Hartington

In the heart of the Peak District, in the Dove Valley lies the village of Hartington.
Conveniently located between the bigger towns of Ashbourne and Buxton, Hartington not only has its own attractions, but it is also a great base from which to discover the beauty of the surrounding area.

Hartington was once a market town and whilst the Market Place can still be seen today,
sadly there is no longer a market. The Market Place itself is surrounded by some lovely 18th and 19th century buildings. Other noted architectural and historic sites are Hartington Church and Hartington Hall. The church was built between the 14th and 15th centuries and is renowned for its tower. Hartington Hall dates from the 1600s. This is a wonderful Tudor mansion house and was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie himself in 1745 en route to London.

There is evidence of Hartington's history all around, from the Neolithic remains found at
Arbor Low to Pilsbury Castle, a fantastic example of a motte and bailey castle. Once home to the Earls of Derby (the de Ferrars family), Pilsbury's eminence waned as Hartington town, lying only two miles away, grew in economic importance.

The most famous of the White Peak dales, Dovedale, is very close to Hartington and is a popular place for walking. The Tissington Trail and the Manifold Valley are both easy to reach walks. Manifold Valley offers Thor's Cave and Beeston Tor for added interest.

The town has some lovely shops and restaurants. Once a famed cheese producing area, it is still possible to savour the famous Hartington at many places within the town.