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Ashford in the water Ashford in the Water takes its name from 'the ford by the ash trees' where the ancient Sheepwash Bridge now stands one of 3 in the village to cross the river. There is a small enclosure to one side explaining the name for the bridge, which is occasionally used for it's original purpose. This beautiful picturesque village north east of Bakewell and positioned on the river Wye is very popular with tourists who are attracted from the nearby A6 by its immediate charm and candidacy for Derbyshire's most picturesque village. The village was established around the ford over the river Wye on the ancient route of the Portway and was surrounded by lead mines. Although all the only industry left is the tourist industry the village has a long industrial heritage. A corn mill existed nine hundred years ago and Ashford had woollen mills in 1339. The Wye drove many mills, but perhaps the best known are the marble mills, established by Henry Watson in 1748. Ashford black marble was mined on the edge of the village at Rookery Wood. It was used in many medieval churches and for the chimney pieces at nearby Haddon Hall in the 1590's. Ashford has six wells around the village,
some still with working pumps and the well dressing takes place annually
each summer. The Holy Trinity Church with its square battlement tower
nestles amongst the mainly limestone dwellings of the village. Across the
road stands the rambling 17th century coaching inn, the Ashford Arms named
in 1988 formerly the Devonshire Arms in 1811, and before that the Stags
Head. Although strong on food and accommodation there are three cask ales on
offer, Stones, Bass and a guest. Neil Parkin Flagg Flagg is one of Chesterfield & District CAMRA's western most outposts. Just in our area as opposed to High Peak's it is one of Derbyshire's most remote of villages. Set 1,000 feet above sea level on the central limestone plateau of the White Peak west of Bakewell. The characteristic ridges and furrows of the medieval open fields, enclosed by stone walls in the 17 and 18th centuries has been preserved in the farmland around Flagg. During the period of enclosure hundreds of miles of dry stone walls were built dividing the land and adding character. However unlike many of the surrounding villages in the Peak, Flagg has a flat and almost featureless landscape giving the area a more remote and isolated feel. The narrow lane to Flagg off the A515 Ashbourne-Buxton road which crosses over the bleak Flagg Moor, is signposted beside the 15th century Bull i' th' Thorn. Popular with tourists, locals and reputedly ghosts this welcome outpost boasts a medieval banquet room, children's farm and accommodation. The Plough Inn is to be found in Flagg, opened again 3 years ago by Peter Loundes & Julie Sutcliffe this free house refurbished by Peter & Julie dates back to 1847 when it was known as the Star. Traditional food is available including meals in the dining room, family room or bar. Real ale available at the time of our visit was Mansfield Cask plus a guest. Neil Parkin Whitwell - Past &
Present The historic parish of Whitwell lies close to where the counties of Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire meet at the 'Shire Oak' (which sadly no longer exists) in an area that was once covered by Sherwood Forest. The first reference to a settlement at Whitwell was made in 1002 and by the 19th century the Duke of Portland was lord of the manor and principal landowner. From Trade Directory records for 1827 we can
establish that the two oldest inns in the village were the GEORGE INN (later
referred to as the OLD GEORGE INN) and the BOOT & SHOE. Situated near the
church, the George Inn was an old coaching inn and once had stabling and
harnessing facilities adjoining it. A Worksop & Retford Brewery house, it
closed in the 1960's and was converted into flats. The BUTCHERS' ARMS dates back to the 1840's and is so-called because an early landlord, William Marshall, was also a butcher. In 1900 it was bought by Mappin's Brewery of Rotherham, who subsequently merged with William Stones Ltd of Sheffield in 1954. The final pub in the village centre is the JUG & GLASS which was first listed in 1846. By the late 19th century it was owned by the FOX BREWERY, Fox Road, Whitwell, run by Joseph Minkley. The last brew is said to have taken place in either 1900 or 1901. When brewing finished, the two pubs (the Jug & Glass and the Royal Oak, Bakestone Moor) were sold to James Hole & Co., brewers of Newark, together with a 'beer off' business known as 'Fox House'. Holes continued to own both pubs until at least the 1950's. Whilst the brewery has been demolished and a private