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Peak District Towns and Villages: Bradwell

An index to Peak District towns and villages including Bradwell, Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Leek, Matlock, Macclesfield and Wirksworth in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, England, UK.
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Bradwell

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Nearby Villages

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Bradwell (or Bradda as it is known locally) is one of the few villages of this area which does not seem to be totally preoccupied with the tourist industry, perhaps because the village has a significant amount of local industry - with an engineering works in the lower part of the village, the Blue Circle cement works a short distance over to the west and a small ice-cream works in the village itself.

A view of Hope cement works
A view of Hope cement works
Like many other villages of the area, Bradwell was once an important centre for lead-mining (the 'Bradda Beaver' hat was universally worn in the lead mines in the 19th century) and the moor above the village is scarred by the remains of many mines, some of which are now being worked for Fluorspar.

The discreet charms of Bradwell are fairly well hidden from the average passer-by, for the main part of the village clings to a steep hillside above the main road and can hardly be seen. The centre of the village, which lies above the brook just south of the main road, is a rabbit-warren of tiny cottages and narrow lanes with picturesque names like Soft Water Lane, Hungry Lane and Hollowgate. From here the houses spread right up the hillside, from where there are fine views across the Hope Valley.

Bradwell
Bradwell
Though most of the village dates from the lead-mining era, Bradwell has a long history - the narrow street called Smalldale follows the line of the Roman road between Brough and Buxton. A Saxon earthwork called the Grey Ditch runs from Bradwell Edge to Micklow Hill near the New Bath Hotel, where there is a thermal spring and the remains of a Roman Bath were found.

On the road to Tideswell up Bradwell Dale lies Hazelbadge Hall, one of the oldest houses in the area, which was built in 1549 and still has the arms of the Vernon family on its wall. Bradwell is also noted as the home of Samuel Fox, the inventor of the modern umbrella mechanism. His house is marked with a plaque and lies just off the main street.

Also of interest is the home of Bradwell's Home-made Dairy Ice Cream, in the centre of the village, and Bagshawe Cavern, (open to visitors & adventure caving groups) up the hill to the South.

Brough is a nearby small hamlet on the banks of the River Noe, important in Roman times as the site of the Anavio fort, an important factor in the Roman occupation of the Peak District. Here Batham Gate, the Roman road from Buxton, met the roads from Melandra (near Glossop) and that which came from Sheffield and Doncaster via Stanage edge. On the mound behind the modern hamlet the Romans built a wooden stockade about AD70 and this was replaced by a stone one around AD150. Altars and a commemorative stone from the fort are in the Buxton museum. After about AD200 the fort was only intermittently garrisoned but a settlement grew up around this central road junction.

Nearby Places of Interest

Bagshaw CavernBagshaw Cavern, a cave system in Bradwell, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. A largely natural cave system discovered by lead miners in 1806. Open to the public on summer weekends as a show cave and for Adventure Caving.
Blue John MineBlue John Mine, Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is a popular cavern which was once mined for lead and Blue John.
Derwent DamsThe Derwent Dams provide water for Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester and are situated near the Hope Valley, in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Eldon HoleEldon Hole is one of the seven wonders of the Peak. It is the deepest local pothole; an alarming, evil-looking chasm in the side of Eldon Hill to the north of the village of Peak Forest, Derbyshire.
Hathersage ChurchThe Church at Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, stands close to an ancient Danish settlement and is linked to the Eyre family. Little John - of Robin Hood fame - is said to be buried here.
Mam TorMam Tor is an Iron Age fort overlooking Castleton and Hope Valley, Derbyshire. It has the remains of impressive Iron Age ramparts and a splendid view.
Peak CavernPeak Cavern (the Devil's Arse) Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, is the largest and most famous cavern at Castleton and the only totally natural one.
Peveril CastlePeveril Castle, Castleton, Hope Valley. A Norman and mediaeval castle founded in 1080 by William Peveril - an illegitimate son of William I - in what was then the Royal Forest of the Peak.
Speedwell CavernSpeedwell Cavern at Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is the most popular cavern in the Castleton area and boasts several large chambers and an underwater canal.
Tideswell ChurchTideswell Church, Derbyshire, is known as the 'Cathedral of the Peak' because it is the largest and most beautiful church in the area. It has several fine carved tombs.
Treak Cliff CavernTreak Cliff Cavern, Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire is a popular cavern famous for its Blue John.
Winnats PassWinnats Pass, Castleton, Derbyshire, is a long collapsed limestone cave system which now forms a steep sided and craggy valley.
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