We’re blessed to be in Derbyshire and Derbyshire is blessed with countless exquisite villages that simply must be visited. Many have been around for hundreds of years with large parts of their traditional buildings still standing, offering a view back to a simpler time. Others have evolved steadily over the years to become the splendid villages they are today, offering a quaint countryside haven in the middle of the country.

Here at KLG Rutland, we’ve been a part of Derbyshire and the East Midlands for over half a century and we are passionate about the local area. As such, we have put together a list of some of our favourite villages to visit in the Peak District and wider Derbyshire area, encouraging our readers to get out and enjoy their beauty. So, in no particular order…

Top 10 Best Villages in Derbyshire

Rowsley

In the heart of the sublime Peak District you will find peaceful Rowsley, sitting at the point where the River Rye flows into the River Derwent. Thanks to mills created on the aforementioned rivers, Rowsley prospered and even became a favoured place for King Edward VII to stay when visiting nearby Chatsworth. In terms of listed buildings, you can view the Peacock Hotel, Rowsley Bridge and Caudwells Mill among others, while the antiquated South Rowsley station is part of Peak Rail.

Winster

One of the best villages in the Derbyshire Dales would have to be Winster, which boasts a whopping 68 listed buildings. Just a few hundred people are lucky enough to live in Winster, surrounded by beautiful countryside and in the middle of the former lead mining industry in the area. Be sure to check out the National Trust-owned Winster Market House and visit during June to experience the Winster Wakes annual carnival.

Eyam

Eyam is a gorgeous North Derbyshire village with a chequered past. Unfortunately, Eyam is best known as the so-called Plague Village having tried to contain the bubonic plague there through isolation from the outside in the 1600s. It’s this fascinating history which draws many visitors to Eyam each year, but the village also has a rich history of art, music and literature. There’s over 50 listed buildings to discover, including the Grade 1 listed churchyard cross.

Hathersage

Hathersage is a popular destination for walkers, climbers and ramblers, stopping off on their adventures in the surrounding Peak District. There’s evidence of prehistoric human civilisation in the area at nearby Stanage Edge, but Hathersage really developed during the Roman and Medieval periods, before the industrial revolution brought industry to the area. Today, visitors to Hathersage can expect charming scenery in and around the village, from picturesque valley walks to Grade 1 listed buildings like one of Hathersage’s three churches.

Castleton

It’s not hard to work out what you might find in Castleton, with Peveril Castle perched on a hill overlooking this charming village. A short hop from popular tourist spots like Mam Tor and the four local show caves, including the Blue John Cavern, Castleton boasts many pubs, inns, guest houses and even a youth hostel to satisfy demand to stay in the Hope Valley area. In terms of listed buildings, there are 25, meaning there’s much splendour to enjoy in the village, not just in the surrounding hills.

Ambergate

At the meeting of the River Amber and the River Derwent lies Ambergate, formerly known as Toadmore from the Derbyshire dialect phrasing of “t’owd moor” or “the old moor.” With a name like that, it’s no surprise there’s nearby marshes, bogs and floodplains, plus rambling hotspots like Shining Cliff woods, Thacker’s woods and Crich Chase. Construction of the Derwent Valley Railway line brought Ambergate station and industries like mining and wireworking helped the village prosper into what it is today.

Cromford

Cromford is a village intrinsically-linked to Richard Arkwright – a leading inventor during the 18th-century industrial revolution. Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill, Cromford Mill, in the village, which is now a centrepiece of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to Cromford Mill is a must if you’re in the area, while Willersley Castle and Masson Mill are also Arkwright properties worth a look. Unsurprisingly with its amazing past, there’s almost 100 listed buildings in total in Cromford.

Darley Dale

A large village or maybe a small town, Darley Dale is a short trip from nearby Matlock. St Helen’s Church is believed to have been built in Darley back in the 12th century and is the site of famous engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth’s grave, who has various buildings named after him in the village. Not to be confused with Darley Abbey in Derby, Darley Dale won the 2003 Britain in Bloom prize in the Large Village prize, demonstrating its floral beauty along with the many examples of architectural beauty.

Baslow

The peaceful village of Baslow is just a mile away from Chatsworth House in the Peak District, sitting on the banks of the River Derwent. One of the most striking features of the village aside from its St Anne’s Church is the Baslow Bridge – a Grade 1-listed building built in 1608 that includes a historic stone-gabled toll booth. Elsewhere in this idyllic village you’ll find a charming village green, hotels, pubs and restaurants, plus the Golden Gates that signify the entrance to Chatsworth Park.

Calver

Nestled in the Derwent Valley of Derbyshire is the small village of Calver, which offers a peaceful atmosphere and access to local outdoor activities. A notable institution in Calver is the Cliff College – a Christian theological college that teaches Biblical Theology. The village is also home to a history cotton mill built in 1778 originally and then rebuilt in 1804 after the River Derwent had destroyed large parts of the building. After the mill, there are eight other listed buildings worth ticking off your list, including Calver Bridge.

Hopefully this guide has given you a glimpse into the unique charm that Derbyshire and its villages have to offer. Many of these villages sit within the amazing Peak District National Park and offer a look back to the age of the Industrial Revolution and even as far back as the Romans.

For those living in Derbyshire considering a home improvement project, KLG Rutland may well be the company for you. We have a showroom in Derbyshire, located in Ilkeston, ready to show the good people of Derbyshire everything we have to offer. For more information, contact our friendly and local team.