Stanton-in-Peak, A Village of Views and Archaeology

Stanton in Peak is a picturesque village with outstanding views over the Derbyshire countryside. It is a typical Derbyshire hill village set out either side of a steep main street. It lies at the northern end of Stanton Moor which is notable for its archaeology. William Pole Thornhill built a viewing platform, known locally as 'The Stand' on the Rowsley road. The Stand contains a stone bench and overlooks the beautiful valley where the River Bradford joins the Wye at Fillyford Bridge.

Close to Bakewell and Chatsworth

This historic village is situated a short drive from Bakewell - the 'gateway to the Peak District'. The Peak District's two major stately homes, Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall are not far away.

The Buildings of Stanton-in-Peak

Many of the houses date from the 17th and 18th centuries, with some mid-Victorian additions by William Pole Thornhill (1805-75). Perhaps one of the earliest, and the most unusual, is the three-storey structure of Holly House, which stands facing the main street with 8 of its 14 windows blocked up - a result of the window tax in 1697 - the house being at least half a century earlier. Close by stand a pair of houses with door lintel dates of 1664.

Image: Main street, Stanton-in-Peak.
Image: Stanton-in-Peak.

A walk around Stanton-in-Peak away from the main street is highly recommended and proves very rewarding, not least for its unexpected little courtyards and quaint corners, around which hidden gardens seem to lie in surprise.

On the corner opposite Holly House stands the village's only public house, the unusually named 'Flying Childers', named after a Derby winning racehorse owned by the 4th Duke of Devonshire.

At the top of the village stands the Methodist Chapel of 1829, and Stanton also has a magnificent Reading Room, given by Mrs. Thornhill-Gell in 1876, which is now used as the Village Hall.

Stanton Moor

Taking its name from the village, Stanton Moor is an island of gritstone in a sea of limestone. It is a mix of heth and wooded slopes criss-crossed by ancient trails. It is well known for its bronze age burial mounds and the Nine Ladies stone circle. Sadly, vandals have damaged the Kings Stone, an outlying stone to this magnificent archaeological site. There are other stone circles on the moor, tucked in amongst the heather and young birch trees. These were extensively excavated by local antiquarians Heathcote and Bateman. More recent history includes quarrying and the Earl Grey Tower built by the Thornhill family to commemorate the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832.

The Thornhill Family of Stanton-in-Peak

Stanton Hall is set in rolling parkland and has superb views over the valley. The Hall dates from the late 16th century. This 5,000 acre estate is the home of the Thornhill family. The hall was extensively rebuilt in 1693, and extended further over a century later by Bache Thornhill. Today only one gabled bay remains of the original building.

Successive generations of Thornhills have been responsible for the majority of buildings in the village. This includes the Holy Trinity church, provided by William Pole Thornhill in 1839. This picturesque little church with its perpendicular spire stands almost adjacent to the hall on the hillside, surrounded by well manicured green lawns and a well kept garden of remembrance .

Stanton's Seasons

This hillside village changes character with the seasons. In the severest winters it can be cut-off by blizzards and seem an isolated and inhospitable place. Pictured at the top of the page, the evening sun imbues a mellow warmth to the gritstone buildings. In in the summer months it is transformed into a welcoming and colourful village of immense charm. The sound of leather on willow echoes from the immaculately kept and stunningly situated cricket ground high above the village, which at 850ft above sea-level is one of the highest in the county.

Condensed from Tom Bates 'Insider's guide to Peak District Villages' series of leaflets which are available through local outlets.