Strenuous Leader : John Distance : 11 miles
From the car park we will make our way to Eyam Hall then turn, at the school, up a wee path for our first climb up to Sir William Hill Road. We turn to stay on the road down to Grinleford then turn left over the bridge to a small church where we turn right for what will be our second climb up and though Hay Woods. Once through the woods we will climb onto the ridge Froggatt Edge and then along Curbar Edge and make our way down to Curbar. We will then turn past the Craft Centre up to Stocking Farm to pick up the path at the side of the river follow it round to New Bridge, heading to Froggatt Bridge we make our third climb up to New Road and then head back to Eyam.
Total ascent 2300 feet.
Moderate Leader: Laura Distance : 9 miles
We leave Eyam on a byway Riley Lane, through Riley Wood to Riley Graves, then on to Stoke Wood. We descent to Froggatt Bridge and pick up an ascending trail through Bee Wood that levels out to Curbar. We walk upstream from Calver along the Goit to the New Bridge and along the River Derwent. We turn west along footpaths up to Stoney Middleton, to see the Roman Baths and the Octagonal Church. There is believed to be Middleton Hall nearby too. Yet another settlement, full of history and beautiful cottages. Near the site of the old bootmakers, we pick up another byway for an upward ascent to Eyam passing Lydgate Graves on the outskirts. The byway finishes at Village Green Tearooms in the centre of the village. (highly recommended – closes at 4pm). Expect to walk through pastures of cattle and there are about three wall stiles on route.
Total ascent 362 metres, 1187 feet.
Easy Leader: no leader for this group Distance : tbc
Maps will be provided for this group to produce their own walk or independent activities.
NOTES ON THE AREA
Eyam is pronounced ‘Eem’ and has become known as “The Plague Village”. It was in August 1665 that the village first suffered from the Bubonic Plague. The disease came to England via the trade routes from China, spreading quickly in London and was caused by bites from fleas which had previously lived on the bodies of infected black rats. It is thought that the disease came to Eyam in a parcel of cloth delivered from London to the local tailor, George Viccars, who lodged with Widow Cooper in one of the cottages by the church. After opening the parcel, George Viccars found the cloth damp, so he put it in front of the fire to dry. This was possibly his undoing; for after developing a fever, then rashes on his body, he died on 7th September 1665. Others in the same house died within weeks and the disease then spread throughout the village. Most of you will know that the rhyme “Ring a ring of roses” comes from the plague. We say “Bless you” when we sneeze as that was the first symptom of the illness.
It was the rector, William Mompesson, together with his non-conformist friend and predecessor, Thomas Stanley, who united the village and persuaded the villagers to stay within the boundaries of the village to stop the disease from spreading throughout Derbyshire. With the help of the Earl of Devonshire, who arranged for food and other needs to be left at the Boundary Stone, now known as Mompesson’s Well, the epidemic was kept within Eyam. Coins, as payment, were left soaking in vinegar so that suppliers of goods knew that they would not be infected. In all 259 people died during 1665 and 1666, but without the heroism of the villagers of Eyam, the plague would have spread all over the county. Not everyone who caught it died. People who recovered became grave diggers.
Eyam Church is dedicated to St Lawrence, having been used for worship since Saxon times. Inside the 850 year old church is a fascinating exhibition telling the story of the plague. In the churchyard is an 8th century Celtic cross decorated with carvings of angels. There is also a sundial from the late 18th century and many interesting headstones, including one to Harry Bagshaw, a famous Derbyshire cricketer.
Eyam Hall is a beautiful manor house, built in 1671, home of the Wright family. The present incumbents inherited the house in 1990 and two years later opened it to the public. Interested visitors will see history through the eyes of one family for over 320 years.
Foolow is a former lead mining village gathered attractively around the village green. It boasts a 14th century stone cross, a bull ring and a mere. At the edge of the green is a well with steps leading down. The Bulls Head Inn is the last surviving pub in the village; at one time there were five.