6 Facts about High Peak History| Davis Blank Furniss Solicitors
Dam at Derwent Reservoir

As well as our office on Deansgate in Manchester City Centre, we’re proud to have an office in the lovely town of Glossop, based on the edge of the beautiful High Peak.

The High Peak is located within the north of the Peak District National Park, and is made up of towns and villages such as Glossop, Buxton, and Castleton, spaced between large scenic areas of reservoirs, hills and countryside.

A perfect place for enjoying a weekend walk, the High Peak has many must-see beauty spots, as well as enthralling hiking trails and climbs.

It’s also a place of great history, with events in the area dating back hundreds, if not thousands of years. Here are a few key pieces of interesting High Peak history.

Norman Conquest

In the 11th century, Britain was invaded and occupied by an army of Norman, Breton, Flemish and French soldiers, with the invasion spearheaded by William the Conqueror, who became king in 1066.

While the most commonly remembered part of the Norman Conquest is the Battle of Hastings, there was plenty of activity further north during these times, including within the area now known as the High Peak.

One lasting monument of these times can be found looming over the picturesque High Peak village of Castleton. Peveril Castle was named after its owner, a Norman knight called William Peverel.

Peveril Castle in Castleton, High Peak

Several decades after being built, the castle was seized into royal possession, and was visited by King Henry II on three occasions between 1157 and 1164.

Many centuries later and the castle still stands. Although now a ruin, it’s still in a well-preserved condition, and is under the care of English Heritage. Open to visitors, it’s well worth the walk up to take in some of the history when you’re in the area.

Romans in Buxton

Towards the bottom of the High Peak is the lovely town of Buxton, a place with plenty to see and do.

A settlement in the area of Buxton dates back to the Stone Age, approximately 6000 years ago, but it was during the heights of the Roman Empire that the town began to take shape.

Buxton was built as a Roman spa named Aquae Arnemetiae, making use of the natural geothermal spa in the settlement. Many many key artefacts have been found in the area that give us a clearer view of history; In the 18th century, a stone bath was uncovered, while smaller items such as coins have also been discovered throughout the years.

Spring well in Buxton

Industrial Revolution

The growth of towns and villages during the industrial revolution was prevalent in the High Peak, with lots of activity dating back to the late 18th century.

In the High Peak village of Edale, large-scale industry can be traced back to 1795, when a cotton mill was built by Nicholas Cresswell, James Harrison, Robert Blackwell, and Joseph Fletcher. Workers for the mill moved to the village from larger towns, living in a nearby hall. The mill produced cotton for around 145 years, eventually ceasing work in 1940.

The town of Whaley Bridge is another than can credit industry for its large growth, with the town moving from coal mining to cotton spinning seemingly being responsible for the trebling of the population.

The village of Hadfield credits the Sidebottom family for its growth during this time, with three generations developing spinning and weaving mills, along with a railway to transport their goods.

Dam Busters

In 1943, World War II was in full force, and the British forces launched a crucial attack on Germany that involved 19 Lancaster bombers, and the dams of the Ruhr and Eder valleys.

A “bouncing bomb” was developed that would be launched from the British bombers, with the aim being the destroy dams that were protecting settlements from flooding. The attack was a success, with two dams being breached, and another damaged causing the large-scale flooding of villages in the Ruhr and Eder valleys. Two power stations were destroyed, as were factories and mines.

Dam at Derwent Reservoir

So, where does the High Peak come in? Well, the Upper Derwent Valley, home to Ladybower, Derwent, and Howden reservoirs, was initially used as a test area before the aid. However, it was the release of the 1955 film “The Dam Busters” that made the area become truly synonymous with the events. The film made use of the local dams and reservoirs to double up as the German equivalents on-screen.

In fact, Derwent Reservoir became one of the focal points of the 65th anniversary of the raid in 2008, with a flypast of a Lancaster Bomber, Spitfire, and Hurricane taking place at the event.

Kinder Scout Mass Trespass

In the early 1900s, those who lived in towns and villages began to see the benefits of making use of open countryside land for outdoor exercise.

This is something that was more difficult to do than it is in the 21st century however, thanks to laws stopping people from trespassing on the land.

View from Kinder Scout in the High Peak

In protest of this issue, three groups of walkers decided to make a push for access to the open land, by organising a mass trespass. On 24th April 1932, the three groups approached Kinder Scout from different directions, with an estimated 400 walkers taking part. Scuffles with gamekeepers ensued, leading to five of the trespassers facing arrest.

Although there was no instant success as a result of this trespass, it is widely credited as being one of the things that led to the introduction of National Parks legislation 17 years later.

The First National Park

National parks are something we now take for granted, with 14 of them now operating within the UK, allowing us to freely visit vast natural spaces.

In 1949, the government passed the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, legislation that set the ball rolling on the designation of national parks.

Two years later, the first national park was officially designated, this being the Peak District, swiftly followed by the Lake District, Snowdonia, and Dartmoor.

Peak District National Park entrance

Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say...

View All

Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.

Ben Armitage

“Very approachable, practical solutions to problems, but most of all very responsive which I personally think is very important because if you need help, you need it quickly, or at least to know someone is looking at it for you”.

Joanne Rowe, Finance Director, Greater Manchester Chamber

“Always able to contact, very approachable, friendly and professional”

Nives Feely, JAM Recruitment

“I believe I have been able to establish a professional working relationship with everyone I have come into contact. Importantly, I sense the relationships which have been established give me the confidence that I can make contact with Davis Blank Furniss at any time and on any matter. I would also like to express my thanks to the very impressive “gatekeepers” who work in reception, not only for making me very welcome, but also for their professionalism”

Bill Pryke, CEO, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

“Thank you for your efficient and friendly help throughout this process. We have had it easy but your approach has been part of that”.

Robert Amsbury (Conveyancing Client)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”

Valerie Fisher (Probate Client)

“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”

Peter Fernandez, Corporate Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”

Anon (Personal Injury client)

“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.

Anon (Family client)
5 star service

Our Manchester office is rated 5 stars on Google