The village of Bonsall is situated amidst the limestone hills two miles south west of Matlock and about the same distance from the A6 at Cromford. The easiest approach is from Cromford. Take the Via Gellia road past the mill pond which winds steadily up the Via Gellia valley on its way to Grangemill, and eventually to Buxton. The turn to Bonsall is on the right after a minute or two by car.

It is right on the edge of the Peak District. It is on two of the regions long distance paths – the Limestone Way and Peak District Boundary Walk.

The main road to Bonsall climbs northward from beside the Via Gellia Mill. You travel up the steep Clatterway before levelling out at the Victorian gothic Fountain beside the village recreation area. Road cyclists sometimes refer to it as the Col du Bonsall as it is a popular clime hereabouts! The Dale branches to the left whilst the main road continues up Yeoman Street to the Market Cross. The road then twists and turns up High Street towards Uppertown and wends its way over Bonsall Moor towards Winster.



The origins of Bonsall

The name of Bonsall is thought to have been derived from that of a settler named Bunt, and ‘Bunteshalle’. This translates as a ‘nook of land belonging to Bunt’. Bonsall was mentioned in passing in the Domesday book. There are two theories as to why. Firstly, it could have been a mistake that it was missed, Secondly, it may have been quite a small settlement, perhaps just two or three homes. The village owes its present size and relative prosperity to the numerous industries which once flourished beside the Bonsall Brook. I have found little or no references to any archaeological settlement of the area.

Bonsall Economy

The now defunct lead mining industry provided the area’s main employment of the 18th century. The area around Bonsall, especially on Bonsall Moor, is rich in old mine workings. these remains indicate lead working was from from extremely shallow ore bodies. They include shallow pits and opencuts plus spoil heaps and a few mechanical items. The area of mining known as Bonsall Leys is nationally important with several key remains. It has been designated as a scheduled monument. Mining began in the 1500s and gradually ended in the nineteenth as the workings became unproductive.

The Bonsall Brook established the village’s industrial connection with Cromford. It was water from the Bonsall Brook and a mine sough and NOT the larger River Derwent, whose power was harnessed by Arkwright to drive the machinery of his first factory at Cromford. During the late 18th century many Bonsall inhabitants found alternative work in the textile mills established by Arkwright at Cromford and Via Gellia.

Image: Cottage with characteristic frame knitters windows on the upper floor. Bonsall, Derbyshire village.

Cottage with characteristic frame knitters windows on the upper floor.

Bonsall also became an important centre for frame-knitting  as a cottage industry. The characteristic long windows of the frame-knitters can still be seen beneath the eaves of a number of cottages today (pictured above). During the mid nineteenth century, there were more knitters than worked for Arkwright at the Cromford Mill.

T’Owd Man o’ Bonsall

You probably know this better as T’Owd Man o’ Wirksworth! This medieval carving is currently firmly cemented in place in Wirksworth Church. It appears it actually  belongs in Bonsall. A church warden named John Coates was the custodian of this medieval carving which depicts a miner of the era. It is not clear how or when, but it was given to Wirksworth Church. There have been a couple of attempts to get the original back, but nothing very determined, therefore Bonsall only has a replica (in the Bandstand wall).

Image: TOwd Man o Wirksworth

Fish, chips and bikes …

Just before the second World War there were 26 shops in Bonsall and you could buy anything from a bag of fish & chips to a new bicycle. Sadly they have all gone, butchers, bakers, and candle makers, along with the two tea-rooms and several grocer’s shops. Bonsall however, remains a vibrant and interesting Derbyshire Peak District village, best explored on foot.

Reference book which includes information and photographs about mining on Bonsall Moor

Peak District Mining and Quarrying – at last, a local history book that is easy to read and holds your interest for more than a few minutes at a time! Fascinating, well illustrated, non-technical and with a social angle throughout. I bought mine via Amazon.co.uk with a decent discount off the shop price (sorry, I don’t know if they are still doing the discount).

The Mills of Bonsall Brook

The brook also powered a corn mill, a joinery mill, a mill where Blue John stone was shaped and polished, and a colour mill at the bottom of the Clatterway. These mill industries are long since gone but the Via Gellia Mill remains. This mill gave its name to the famous Viyella brand of textiles produced there. It was converted and refurbished in 1986 to provide a working environment for a number of small businesses.

Bonsall’s Buildings and Religion

Another major feature of Bonsall architecture is the Parish Church of St. James whose crenellated tower rises proudly on the hillside high above Yeoman Street. Built originally about 1230, it was extensively restored by Ewan Christian in 1863. It is said to have the highest chancel in England. From the yew tree and terraced churchyard there are magnificent views of the surrounding hills, and down into the village. Directly below you see the Victorian Gothic Fountain. This is dedicated to Henry Ford of Manchester and was restored by the Parish Council in 1993.

Image: Bonsall Church

A further religious connection is that John Wesley preached from atop the thirteen circular steps of the 17th century  stone cross in the Market Place, and his followers quenched their thirst in the King’s Head close by where they would have seen the initials of the first landlord, Anthony Abell alongside the date 1677 carved above the entrance.

During the late nineteenth century, Bonsall had chapels belonging to the Baptists, Wesleyans, and Primitive Methodists. There was also a free school for 50 children, founded in 1704 by William Cragge and Robert Ferne, as well as a parochial schools for girls and infants.

Image: Row of cottages opposite Bonsall Church.

Cottages opposite Bonsall Church.

The oldest dwelling, I believe, is the charming Elizabethan Manor House in High Street. Perhaps the most imposing and mysterious is the high-walled Rectory. This  stands beyond St. James’ and at the upper end of Church Street. Here, the old road to Cromford is now just a rough track. Opposite the churchyard entrance Ember Lane begins its journey over Masson to join Salter Lane on its way to Matlock.

Well Dressing

There are a number of wells in and around the village. These are dressed annually during the Wakes festivities when a village carnival marks the Feast of St. James, usually on the Saturday before the first Monday in August.

UFO over Bonsall

During the second half of the year 2000, there were 19 separate reported sightings of UFOs. One of the sightings happened to be caught on camera. A resident of Slaley, close to Bonsall, shot a sequence of several minutes showing what many believe to be a UFO. As a result of this fortuitous footage, she made a fair bit of cash because she sold it to a US TV company. So when visiting Bonsall, keep your eyes open and get ready with the camera! It is said to resemble one spotted from a Space Shuttle mission 3 years earlier.

Accommodation near to Bonsall



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