Hidden Gems of Derbyshire: Discover the Soul of the Peaks and Beyond

Uncovering the Secret Charms of Derbyshire's Quiet Corners

Image: Creswell Crags

Tucked in the heart of England, Derbyshire might be best known for the rugged beauty of the Peak District, but there’s far more to this historic county than postcard-perfect hills. Beyond the well-trodden trails and bustling market towns lies a constellation of hidden gems—quiet villages, forgotten trails, curious landmarks, and surreal natural wonders that whisper stories of ancient England. If you think you’ve seen all Derbyshire has to offer, think again. Here’s your invitation to dig deeper and explore the county like never before.

The Lost Village of Derwent: Beneath the Water

Let’s start with a ghost story—a real one. Deep beneath the mirrored surface of Ladybower Reservoir lies the submerged village of Derwent. In the 1940s, this entire community was flooded to make way for the reservoir, and while only the haunting tower of the old church remains visible when water levels drop, the presence of the lost village still lingers. Walk the perimeter on a misty morning and you might catch a glimpse of old stone walls beneath the surface. It’s eerie, moving, and unmistakably Derbyshire.

Alport Castles: The Forgotten Fortresses

Hiding in plain sight within the Peak District National Park, Alport Castles isn’t a man-made fortress—it’s nature’s own. Often overlooked in favor of Mam Tor or Kinder Scout, these colossal rock formations are actually the remains of the largest landslip in the UK. From the top, you’re treated to sweeping views that feel like something out of a fantasy film. And best of all? You’ll rarely find a crowd here. Just pack a flask, lace up your boots, and take the scenic trail from Fairholmes.

Eyam: The Plague Village That Chose Isolation

Eyam is one of Derbyshire’s most compelling hidden stories. When the Black Death arrived here in 1665, villagers made the astonishing decision to quarantine themselves to prevent the disease from spreading. Many died, but their bravery likely saved thousands. Today, Eyam is a picturesque village that wears its history with quiet pride. You can visit the boundary stones where food and medicine were exchanged, and walk the trails that trace the sacrifices of a village united by courage.

Lud's Church: A Mossy Chasm of Myth

There’s something otherworldly about Lud’s Church, a deep, moss-covered chasm hidden in the Staffordshire edge of the Peak District. Technically outside Derbyshire’s strict boundaries, but spiritually entwined with its identity, Lud’s Church has long been associated with folklore and mystery. Believed by some to be the inspiration for the "Green Chapel" in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the cleft is damp, cool, and draped in a lush green that feels primeval. You don’t stumble into Lud’s Church—you descend into it. And once you do, the outside world fades away.

Stanton Moor: Where Druids Once Danced

Just above the sleepy village of Birchover lies Stanton Moor, a highland littered with prehistoric secrets. This windswept plateau is home to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, believed to be over 4,000 years old. Legend has it the stones are nine women turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath—a fittingly eerie origin for a site that seems suspended in time. The moor itself is crisscrossed with trails that lead you past burial mounds, standing stones, and panoramic views.

The Hermit’s Cave of Cratcliffe Tor

Just south of Stanton Moor, a steep scramble leads to Cratcliffe Tor, where a tiny hermit’s cave is carved into the limestone cliff. Inside, a stone-carved crucifix hints at its medieval origins, likely used by pilgrims on their way to nearby holy sites. It’s a peaceful, solitary spot—the kind of place that invites you to sit in silence and just breathe. There's something humbling about standing in the same space where someone centuries ago sought refuge and contemplation.

Lumsdale Valley: Derbyshire’s Industrial Atlantis

Lumsdale is a place that doesn’t quite make sense—and that’s part of its magic. Just outside Matlock, this wooded gorge is home to the atmospheric ruins of 18th and 19th-century mills, now overrun by moss, vines, and the roar of cascading waterfalls. The combination of industrial decay and natural beauty makes Lumsdale Valley feel like a scene lifted from a fantasy novel. Wander the trail from the top down and you’ll feel like you’re walking through history itself, each ruin a chapter in the story of early industry.

Swarkestone Bridge: Echoes of a Tudor Tragedy

At first glance, Swarkestone Bridge seems like just another picturesque stone crossing. But look closer and you’ll uncover centuries of history etched into every parapet. Stretching over a mile long, it’s the longest stone bridge in England still in use. More than a mere curiosity, it played a key role in the 1745 Jacobite uprising, and is steeped in legends—including the tale of two sisters who financed its construction after their fiancés drowned trying to cross the flooded river. The view from the middle is timeless: open sky, shimmering water, and the quiet hum of history.

Tissington Village: The Quintessential English Secret

While tourists crowd Bakewell and Ashbourne, Tissington quietly continues being one of the most charming villages in the country. Picture-perfect limestone cottages, a duck pond, a centuries-old church, and an estate that still belongs to the FitzHerbert family. But what truly sets Tissington apart is its tradition of well dressing—an annual celebration in which locals decorate wells with intricate mosaics made from flower petals, seeds, and natural materials. It's an ancient ritual that feels both quaint and deeply meaningful.

Creswell Crags: England’s Oldest Art Gallery

Yes, we said art gallery. Creswell Crags, straddling the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border, houses the oldest known cave art in Britain—dating back over 13,000 years. The caves themselves are atmospheric, carved by ice and water, and rich with archaeological finds. You can walk the gorge, peer into the prehistoric shelters, and contemplate what it must have meant to live and create art in the shadows of these ancient cliffs.

A Final Word: Hidden Gems Are a State of Mind

Derbyshire’s hidden gems aren’t hidden because they’re hard to find—they’re hidden because most people rush past them. They’re the quiet spaces between the guidebook highlights, the kind of places that reward curiosity and stillness. Whether it’s the echo of a hermit’s prayer at Cratcliffe Tor, the green stillness of Lud’s Church, or the spectral village beneath Ladybower’s waters, each site offers more than just a view. It offers a story, an atmosphere, a sense of timelessness that feels increasingly rare.

So next time you find yourself in Derbyshire, take the side road. Skip the obvious. Get lost on purpose. You just might find the soul of the county in its quietest corners.