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Medieval VillagesWhile today's Peak District villages rarely have buildings other than their churches that are earlier than the 17th century, the initial medieval pattern of layout is still usually very evident. This is because, while buildings have always been periodically replaced, this has normally taken place within the same ownership plot. For examples of typical White Peak villages, explore the links below: In the central limestone plateau, most villages are found on the eastern lower areas, built on the wide, cultivable, flatter lands above the gorges of the rivers Wye, Lathkill and Bradford. On the south side of the Wye, Taddington is the largest village, and there are others at Sheldon, Priestcliffe, Blackwell and Chelmorton. Further south in the limestone plateau, the large village of Monyash, once a medieval market centre, lies at the centre of a broad undulating landscape at the head of Lathkill Dale.
The smaller settlement of Flagg occupies the upper slopes of this basin. Over Haddon lies on the shelves downriver and there were once small medieval villages at One Ash and Conksbury that have now all but disappeared. Youlgreave is the main village above the Bradford, with the smaller Middleton and now lost village of Smerrill further upriver.
Further west in the limestone plateau, on the higher limestone spine, large settlements are few and far between. Small villages include Earl Sterndale, Heathcote and Biggin, and there were once further examples at Hurdlow Town, High Needham, Pilsbury and Cold Eaton that have dwindled over time. In contrast, in the sheltered upper Dove Valley there is the larger Medieval market centre of Hartington, which would have replaced Pilsbury Castle as the focal point in this area.
For more information on traditional Peak District building styles click here. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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