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Hartington
Referred to as `The Gateway to Dovedale` Hartington is a picturesque villages that lies to the west of the A515 Ashbourne to Buxton road and nestles sedately in the heart of magnificent limestone scenery on the Derbyshire side of the River Dove, which marks the border with neighbouring Staffordshire. The village boasts a wealth of attractions to the visitor and is famous for its Stilton cheese; indeed it held a Royal Warrant during the reign of George V for supplying the King's Stilton! Cheese making, farming, and the tourist industry drive the village's economy, and this is evidenced by an array of retail establishments which surround the former market square, village green, and duck - pond in the centre of the village.
Hartington, along with Derby & Chesterfield, was one of the the first in the County to be granted a Market Charter when in 1203 William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby & Lord of the Manor of Hartington was granted a Royal Charter to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. The annual fair was held between 29th August and 2nd September, and continued, along with the market for almost 700 years until sadly both declined around the turn of the twentieth century.
The architecture which surrounds the village centre is an indigenous mixture of large, late 18th and early 19th century buildings blended with the smaller cottages of an earlier and more rustic period, achieving a pleasant balance & harmony. One structure stands out in the village from the limestone and gritstone buildings is the 13th century. Parish church of St.Giles which commands the village from atop a small hill to the north east, where it's imposing battlemented square tower of red ashlar sandstone stands proudly looking down over the rooftops.
Hartington is much changed over the years and today tourism is the main source of income. The village is well worth a visit with it's collection of cafes, tea-rooms, gift & craft shops; it's famous cheeses and it's pottery. Set in the heart of beautiful limestone walking country, this quaint and ever popular village provides a veritable oasis of rest and refreshment for the thousands who come each year to walk the Tissington Trail and to explore the wonderful dales of the Dove.
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