 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Picnic Site |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Castleton - A Castle, Cliffs and Caverns |
|
|
| Castleton is a delightful village at the head of the Vale of Hope. This small village is the home of the world famous Blue John, a semi-precious mineral. This had been mined since Roman times and is now made into jewellery for tourists |
|
|
| The village is surrounded on three sides by steep hills, one of which is Mam Tor also known as Shivering Mountain. On the summit of this are the remains of a Celtic hill fort, the Celts were the first people to settle in the area. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Today the village is a cluster of stone houses, cottages and inns, with a church all centred around the village square. The church dedicated to St Edmund was originally |
|
|
|
|
|
| constructed during the late 12th and early 13th centuries and has a fine Norman archway between the chancel and the nave. The tower, which has diagonal buttresses, battlements and eight pinnacles, was added in the 15th century. The church was restored in 1837 and retains some oak box pews which still bear the names of the occupants from the 17th and 18th centuries on the doors. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The ruins of Peveril Castle crown the summit of a hill to the south of the village, and it is this that gives Castleton its name. Peveril Castle was founded by William Peveril, an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror .The present castle or keep was erected towards the end of the 12th century. Prior to the invention of gunpowder the castle was impregnable due to its position. Although only a ruin now it is a fine medieval landmark in the Peak District. |
|
|
|
|
| Around Castleton are four caverns which tourists can visit. Blue John, Treak cliff, Peak and Speedwell. All have stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Speedwell cavern is 600 feet below ground and is visited in a boat. Due to the nature of the caverns they would be very troublesome for people with mobility difficulties to visit. |
|
|
 |
|
Towards the end of May a carnival is held, the main event of which is Garland Day when large garlands of flowers are carried through the village by the Garland King and Queen. At sunset the Kings garland is hoisted up to the top of the church tower and remains there until it is withered. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are 3 car parks in and around Castleton. In Castleton there is a large Pay and Display car park free to orange/ blue badge holders. It has 2 spaces reserved for disabled users and these are close to the toilets. There are two toilets suitable for disabled users and require a RADAR key.
The other two are close to Mam Tor one of which has refreshment facilities, with bays reserved for disabled users, two near the refreshments and two higher up with views. This car park is free to orange/blue badge holders. The other car park is on the closed Mam Tor Road. Neither of these has toilets. There is also a car park in the foothills of Mam Tor accessed by travelling West up Winnats Pass to reach the top section of the old Mam Tor road. Take the road towards the Blue John Cavern and follow it to a turning circle which has a parking area, for disabled people, with views along the Hope Valley. Don't attempt to access this location from the Castleton end of the old Mam Tor road. |
|
|
|
See more photos of Castleton |
|
| Information centre Tel: 01433 620679 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Find Castleton on a map |
|
|
| Access Information |
|
|
|
Go to Peak District Map Page |
|
|
|
Go to Peak District Gazeteer Page |
|
