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Things to do in Great Longstone, Derbyshire

Great Longstone is a small village in the Peak District National Park.

St Giles Church © Michael Watson
St Giles Church © Michael Watson

It is a very old settlement and was mentioned in the Domesday book in 1086 as Langesdune.

The Village, nestling under the protection of Longstone Edge, was for generations a farming and lead mining community.

Village War Memorial © Michael Watson
Village War Memorial © Michael Watson

Wedgewood and the Railway

Towards the end of the 18th and into the 19th century chert was being extracted from Chert Pit Lane and being used by Josiah Wedgwood in his Queen's ware pottery.

In the 1860s the railway was built through Bakewell, Great Longstone and onto Buxton.

Village Green © Michael Watson
Village Green © Michael Watson

Tunnels and Viaducts had to be built, the best known was Monsal viaduct.

During the railway building in 1861 there were 7 pubs and alehouses in the village.

Path and Stile near Great Longstone © Michael Watson
Path and Stile near Great Longstone © Michael Watson

The railway closed in the 1960's and the old track is now used for hiking and cycling and is called the Monsal trail.

13th Century Church

The Church was built in the 13th century but its 15th century carved oak roof is its finest feature.

 

A view of Great Longstone © Michael Watson
A view of Great Longstone © Michael Watson

The church was sympathetically restored in 1872.

Today there are about 730 inhabitants in Great Longstone, with 2 pubs and a shop.

 

A view of the Manor House from the gate © Michael Watson
Manor House from the gate © Michael Watson

Most people work away from the village but farming still takes place and a few small workshops operate in the village.

Bed and breakfast and holiday cottages cater for visitors and the two pubs for walkers and casual visitors.

The village is well placed for visits to Chatsworth House 3 miles Haddon Hall 4 miles and Bakewell.

A view of Great Longstone Village Green © Michael Watson
Village Green © Michael Watson

 

But most visitors are walkers who love to walk in the Peak District.

Description by Michael Watson

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