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 | Tideswell (known locally as 'Tidza') is one of the most ancient settlements in the central Peak District and was granted a charter for a market in 1251 - these were held regularly until relatively recently. It was the site of the 'Great Courts' of the Royal Forest of the Peak in the time of Edward I and a few of the buildings along the main street have foundations which date from this period. However the major feature from the medieval era is the magnificent 14th-century church, known locally as 'The Cathedral of the Peak'.
This fine church was funded by the local wool trade and by lead mining - for Tideswell was a major centre for the lead-mining industry from medieval times to the nineteenth century. As the mining declined from 1850 onwards, so did the population of the village, and it has only started to recover in recent years.
The village has a range of shops, cafes and pubs (though far fewer of these than it once had).
The nearby hamlet of Wheston is one of the smallest hereabouts, with about 15 houses, mostly farms, and a hall which is reputedly haunted. There is an agricultural supplier here but no shops or amenities.
The main point of interest is the fine 15th-century cross just on the western edge of the hamlet - which is complete, if a little weathered - an extremely unusual state for a medieval cross. It is thought it once marked the boundary of the Royal Forest, and has the Virgin Mary on one side and Christ crucified on the other.
Useful local links:Andrew's Coaches of Tideswell A major local coach firm, based in Tideswell.
Tideswell Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show
0 - Tideswell Church | 
1 - Tideswell Church in snow | 
2 - Tideswell Church - the tomb of Thurstan de Bower | 
3 - Tideswell Church - carving by Advent Hunstone | 
4 - Tideswell Church - medieval womens graves | 
5 - Litton | 
6 - Litton village green | 
7 - Litton - traditional dancing in Wakes week | 
8 - Litton - Tansley Dale walls | 
9 - Tideswell | 
10 - Wheston mediaeval cross | 
11 - Wheston mediaeval cross obverse |
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