Nearby places
CASTLETON, Derbyshire
"CASTLETON is a parish and village, in the hundred of High
Peak. 164 miles from London, 27 S.E. from Manchester, 10
N.E. from Buxton, and 7 E. from Chapel-en-le-Frith. It is
situate at the bottom of the steep eminence, at whose feet
the 'Peak Cavern' discloses itself, and the summit of which
is occupied by an ancient castle that gives name to the
place, This castle was erected by William Peveril, natural
son of the Conqueror, and from its situation was called 'the
Castle of the Peak', or 'Peak Castle.'"
[There is further information for Castleton]
[Description from
Pigot and Co's Commercial Directory for Derbyshire, 1835]
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Early 20thC Map
Click to view larger area.
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- An account of
Peveril Castle, taken from
Old Halls, Manors and Families of Derbyshire, Volume I
1892 (The High Peak) by Joseph Tilley, transcribed/OCR'd by
Rosemary Lockie. Added 3 Mar 2008.
- There is a reproduction of Castleton township survey Map of 1819, and
(in contrast) an aerial view of modern Castleton on the
Peakland Heritage site -
use the 'Digging Deeper' menu, selecting the 'Community Closeups' option. The
Map and aerial view are included in More Pictures link at the bottom
of Castleton's page. Alternatively select 'Community Closeups' and 'The
Galleries' to reach the images directly.
- "Castleton should be given a wide berth on a Saturday or Sunday in
the summer months. On those days it overflows with the tripper, for whom it lays
itself out to provide, and the streets are apt to be uproarious until the last brakes
have gone singing down the vale. Its main thoroughfares are commonplace, but
the cottages on the higher level are picturesque and unspoilt. Castleton retains
one interesting local custom, for May 29th, or Oakapple Day, is still honoured in
a curious way. A great garland of wild flowers is made, shaped like a bell on a
frame, and is carried round the town by a man on horseback, who wears it upon
his head, covering his face. He plays Charles II; the part of the Queen who rides
beside him is taken by a youth, dressed in a lady's riding habit and veil. Twenty
girls dance the Morris dance before them as they ride through the town to the
accompaniment of "plenty of brass bands". One can conceive the din!
Then the garland is taken to the church and slung up by a pulley to the parapet
of the tower, where it is left to wither. It is accounted a great honour to bear the
garland, and the privilege has been exercised for the last twenty years."
[Firth, J B - Highways and Byways in Derbyshire, 1905.
Quoted in The Peak Advertiser, 19th May 2003; p.11]
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[Last updated 13 Apr 2008 - 10:20 by Rosemary Lockie]
