Pictures of Hartington

About Hartington

Hartington is a small village centred around a medieval market place, with attractive 18th and 19th century buildings. Amongst these is the parish church of St.Giles which stands above the market square surrounded by ancient graves and tombstones.

The village has a pleasant atmosphere, in the summer months it is a "hot spot" for tourists and walkers as there is access from the village to many of the upper Dove's most beautiful regions, including the beautiful Beresford Dale. It has a few souvenir shops and friendly cafe's.

Hartington Hall is a lovely manor house of the Tudor era, it was built by Robert Bateman in 1611, and local legend tells that Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at the manor in 1745. The house is beautifully gabled, with fine oak panelling to the interior, it is now an atmospheric youth hostel.

The village celebrates the life of Charles Cotton who was born at nearby Beresford Hall, the village pub is names after him. Charles Cotton, together with his friend Isaac Walton, wrote "The Complete Angler" it was Cotton who introduced Walton to the delights of the Peak District, particularly the beautiful River Dove.

In the village square is a shop selling Stilton cheese, this is made in a factory located at the edge of the village. Also, a little way out of the village visitors can find what remains of the old Hartington railway station. This is now a pleasant picnic area, with visitor facilities, and a small information centre in what was formerly the signal box. The rail track forms part of the Tissington Trail, used by both cyclists and walkers.

The village is a prosperous place, as evidenced by the many picturesque properties dotted around. The surrounding landscape is home to a few scattered farms, this is less open than in medieval times and is criss-crossed by stone walls affording protection to sheep and cattle from the perilous winds known to wreak havoc across the wild hills and valleys of the Peak countryside.