About Derbyshire

Derbyshire (pronounced "dar-bee-sher") is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains.

History The area that is now Derbyshire was first occupied between the Stone Age. Burial mounds of Neolithic settlers are situated throughout the county. These chambered tombs were designed for collective burial. There are tombs in Mining Low, and Five Wells, which date back to between 2000 and 2500 BCE. Three miles west of Youlgreave lies the Neolithic henge monument of Arbor Low, This can be dated back to 2500 BCE.
It is not until the Bronze Age that real signs of agriculture and settlement are found in the county. In the moors of the Peak District signs of clearance, arable fields and hut circles were discovered after archaeological investigation.
During the Roman era the Roman invaders were attracted to Derbyshire because of the lead ore in the limestone hills of the area. They settled throughout the county with forts built near Brough in Hope Valley and near Glossop. Later they settled around Buxton, famed for its warm springs, and set up a fort near modern day Derby in an area now known as Little Chester.
There are many historic buildings in the area, including Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall, two of Britain's important stately homes.

Peak District National Park The Peak District is Britain's finest National Park.  A short break, or longer holiday, will allow you to explore some of England’s most spectacular scenery and in the towns, villages and hamlets - amongst the prettiest in the country - you will find a warm and genuine welcome wherever you go.

The Peak District also enjoys the most extensive public transport network of any national park giving you a unique chance to visit the countryside without having to worry about taking the car. Peak Connections publishes guides to visiting top attractions by bus or train.

Visit the Peak District National Park website for more details.