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Hathersage
Hathersage is overlooked by the impressive ringed cliffs of Stanage and Millstone edges and the ancient iron-age hill fort of Carl Wark, and the distictive Higger Tor can be seen through a break in the cliffs, standing on Burbage Moor. The village is built largely from blocks of the yellow-brown local Millstone Grit and sits at the foot of a side-valley at one side of the wide Hope Valley. One of the nicest examples of this construction is the George Hotel in the centre of the village. Robin Hood's cave overlooks the village from its position in the face of Stanage Edge, with breathtaking views. The regoin is fantastic for both Peak District Walking, Cycling and Climbing and draws visitors from miles around.
Below the church hill is the Scotsman's Pack and old Packhorse inn. Hathersage, like many Peak District villages, lay on the old packhorse trail between Manchester and Sheffield and pack trains climbed out of the valley either up The Dale past the Scotsman's pack, or up past Gatehous to Stanage Pole following the route of the old Roman Road. In the 18th century, the turnpike road (now tha A625) was constructed, replacing the packhorse trade. Much of the early prosperity of the village came from this trade route as it was the last stop before the long trek over the moors to reach Sheffield.
Hathersage was well known for the production of millstones, and a number of them, long since abandoned, can be found amongst the surrounding hills. The railway came to Hathersage in 1894 when the Midland opened the Manchester to Sheffield line through the Hope Valley, and new bridges and a station was built some distance to the south. In the intervening years of the twentieth century both housing and modern industry have eaten up the space between the station and the old village.
Modern Hathersage is a socially active thriving community with facilities normally found in small provincial towns; banks, a post office, craft shops and galleries, cafes and restaurants, good schools and shops, and no discernible blots on the landscape. It has facilities for all sports, and hockey, soccer, and cricket teams all represent the village in local leagues. There is excellent rock climbing to be had up on Stanage Edge and some spectacular walking in the hills surrounding the village. Or like countless feet have done down the centuries, make the pilgrimage down School Lane and up the steep Church Bank to the peaceful and romantic churchyard setting, and there beside Little John's grave, look around in wonder at the surrounding Derbyshire countryside, and give thanks for all that you see. Hathersage boasts a superb outdoor swimming pool, open to the public during the summer months, and there are several good hostelries including the sixteenth century George Hotel with its Bronte connections, the cosy Hathersage Inn, with the inevitable Little John Inn a short distance away.
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