Pictures of Chelmorton

About Chelmorton

This enchanting village is truly one of the Peak District National Park's hidden treasures. Although 'hidden' is perhaps not quite the right word because it is always thronged with enthusiastic visitors, all enjoying the warm spring sunshine and admiring the many beautiful old stone properties which have adorned this precious landscape for two hundred years or more.

One of the highest places in the High Peaks, the village is built along the banks of a stream called Illy Willy Water which flows down from the hills of nearby Chelmorton Low. What later became the main street of the village was built clustered around the stream, and thus this attractive natural feature remains to this day. Another distinct feature, noticed on approach to the village, is the surrounding patchwork of 'medieval 'strip fields'. These were laid out centuries ago and because of the poor value of the soil, they have fortunately remained unaltered giving us a glimpse of how the land looked in Medieval times.

One of the most interesting buildings in the main street, is Primitive Hall, where a Summer Ball is hosted by the Hall's owners Lord and Lady Hollinsclough. Other noted events in the village are the lively Well Dressing Festival in June and the arduous Fell Race in September.

The oldest building in the village is the church. It has church records dating back the middle of the 13th-century but there is evidence to support the theory that building may have begun as early as the start of the 12th-century. It is a handsome church with many fascinating relics from the past. In the porch there are early sculptures and slabs from graves that may belong to Saxon times. There is a beautiful octagonal font and an interesting Baroque memorial tablet dating 1683.

Walking around the town is a most pleasurable experience and when your feet grow weary, the delightful village pub offers a friendly welcome with an added bonus of excellent food, ale and wines.

There are some beautiful walks in these limestone dales and hills. Local legend tells of a nearby burial ground, thought to be that of a Brigantes tribal
chief.