Grindleford

In a glorious setting in the Derwent Valley, Grindleford is surrounded by wooded hillsides, looking up to some classic gritstone edge scenery.

Grindleford developed from a group of small agricultural settlements with the coming of the railway to the Hope Valley in the 1880's. The old part of the village was around the Green, at the foot of Sir William Hill, where there is now a fine War Memorial and some pretty cottages. The river is crossed by bridges on the site of the ancient ford that gave the village its' name. There are some very grand houses on the Padley hillside and much of the building in Grindleford is of fine local sandstone from nearby Stoke Hall Quarry. Stoke Hall is a grand stately home in miniature a mile south of the village, it is not open to the public.

Things to do in Grindleford:

• Some of the very best walking routes in the Peak are around Grindleford and much of the area is managed by the National Trust, including the beautiful Padley Gorge, leafy Haywood and the glorious Longshaw Estate.
• Delightful riverside paths lead through green fields and woodland to Hathersage and Froggatt. To the east is the wooded ridge of Froggatt Edge, popular for climbing and hang gliding.
• The Derwent Valley Heritage Trail runs through the village. Behind the station is Padley Chapel all that remains of a medieval manor house, and the scene of the capture of the Padley Martyrs in 1588. An annual pilgrimage is held in July and the Chapel opens to the public on summer weekends and Wednesdays.
• A lively carnival week is held every June and a Village Show in August.
• There are good facilities with a well-stocked village shop, post office, two hotels, an art gallery and a renowned café in the old station buildings, there is also a fine country inn at the northern end of Froggatt Edge.
• At Longshaw Lodge the National Trust has a visitor centre and café and sheep dog trials are held here in September.