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Over Haddon
Over Haddon can be found just over 2 miles south-west of Bakewell, nestling on a ridge high above Lathkill Dale which stretches like a deep dark chasm toward Monyash in the west whilst opening out into a lush green dale with a succession of weirs as the river flows downstream towards Alport. The river Lathkill is a ‘disappearing river’ in that long stretches dry out in summer months or following dry spells of weather, the depleted water flow following an underground route before reappearing from a series of swallet holes just downstream of the lodge. Below Over Haddon, the river is swelled by a series of eleven weirs, with one particularly deep section being known as The Blue Waters due to its fabulous colour. One opinion is that the colour comes from the purity and depth of water, whilst another theory being that it is due to the high content of minerals present after having flowed through the limestone.
The rich pastureland around Over Haddon has been farmed since Neolithic times. In the Middle Ages several Granges were established in the locality where monks farmed huge flocks of sheep, mainly for their valuable wool. From the village a narrow lane leads you to a fishing lodge and the remains of an old corn mill. Records show that the present mill building dates from at least 1529 and was still working until the early 19th century. The region offers superb Peak District Fishing and is popular throughout the year. To the side of the river is also a trout breeding pool. About ¾-mile downstream from Over Haddon is the medieval Conksbury Bridge which appears at first sight to be a long solid wall until you observe the tiny low-down arches. This carried the Newhaven to Grindleford turnpike and was also used as a sheepwash bridge until after World War II. The settlement of Conksbury on the banks to the south was abandoned centuries ago. It is a popular stopping point for weekend walkers in the Lathkill valley, though this has the disadvantage that to get to the village you must climb a very steep hill out of Lathkill Dale. The village has a pub called The Lathkill.
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