|
|
Beeley Bringing you information on Peak District Holiday Accommodation , Peak District Holiday Cottages, Campsites and Caravan sites in the Peak District, Pubs In The Peak District, Peak District B&B , Peak District Hotels , Tourist Attractions or Town & Village Business of any kind in the Peak District and Derbyshire.
 | Peak District
Village Guides |
Beeley
The village of Beeley sits snugly amongst the gently undulating wooded hills which rise on the east bank of the River Derwent about a mile and a half due south of Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire - and about a mile along the B6012 from its junction with the A6 at the former rail-head village of Rowsley. The village stands to the east of this road, whilst to the west Lindup Wood rises above the Derwent Valley and there are magnificent views northward to Chatsworth Park.
The proximity of Chatsworth with it's magnificent open parkland has had a major influence on the character of Beeley and it's surrounding landscape ever since Sir William Cavendish bought the Chatsworth Estate on December 31st 1549 - though the village itself remained independent of any Ducal control for another two hundred years until the third Duke of Devonshire purchased Beeley Hill Top in 1747.
Thus, Beeley has enjoyed the benefits of two centuries as an estate village under the control of successive Dukes of Devonshire, and though this is no longer the case with many of the properties having been sold off in recent times, the evidence of Ducal influence can still be plainly seen throughout the village today.
The bleak and mysterious Beeley Moor, famed for its grouse-shooting as well as the notorious`carbon-copy' murders of thirty years ago, rises to 1200 feet above Fallinge Edge to the east.
On Bunker's Hill about a mile north east of the village stands the prehistoric burial mound known as Hob Hurst's House, whilst two hundred yards south the remains of a neolithic stone circle stand close by a derelict tumulus on the barren hillside.
The Beeley Brook collects drainage water from the moors above, and fortified by a stream which drains Fallinge Edge, cascades over several small waterfalls on its way down the hillside, adding charm and character and its sweet natural music to the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere as it runs delightfully through the village to empty into the nearby River Derwent.
It was in these idyllic surroundings that an Anglo-Saxon named Godric cultivated a tiny royal manor at the time of the Norman Conquest, and in 1086 `Begelie' was first recorded in the Domesday Survey, having ninety acres of taxable land - which would have supported a small agricultural community.
Beeley seems to have retained its `small agricultural community' status for almost 500 years until early in the sixteenth century when Lord Vaux of Harrowden sold the manor to John Greaves (1539 - 1621) - just ten years after Bess of Hardwick and her husband had acquired Chatsworth.
It is likely that Beeley Old Hall, which still stands opposite Norman House in the village, was the original manor house until John Greaves purchased the manor in 1559. The family lived in a house called `The Greaves' - from which they took their surname - and this then became the manor house.
Following Greaves' death in 1621 the Old Hall and the manor house were both rebuilt and the latter, where the arms of King James 1st can still be seen above a bedroom mantelpiece, was renamed Beeley Hill Top. Both reverted to farmhouse status late in the 17th century, and in 1747 Beeley Hill Top was purchased by the 3rd Duke of Devonshire.
Standing proudly adjacent to the road and directly opposite the Old Hall in the centre of the village, Norman House is of roughly the same date and was the home of the Norman family who also owned farms at Fallinge and Doewood. Small industry had come to Beeley by 1650, also courtesy of the Norman family. These early entrepreneurial industrial farmers had a lead-smelting mill on Smelting Mill Brook between Beeley and Rowsley, and a tanning yard on Beeley Brook in the village.
Three hundred years ago coal pits on Beeley Moor fuelled both the domestic hearths and the lead-smelting furnaces of Norman's mill, whilst the good quality gritstone mined up on the moor was used for building Chatsworth.
The building programmes undertaken during the 18th & 19th centuries saw the final shaping of the village. The 4th Duke of Devonshire set about improving and enlarging Chatsworth Park and began buying up land and houses in Beeley as they became available. This process was not completed until the 6th Duke's time and the village benefitted from the addition of the Methodist Chapel, built in 1800 and the school, built in 1841.
A new vicarage was added in 1856 and a reading room for estate workers was built shortly before the Parish Church was almost entirely rebuilt in 1882-84. The school, schoolhouse, post office and reading room have all been converted into private dwellings in recent years, but the square crenellated tower of the picturesque St. Anne's church still rises on the western edge of the village, and the southern doorway which stands in the shade of a churchyard yew shows evidence of early Norman work which survived the late Victorian rebuilding.
Duke's Barn is another noteable building which stands along a lane leading from the tiny village green. Built under one large roof in 1791, the Barn has been completely restored and transformed into a residential study centre owned by the Derby-based Royal School for the Deaf, but available for use by any educational group.
Modern Beeley, with a population of under 500 remains much as it was two centuries ago, save for the addition of the houses at the bottom of Chesterfield Road, which sweeps up past the Devonshire Arms - a 17th century hostelry, recently refurbished and with a magnificent restaurant -these are the only residents to encounter any through traffic.
