A Taste of the Peak District

Accommodation, activities and attractions of the Peak District of the UK

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 Youlgrave was a prosperous market town (with a 14th century charter) and the centre for local lead mining. It is now a good centre for Peak District tourists, with good walking, cycling and is well placed for  access to the rest of the region.

During the midsummer well dressing season, Youlgrave boasts 5 dressed wells.

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Youlgrave (or Youlgreave according to the Ordnance Survey) is situated high above the river Bradford, close to its confluence with the Lathkill. It owes its growth to the mining industry, look around the nearby fields and you will find plenty of reminders of this bygone industry (image). Local miners were known as ‘Groovers’ or ‘Grovers’ (the opencast rakes left grooves in the fields) which may be the origin of the name.

Below - Thimble Hall, Youlgrave

The village itself comprises many traditional style buildings. The Youth Hostel is in the old Co-op building which was built on the site of the original school. The church tower dates from the 15th century and the church yard narrows the main road, creating a bottleneck for traffic - don’t worry if you get stuck there, there is a handy pub (The George Hotel)! Talking of pubs, further along the road is the Bull’s Head which is a 17th century coaching inn. A former landlord’s daughter hit the big time when she became Lady Jane McDougal - of McDougal’s Flour fame.

Close to the Bull’s Head is ‘The Fountain’ (seen below during well dressing) and therin lies a tale. It was built in 1829 to solve the water supply problem of the village. Prior to this, the source of water was the river Bradford so it had to be carried uphill to most of the homes. To get a feel for this task, take the path to the centre of the village from Bradford Dale! The Fountain filled overnight, fed by about 3/4 of a mile of iron piping. Locals, generally the women, gathered round the fountain at about 6 a.m. to collect their water when the waterkeeper unlocked the tap. Thus The Fountain became the focal point of the village. In 1869 the fountain was upgraded to distribute the water via standpipes scattered around the village.

The view approaching Youlgrave from Lathkill Dale