house 'The Old Brewery' occupies the site, the old brewery offices are still standing. The ROYAL OAK at Bakestone Moor (originally known as Baxton Moor) was first listed in 1868 as a beerhouse. The most recent change of brewery ownership was enforced on it in July 1999 when Wards Brewery of Sheffield was closed and its tenanted pub estate was bought by Pubmaster. The MALLET & CHISEL on Hillside was originally a beerhouse and was first listed as the MALLET & TOOL. A full licence was not granted until 1967. It was formerly owned by Worksop & Retford Brewery. The building is believed to date back to the 16th century although the beerhouse business only commenced in the 1850's. Two pubs in the parish that are no longer open are the PORTLAND ARMS at Belph which was owned by the Duke of Portland (most of the residents of Belph in the 19th century were his employees). It was first listed in 1852 and its licence lapsed in 1908. The DALE INN at Whitwell Common was built in 1840 and in the 1950's was a Worksop & Retford Brewery house. By the time the pub closed in 1994, ownership had passed to Whitbread. It is now a private residence. The HALF MOON can still be found at Red Hill, just north of the village, on the old Chesterfield to Worksop turnpike road (now the A619). The premises are said to have been built in the 1700's and the first recorded landlord was Samuel Cutts, 1753-67. Once owned by Home Brewery, the pub is now a Tom Cobleigh establishment. 'Half Moon' was a popular 18th century pub name, often said to be a religious symbol representing the Virgin Mary. Finally, the SPIRIT VAULTS was first listed in 1862 although from 1895 onwards it was known more simply as the VAULTS or the VAULTS HOTEL (1951). It was bought from a private owner by Kimberley Brewery (possibly in the 1930's) and then was refurbished, extended and renamed as the HOLMEFIELD ARMS in the late 1950's. It is currently a Mansfield Brewery house. Jim McIntosh
Youlgreave Typical of the White Peak area this Derbyshire village offers many things to its visitors. Lying in the Bradford Dale the village is dominated by the Church of All Saints. The church contains some of the parts of the original Saxon building though its ancient font has been turned over and is used as a sundial. The Norman font inside the church retains its stoop for holding the Holy Water and as such is believed to be the only one left in England. In the centre of Youlgreave is the Conduit Head, a gritstone water tank that is locally known as the fountain and for good reason. Built by the villages own water company in 1826, it supplied soft fresh water for an annual fee of sixpence. In celebration of their new clean water supply, the villagers held their first well-dressing in 1829. Nowadays Youlgreave continues this tradition with their well dressers all in great demand for help and advice. Talking of watering holes, lets start with the Bulls Head Hotel a fine old building in the centre of Youlgreave. Obviously a former coaching inn retaining its drive through entrance. Back in the 19th century the youngest daughter of the landlord, a woman called Jane Shimwell married Alexander McDougal, the inventor of the self raising flour. She ended up Lady McDougal and presumably cooked a mean pie when the fancy took her. Back to the present day this comfortable popular traditional pub owned by W&D offered us Marstons Bitter, Pedigree, Bank's Bitter plus occasional guest. All were tried, all were enjoyed and all will be re visited. The Farmyard Inn in Main Street Youlgreave was, yes, of course a farm building. This extensively refurbished building (good job) which dates in parts to the 17th century, is now a comfortable village pub popular with locals. There is accommodation available with the rooms being christened, the Pig sty, Cow shed & Sheep pen. There is also the original cottage open fire. We were offered hand pulled Bass or the guest which on the day we visited was Stones. Well worth a visit on your travels through the village. Don't be deceived by the new signs outside advertising a nitro keg beer! Finally under the shadow of the All Saints Church is the George, a Good Beer Guide entry for some time and deservedly so too. A friendly welcome awaits you and a bank of handpulls offering Theakstons XB, Theakstons Mild, John Smiths plus guest. This large three roomed pub attracts all sorts of customers, locals, walkers, hikers and drinkers! Also on offer are eggs and flowers and watch out for other local produce. Food is also available and very popular it is too! Overall, Youlgreave is well worth a visit and a drink! Neil Parkin This webpage was last updated on Sunday, 02 September 2007 |
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