Bakewell to Chapel En Le Frith

There are no questions to be answered in Bakewell but it makes a good starting point. You spend little time on the main 'A' class routes but instead take the backroads through delightful scenery. Most places visited are just hamlets, such as Ashford in the Water & Longstone, both known for the practice of well dressing.

The name of the Eyre family dominates this area of the Peak District, They made much of their money from lead mining & built many properties in the region. Charlotte Bronte based 'Norton' in her novel 'Jane Eyre' on Hathersage. Tideswell, a slight diversion off the A623, boasts a magnificent 14th century church, often called 'The Cathedral of the Peak' for good reason. Its an ancient settlement and was the site of the great Courts of the Royal Forest of the Peak during Edward I's reign. The cobbled market square of Chapel En Le Frith ('chapel in the forest') is a good place to end this route. In 1648 the local church was used to imprison 1500 Scottish soldiers, captured after the battle of Ribbleton Moor by Cromwell's men. After 2 weeks incarceration, 44 died. On a more cheerful note, Chapel En Le Frith also has a well dressing in July.