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Mappleton



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The small, attractive conservation village of Mappleton (or Mapleton as it is sometimes spelt) lies on the River Dove, which divides Derbyshire from Staffordshire. The village is situated about two miles north west of the town of Ashbourne on the southern edge of the Peak District National Park.

Mappleton lies amid stunning scenery near to Thorpe Cloud, the famous stepping stones at Dovedale are around a mile upstream. The area offers some fine walks, the Tissington Trail, to the east of the village, follows the tracks of the former London and North Western Railway’s branch line from Ashbourne to Buxton.

The village is of ancient, Saxon origin, and is referred to in the Domesday Book of 1086

Okeover Hall is set in an extensive deer park. At the main entrance is a fine wrought iron balustrade with magnificent entrance gates, which were made by Robert Bakewell who also made the sanctuary gate at Derby Cathedral. The hall dates to around 1720. The modern wing was designed by Marshall Sisson, after years of neglect, the hall was restored in the twentieth century.

Mappleton ChurchThe small village church of St. Mary’s (pictured right) is of unusual design and has a pillared porch topped by a dome. The building dates from the eighteenth century, and was designed by James Gibbs, a former pupil of the famous Sir Christopher Wren. The communion plate and oak box, gifts of Thomas Austin, are dated 1752. A church has occupied the site since the reign of King Edward I in the late thirteenth century. The church and nearby Okeover Hall are the only stone buildings in the village, the rest being brick.

The neo-Elizabethan style Callow Hall, dates to 1852, is set in 44 acres of gardens and woodland and overlooks Bently Brook, it boasts a tower designed by Stevens, today it serves as a luxury hotel. The village has some interesting almshouses dated 1727 and a one-arch stone-bridge which spans the River Dove along the road to Okeover Hall.

Directions

Take the A515 out of Ashbourne heading towards Buxton, turn left at the top of the hill just outside Ashbourne. Continue along this road for about 2 miles.

Nearby places of interest

The Burrows Garden is situated 5 miles to the south east of Ashbourne. Set in beautiful countryside, the superb gardens cover 5 acres.

Dovedale, a dramatic limestone ravine, with its impressive rock outcrops and tranquil woodlands is arguably the prettiest of the dales in the Peak District National Park and is owned by the National Trust.

The Manifold Valley, which runs almost parallel with Dovedale, has been described as the 'Switzerland of Staffordshire' and offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Peak District National Park.

Biddulph Grange, one of Britain's most exciting and unusual gardens, was created by the horticulturalist James Bateman (1811–1897), for his large collection of plants from around the world.

Haddon Hall near Bakewell, is an architectural gem. Dating back to the eleventh century, the hall has been described as "the most complete and most interesting house of [its] period", it is the finest example of a medieval manor house currently in existence in England.

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