to start a...
, where paths from many directions can be seen converging to cross over to Edale
Edale
Edale is a small Derbyshire village and Civil parish in the Peak District, in the Midlands of England. The Parish of Edale,area ,is in the Borough of High Peak....
.
Road communications
Castleton used to be on the A625 roadA625 road
The A625 is a rural road which runs through north Derbyshire and the Peak District. First named Ecclesall Road, it begins at the Moore Street roundabout in Sheffield and runs southwesterly towards Hathersage after a change in name to Hathersage Road...
from Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
to Chapel-en-le-Frith
Chapel-en-le-Frith
Chapel-en-le-Frith is a small town in Derbyshire, England, on the edge of the Peak District near the border with Cheshire, from Manchester. Dubbed "The Capital of the Peak District", the settlement was established by the Normans in the 12th century, originally as a hunting lodge within the Forest...
, on the way to Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. Leaving Castleton, the western road used to go over Mam Tor, but after continual collapses and repairs (Mam Tor is called the "Shivering Mountain" because of its very loose shales) it was eventually abandoned.
The only westbound exit from Castleton is now the unclassified road over the narrow Winnats
Winnats Pass
Winnats Pass is in the High Peak area of the English county of Derbyshire. It lies to the west of the village of Castleton, in the National Trust's High Peak Estate. The road winds through a cleft, surrounded by towering limestone pinnacles...
, now more frequently called "Winnats Pass". This road is very narrow and steep, and unsuitable for heavy vehicles or high volumes. Road signage has been designed to discourage through traffic—only local destinations are shown. Thus, most traffic enters and leaves the village on the eastern (Hope-Hathersage-Sheffield) road; for traffic going west this involves a long diversion via the villages of Bradwell
Bradwell, Derbyshire
Bradwell is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District of England. It lies south of the main body of the Hope Valley, but is usually included among its settlements....
and Peak Forest
Peak Forest
Peak Forest is a small village on the main road the from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Chesterfield in England.The village grew from the earlier settlement of Dam at the conjunction of Perrydale and Damdale. There is an inn, a village shop and a Primary School...
.
Public transport
Castleton has a small bus station. There are many bus services to Castleton, but in the winter some services are withdrawn (except on Sundays, when extra buses are laid on — the reverse of the situation in larger English towns). All-year routes with a good frequency include the 272, operated by First South YorkshireFirst South Yorkshire
First South Yorkshire is the largest bus operator in South Yorkshire, England. As a division of FirstGroup the company's legal name was, for a time, Mainline which operated it between 1993 and 1998, following the sale South Yorkshire Transport to its employees.-History:SYT was eventually sold to...
, Hulley's and TM Travel, which runs from Castleton to Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and the 173 to Bakewell, operated by Hulley's. One return bus a day is operated to Buxton.
There is no railway station, but Hope station
Hope (Derbyshire) railway station
Hope railway station serves the villages of Hope and Brough in the Derbyshire Peak District of England.The station lies between the two villages, around 1 km east of Hope, and also serves Bradwell and Castleton, the latter being a notable tourist spot, famous for its caverns and the gemstone...
is a walk of about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away, and train tickets to Hope and Edale
Edale railway station
Edale railway station serves the Vale of Edale in the Derbyshire Peak District, in England. It was opened in 1894 on the Midland Railway's Dore and Chinley line , becoming an unstaffed halt in 1969....
are valid on connecting buses to Castleton.
Tourism
Castleton attracts large numbers of tourists, and there are many pubs (some with accommodation), tea shops and guest houses to supply their needs. There is also a large car park, an information centre, several outdoor shops and a youth hostelYouth Hostels Association (England & Wales)
The Youth Hostels Association is a charitable organisation, registered with the Charity Commission, providing youth hostel accommodation in England and Wales...
. Many schools visit the area for educational studies such as GCSE coursework. It is also a major walking centre, where routes up Cave Dale, The Winnats, Mam Tor
Mam Tor
Mam Tor is a hill near Castleton in the High Peak of Derbyshire, England. Its name literally translates as Heights of the Mother and it is also known as the Shivering Mountain on account of the instability of its lower shale layers...
and Hollins Cross meet.
Events
On Castleton Garland DayCastleton Garland Day
Castleton Garland Day or Garland King Day is held on 29 May in the town of Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District...
(Oak Apple Day
Oak Apple Day
Oak Apple Day or Royal Oak Day was a holiday celebrated in England on 29 May to commemorate the restoration of the English monarchy, in May 1660...
– 29 May), a Garland King is paraded around the streets wearing an extremely large garland of flowers, followed by local girls dressed in white with flowers. The village is also famous for its display of Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
lights and decorations during the festive season. There are four "show caves" to visit (one of them by boat) and at least one of them is open all year
Famous people
- Isaac AmbroseIsaac AmbroseIsaac Ambrose was an English Puritan divine, the son of Richard Ambrose, vicar of Ormskirk, and was probably descended from the Ambroses of Lowick in Furness, a well-known Roman Catholic family....
: a PuritanPuritanThe Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
author, was a churchman here in 1627. - William DawkinsWilliam Boyd DawkinsProfessor Sir William Boyd Dawkins, FRS, KBE was a British geologist and archaeologist. He was a member of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, Curator of the Manchester Museum and Professor of Geology at Owens College, Manchester. He is noted for his research on fossils and the antiquity of man...
