Tideswell: Church, History and Seasonal Experiences

When planning a trip to Tideswell, you can choose from different focal points: local history, Tideswell Dale and seasonal events. This lets you decide whether the building and art history of St John the Baptist, the trails in Tideswell Dale or an event date will shape your stay.

Church and Local History

St John the Baptist is also known by the nickname “Cathedral of the Peak”. Construction began around 1320 and was completed shortly after 1400; the Black Death interrupted the work. An original wooden chancel screen separates the nave from the chancel. Church carvings by the locally based Hunstone family add a local artistic dimension to the building’s history.

Tideswell received a royal market charter in 1251. This is an earlier historical milestone than the start of construction on the church. Tides Low is also part of the village’s history: the monument, designated as a Scheduled Monument, includes a large Late Neolithic bowl barrow. An earlier Neolithic standing stone was incorporated into the barrow. The site therefore brings together features from different Neolithic periods.

Tideswell Dale and Routes

At the southern end of Tideswell lies Tideswell Dale, with a nature reserve and a sculpture trail. The Tideswell Dale “Access for All” route is 3.2 km long and leads to Miller's Dale. It starts at a car park south of Tideswell and can be reached via the B4049 or the A6 between Buxton and Bakewell.

Another option is the Mills and Martyrs Pilgrimage: this 9-mile day pilgrimage forms a circular route that starts and ends at St John the Baptist and passes around the four daughter churches of the benefice. The difference is not only in length, but also in the route shape: one route leads to Miller's Dale, while the other returns to its starting point as a circular walk. Flyers, information and badges for the self-guided pilgrimage route are available at St John the Baptist; check availability before you travel.

Festivals and Seasonal Dates

The Wakes Festival takes place every year in June, near the summer solstice. The festivities include a torchlight procession and a traditional weave dance. The Tideswell Food Festival takes place in early May, while the seasonal period for the Well Dressings in Tideswell runs from late June to early July. Exact dates may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the event days in advance.

These different time frames can help you choose when to travel: the Wakes Festival takes place annually in June, while it is worth checking the exact dates of the Food Festival and Well Dressings before your trip. Together with the church and local history, and the different routes, Tideswell offers several clearly distinct themes to help you plan your stay.

Discover more destinations: Duffield, Pilsley, Scarcliffe, Melbourne, Morley, Sandiacre, Shottle, Risley

For the main travel overview: Derbyshire.