Baslow
OS Grid ref:- SK149665
The Peak District village of Baslow is situated on the River Derwent on the northern edge of the Chatsworth estate.
The bridge which spans the river in the village dates to 1603, alongside which stands a seventeenth century toll house. The only bridge across the Derwent never to be destroyed by floods,it replaced an earlier wooden bridge that marked the place where an ancient track and early trade route had forded the river.
The oldest part of the village church of St Anne's, the north aisle, dates from about 1200. The tower was constructed in the thirteenth century. The church boasts a beautifully carved altar table, the work of Tideswell's renowned wood-craftsman Advent Hunstone. An Anglo-Saxon coffin lid, carved with two keys, is displayed in the porch entrance. The Victoria clock on the East face of the tower, whose face displays letters spelling “Victoria 1887”, commemorates the monarch's Diamond Jubilee year.
In the churchyard stands a sundial atop the shaft, base and steps of a cross. This may have acted as a market cross in the seventeenth century. A second cross which was moved from Bubnell, may historically have been known as the 'Butter Cross'.
Baslow Hall, (pictured above left) although built in the style of a typical seventeenth century Derbyshire manor house, dates only from 1906 and was built for Rev. Jeremiah Stockdale, who was vicar of Baslow for 48 years. The house was once occupied by the famous electrical engineer and inventor Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti and now serves as a hotel and restaurant.
The Rutland Arms inn is a reminder that the Duke of Rutland once owned much land in the village. Opposite stands the Old Forge of 1696, tools of the blacksmith's trade can be seen nearby.
To the north of the village, Baslow Edge was once quarried for gritstone and features the Eagle Stone, an isolated 6 metre high block of gritstone. The 10 feet high gritstone cross known as `Wellington's Monument' on Baslow Edge (pictured above right) high was erected in 1866 to celebrate the battle of Waterloo in 1815. Walking trails lead up from Baslow to the monument.There are excellent views over the Chatsworth estate and the Derwent Valley from the edge.
A walk to Baslow Edge from Baslow village
Distance -4.5 miles
Ascent- 650 feet
*Commencing at the car park in Baslow, cross the main road to the Crofters Restaurant. Continue up the side road next to the restaurant to reach a T-junction at which point turn right along Bar Road.
When the road becomes a track, continue along it uphill to reach Wellington's monument. From the monument, take the left track uphill ewhich leads tothe Eagle Stone.
*Continue along this track to reach a road. Turn left along the road and proceed downhill. After around 70 metres take the footpath on the left marked by a finger post. Cross a stile and onto the footpath.
*Cross a further stile, hidden behind a large tree, cross the field, to pass over a further stile and take the left hand path. On reaching a gate, go through it as the path follows a wall. Continue along the track to reach a the stile in the corner of the field.
*At a further stile the footpath meets the track taken on the uphill route to the monument. Turn right and proceed down hill, retracing your steps to return to the car park in Baslow.
Nearby places of interest
Chatsworth House known as "The Palace of the Peak" is the country seat of the Duke of Devonshire and is situated on the banks of the River Derwent, 3.5 miles to the northeast of Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District National Park.
The Upper Derwent Valley contains some of the most stunning scenery in the Peak District National Park.