Eckington is situated about 7 miles north of Chesterfield. Dating back to Saxon times, Eckington was an important agricultural centre and market town which later became surrounded by coal mines that brought wealth and employment to the village. The pits have now closed with large areas being redeveloped for light industrial and residential use.
Eckington is said to be named after the town belonging to Ecca. A walk around Eckington will take you past the Market Square where weekly markets are held every Friday or Coldwell’s Cottage which is said to be the last thatched cottage in the district.
Eckington parish church which dates back to 1100 is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul and is of exceptional architectural interest. Not only does it have an impressive tower but also a very early 13th century west doorway. Eckington Rectory is an attractive late Georgian house with two broad pedimented angle bays with Venetian windows. At the back of the church near to the River Moss is the Priest’s Well.
Eckington lies close to the boundary with South Yorkshire and is easily accessible from Junction 30 of the M1. It is only a 20-minute drive from Eckington to Sheffield, Chesterfield or Worksop, whilst the Sheffield Supertram is only a 10 minute drive offering the possibility to park and ride into the metropolis.
Eckington contains restaurants, a swimming pool and golf courses, whilst a 15-minute drive will take you to the Rother Valley Country Park which provides easy walking around the lakes and water sport facilities. Across the valley at Ridgeway is a Craft Centre and Tessa Bramley’s Old Vicarage Restaurant.
Ince Piece Wood which lies a short distance from Eckington contains the strangely named track known as Lady Ida’s Drive, whilst to the east of Eckington is the Trans Pennine Trail which runs north/south and follows the Chesterfield Canal.
If you enjoy visiting places of interest and stately homes, then Eckington is the perfect answer to make use of your National Trust or English Heritage membership as you will not be far from Hardwick Hall, Hardwick Old Hall and Bolsover Castle. Renishaw Hall is closer though and has fabulous gardens to walk around.
A trip over the moors to the west of Eckington will lead you into the Peak District National Park which is renowned for its beauty and diversity. But if you crave for out of town retail therapy, then you may wish to visit the East Midland Designer Outlet at Junction 28 or Dobbies Garden World, Chesterfield, both of which are only a short drive from Eckington