: found important fossils near Castleton - Charles RoeCharles RoeCharles Roe was an English industrialist. He played an important part in establishing the silk industry in Macclesfield, Cheshire and later became involved in the mining and metal industries.-Early life and career:...
: industrialist was born here in 1715
Walking
Castleton is popular with walkers, as the area is very beautiful, there is plenty of accommodation, and there are many public footpaths leading from the village. There are easy walks along the river to Hope, Brough, BamfordBamford
Bamford is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District, England, close to the River Derwent. To the north-east is Bamford Edge, and to the south-east the location of the water treatment works covering the Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs. Though locally Bamford is described as being in the...
and (rather further) Hathersage
Hathersage
Hathersage is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District, in England. It lies on the north bank of the River Derwent, approximately 10 miles west of Sheffield...
, or there is a short strenuous walk up onto the Great Ridge, where magnificent views can be enjoyed before descending to Edale
Edale
Edale is a small Derbyshire village and Civil parish in the Peak District, in the Midlands of England. The Parish of Edale,area ,is in the Borough of High Peak....
or returning to Castleton. Hayfield
Hayfield
Hayfield is a village and civil parish in the Borough of High Peak, in the county of Derbyshire, England. The village lies approximately east of New Mills, south of Glossop and north of Buxton by road....
is a short day's walk away beyond Rushup Edge
Rushup Edge
Rushup Edge is a ridge in the Derbyshire Peak District of England. The ridge's highest point is Lord's Seat at , while Mam Tor lies at its eastern end, beyond which the Great Ridge runs.-References:...
. A medium-distance two- or three-day "trail", the Limestone Way
Limestone Way
The Limestone Way is a long-distance bridleway in Derbyshire, England. It runs through the White Peak of the Peak District National Park, from Castleton south east to Rocester over the county boundary in Staffordshire. It originally ran to Matlock, but was diverted to its current, longer route to...
, starts in Castleton by running south down Cave Dale
Cave Dale
Cave Dale is a dry limestone valley in the Derbyshire Peak District, England. It is located at grid reference . The northern end of the dale starts at the village of Castleton where the valley sides are almost perpendicular and over 50 metres in height...
(past the rear of the castle) before climbing out of the village and heading for Monyash
Monyash
Monyash is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District about five miles west of Bakewell.Monyash lies at an elevation of 300m above sea level, and has a population of about 280 people. The village is located in a shallow hollow in the limestone plateau at the head of Lathkill Dale, which starts just...
, Youlgreave
Youlgreave
Youlgreave or Youlgrave is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District, lying on the River Bradford, four kilometres south of Bakewell. Both spellings are used on different local signposts and on different maps. The name possibly derives from "yellow grove" , though was historically called "Giolgrave"...
, and Matlock.
On television
The town was featured in Most Haunted: Midsummer MurdersMost Haunted: Midsummer Murders
Most Haunted: Midsummer Murders is a spin-off series of the paranormal television series, Most Haunted. It ran on LivingTV between 19 June 2007 and 7 August 2007.- Idea :...
episode three where the team "investigates" the murder of an engaged couple said to take place in the 18th century. Much of the "investigation" takes place in Speedwell Cavern
Speedwell Cavern
The Speedwell Cavern is one of the four show caves in Castleton, Derbyshire, England.It consists of a horizontal lead miners' adit leading to the cavern itself, a limestone cave...
. One of the conspirators, James Ashton, is said to have confessed to the murders on his deathbed after being haunted by the dead couple. He also implicated others involved. Castleton also featured in national news reports in the early 1980s following the murder of Susan Renhard
Susan Renhard
Susan Renhard was a student murdered in Cave Dale near Castleton, Derbyshire in Derbyshire 1983. Norman Hugh Smith, a young student, later admitted to her sexual assault but denied strangling her. He is thought to still be in prison.-Background:...
near the battlements of Peveril Castle.
The local underground caves were used as the filming location for the underworld, ruled by the evil Lady of the Green Kirtle
Lady of the Green Kirtle
The Lady of the Green Kirtle, also called Queen of Underland and Queen of the Deep Realm, is the main villain in The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis. She is sometimes called briefly the Green Lady , and she is known also as the Emerald Witch; neither name, however, appears in Lewis's text...
(played by Barbara Kellerman
Barbara Kellerman
Barbara R. Kellerman is an English actress, noted for her film and television roles. She trained at Rose Bruford College. Kellerman's Jewish parents had fled Nazi Germany and settled in Leeds, briefly living in Manchester before returning to Leeds by 1952...
), in the 1990 BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
adaptation of The Silver Chair
The Silver Chair
The Silver Chair is part of The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels written by C. S. Lewis. It was the fourth book published and is the sixth book chronologically. It is the first book published in the series in which the Pevensie children do not appear. The main characters are...
(one of the Narnia books written by C.S. Lewis).
The town is also featured briefly in the play The Devil is an Ass
The Devil is an Ass
The Devil is an Ass is a Jacobean comedy by Ben Jonson, first performed in 1616 and first published in 1631.The Devil is an Ass followed Bartholomew Fair , one of the author's greatest works, and marks the start of the final phase of his dramatic career...
by Ben Johnson
Ben Jonson
Benjamin Jonson was an English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor. A contemporary of William Shakespeare, he is best known for his satirical plays, particularly Volpone, The Alchemist, and Bartholomew Fair, which are considered his best, and his lyric poems...
, first performed in 1616.