At the junction directly opposite the pub stand three cottages built in a triangular pattern with very unusual Dutch-gabled roofs, the style is reminiscent of Paxton who designed the nearby estate - village of Edensor. For the rest, this small agricultural community once farmed by a thane named Godric, sleeps timelessly on in the bossom of it's peaceful country setting, oblivious to the traffic that passes noiselessly to and from Chatsworth on the nearby B6012.
This article has been brought to you by our resident peak district writer Tom Bates
|
|
|
| Latest News |
|---|
|
30th July
4 star rated Sheldon Barn is offering a week from Friday 13th August, including a fully cooked breakfast, delivered to your door. For more information give us a call on 01629 813067/07976 965092... |
|
30th July
Eastview Cottage, Eyam Sleeps 5, Available 4 nights commencing Monday throughout August ; 2nd / 9th / 16th /and 23rd. Two people £280 parties of 4 and 5 £350. Contact Andrew on 07900 192838 or ... |
|
30th July
When the sun is shining, the sights, sounds and smells of outdoor dining on a balmy English summer evening are pretty hard to beat. For a limited time, multi award-winning East Lodge hotel and restaur... |
|
27th July
Set in stunning countryside, Meadow Suite offers a unique bed and breakfast experience for two people. The suite has four ground floor rooms with an added feature of having a well equipped kitchen. Y... |
|
26th July
Get up close to a range of owls, falcons, hawks as well as the awesome Golden Eagle, Cuddles. Flying displays will take place at 1pm and again at 3pm enabling visitors to see these beautiful birds in ... |
|
26th July
Gingerbread Cottage, Bakewell - late availability for w/c 7 August and 14 August. Delightful 4* cottage in the heart of Bakewell, sleeps 4 people. £540 per week. Short breaks available. ... |
|
26th July
Peaceful edge of village location, sleeps 5, ideal base for exploring the Peak District. Reduced rates throughout September for smaller groups: 4 people - 10% discount; 3 people - 15% discount; 2 peop... |
|
23rd July
See one of our fantastic reviews from a group of 20 University friends who rented all 3 properties for exclusive use. [li... |
|
22nd July
Toad Cottage 17th Century Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom cottage lots of character is available from 3.00pm on Tuesday 17th August until 10.00am on Friday 20th August now only £230.00 was £295.00. If you a... |
|
22nd July
The Lodge @ Dale End House - Sleeps 2, is now unexpectedly available from Friday 23rd until Tuesday 27th July 2010. Found on a quiet lane between Elton and Youlgreave, the Lodge enjoys unspoilt count... |
|
20th July
Located in the beautiful village of Winster where you can discover little lanes and alleyways on leisurely walks. The accommodation provides two double rooms with kingsize beds and one twin bedded ro... |
|
20th July
FRI 30TH JULY - FRI 6TH AUGUST 20% OFF!! 3 nights (Fri - Mon) 4 nights (Mon - Fri) or go wild and stay for the 7 nights!! Luxurious accommodation for 2 in quiet village location 10 mins drive fro... |
|
20th July
Albertine Barn (sleeps 8)- Fri. 20th August 2010 - 7 nights £1060 Fri. 27th August 2010 - 7 nights £1060 Maigold Cottage (sleeps 4) - Fri. 27th August 2010 - 7 nights £496 [link=http://www.pe... |
|
20th July
It's lights, camera and action as multi award-winning Peak District hotel and restaurant East Lodge launches its all new Exclusively Yours wedding DVD. ... |
|
15th July
AVAILABILITY Fri 23rd JULY (first week school holidays) - NOW £600. HOLIDAY COTTAGE IN CENTRE OF BAKEWELL. Beautifully furnished cottage for up to 6 adults right in the centre of Bakewell with court... |
|
15th July
A small taste of heaven in the popular village of Castleton is opening for business on Saturday. The Food Angel Coffee Shop offers freshly made sandwiches, fresh paninis, jacket potatoes, Salad boxes... |
|
15th July
Fed up of going away with the family and going to bed with the children. Brand new family Suite comprising of separate double and bunk bed room with private bathroom. All self contained. Call for fu... |
|
14th July
A wonderfully romantic cottage for two (ETB 5 star grading). Fantastic location (Manifold Valley and Dovedale), stunning views and great walking straight from the door! 25% late availability dis... |
|
13th July
Matchcroft Well equipped barn conversion in an ideal location for the Hope Valley ; Friday and Saturday 2 people £140 , 4 people £200. Eastview , Eyam sleeps 5 , 2 people £140, 4 people £200. See ww... |
|
13th July
Shamble Cottage, Ashford in the Water. Four star rated, Grade 2 listed ex stocking mill reduced 33% for 2 people staying 7 days to £400. If required for 4 people cost is £450. Contact Andrew on 07900 ... |
|
Newsletter |
Please enter your email address below to receive our newsletter emails
|
|
|
|
