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Peak District Towns and Villages: Tideswell

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

Local Services:

B & B

Self Catering

Food and Drink

Local Geography:
Area Map

Nearby Villages

Local Attractions

Tideswell Church
Tideswell Church
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.

Wheston Cross
Wheston Cross
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.

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.
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.
Monsal TrailThe Monsal Trail is Derbyshire Peak District cycle trail which follows the path of the former Midland Railway from Wye Dale to a point beyond Bakewell, mostly following the River Wye.
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.
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