The evidence abounds, from prehistoric cave paintings, ancient druidic stone circles, hilltop forts and the legacy of Roman and Norman invasions, through centuries of farming, mining and quarrying to the great monuments of the industrial revolution – fascinating, unique markers in history for us to explore and uncover today.
Written in stone
Peak District rocks and minerals, such as limestone, fluorspar, Blue John and lead, have been used for thousands of years. Today, quarrying and mineral-workings leave holes in the landscape but remain an important part of the local economy. The industry has a long history – lead mining was first carried out by the Romans and reached its peak in the 18th century when the industry employed more than 10,000 miners.
The remains of this intensive lead mining activity can still be seen today in the form of distinctive humps and hollows, as well as numerous old pump houses and kilns throughout the Peak District, such as Magpie Mine near Sheldon, now a scheduled monument. Visit the Peak District Mining Museum at Matlock Bath where you can experience first hand the forgotten world of the Derbyshire lead miners.
Also evident are the many unfinished or broken millstones along the area's gritstone edges – carved in situ out of the local gritstone and originally destined for the nearby mills of Sheffield, the stones were discarded or abandoned when they were no longer required by industry.
Further back in time, the stone circles at Arbor Low, Hartshill, Nine Ladies, Gardom's Edge, near Baslow and the many cairns, tumuli and burial mounds are evidence of man's long presence in the region, while in the caves that honeycomb the limestone gorge at Creswell Crags, ice age people documented their lives with rock paintings and engravings around 13,000 years ago!
Travel thousands of years forward in time and visit Peveril Castle, positioned high above the pretty village of Castleton and built by one of William the Conqueror's knights, or Bolsover Castle, built in 1612 by Sir Charles Cavendish and completed by his son William.
Be sure to visit the Old House Museum in Bakewell, which houses a fascinating local history collection and has costume exhibitions, children's toys, a Victorian schoolroom and exhibitions of early photography.
For an online guide to the best of the Peak District's natural and cultural heritage, including places to visit and great ideas for how you can enjoy the special landscape of the Peak District, pick up one of Peak Experience's guides, or visit our partner website, Peak Experience.
