Taddington: Hotels in the White Peak

Taddington lies on the central limestone plateau of the White Peak in the Peak District National Park. The village is halfway between Buxton and Bakewell, just off the A6. There are several ways to choose your destination: the landscape of Taddington Dale and Taddington Moor, the village’s linear layout, and its historic buildings and monuments. You can shape your stay around nature, the village itself or its history.

Landscape and walks

The landscape of Taddington Dale is shaped by different areas of hillside. Three small hay meadows lie along Waterlees Lane. Flower-rich grassland stretches across the upper slopes, while ash woodland grows in the lower areas near the A6. This makes it possible to trace the changes through the dale: open, flower-rich areas above, woodland at lower elevations and small meadows along the lane.

High Well, south of Taddington, is a spring at the foot of a limestone outcrop that feeds an oval pond. High Mere is a geological formation created during the Ice Age. The permissive footpath on Taddington Moor has two pedestrian gates and follows a steep, uneven grass track. Path conditions and access arrangements may change; check them before your visit.

Village layout

Taddington is a linear limestone village and has preserved its strip-field system. Its village scene also includes back lanes and numerous paths connecting them with Main Street. Main Street is therefore part of a wider layout: the back lanes and their connections are also part of the village structure that has been preserved. The linear plan describes the village’s elongated form; the strip-field system adds the division of the fields to this spatial arrangement.

Church and history

St Michael’s Church in Taddington was rebuilt on a larger scale in the 1370s. In the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels stands a cross classified as a Scheduled Monument, probably dating from the 11th century. Its shaft is made of red gritstone, stands six feet high and is decorated on all sides. The church and the cross thus represent different historical periods.

Despite being partly damaged by stone removal and excavations, the Five Wells chambered tomb is still in reasonably good condition.

A visit in August

Every year, during the third week of August, Taddington hosts the Well Dressing and Flower Festival. Events take place at the church, in the churchyard and in the village. The festival’s regular timing can be factored into your travel plans, while the landscape, village layout and historic sites offer further themes for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Eyam, Sutton On The Hill, Furness Vale, Castleton, Kilburn, Hognaston, Hathersage, Grassmoor

For the main travel overview: Derbyshire.