Earl Sterndale is a pretty, upland Peak District village, lying at 1100 ft above sea level, surrounded by a picturesque range of limestone hills including Crome Hill, Parkhouse, Hitter, Alderley Cliff and High Wheeldon, given to the nation to commemorate those from Staffordshire and Derbyshire who died during the Second World War. It is situated 5 miles south of Buxton, at the northern end of the Dove valley.

Earl Sterndale is surrounded by a number of farmsteads called 'granges', a reminder from the Middle Ages when much of this land was owned by Basingwerk Abbey and the granges were where, monks lived and worked the fields.

Dowel Dale contains Dowel cave, once inhabited by the earliest known settlers of this part of the Peak District. Prehistoric remains found here are exhibited at the museum in Buxton.

Most of the buildings were built of stone quarried locally, and it has been quarring, lead mining and agriculture that has sustained the local economy.

The village church, dedicated to St Michael, was built in 1828 on the site of an ancient chapel. It was substancially destroyed in 1941, when it was mistakenly bombed by the enemy, the only church in Derbyshire to be hit by a German bomb. It was restored in 1952. and still contains a Saxon font.

The village inn has an unusual name, the Quiet Woman. The pub sign depicts a headless woman, with the words 'Soft words turneth away wrath'. It is thought to depict one nagging wife known as chattering Charteris. The story goes that her husband lost control one day and cut off her head, to the approval of the villagers.

The village Wakes are held on the friday nearest to the 11th of October. Tradition has it, that the person who is most drunk on the friday before the Wakes, is elected mayor for the year. As good a method as any I can think of.

Accommodation in Earl Sterndale

The Cottage at Earl Sterndale - The Cottage was once the Bakery for the Village, it has now been renovated into a One Bedroom dwelling. It dates back to the 1700's & is built of natural limestone. Relax & Enjoy this tranquil rural retreat. Cyclists, Walkers & Pets Welcome Read more at The Cottage

Braemar House Farm B&B - Braemar House Farm is a family run 200 acre working dairy farm offering the warmest of stays. Located in the heart of the Peak District, on the outskirts of the village of Earl Sterndale, the Victorian farmhouse sits 1,200 ft above sea level and has spectacular views over the Derbyshire Peaks to the distant Staffordshire moorlands. Read more at Braemar House Farm at Earl Sterndale

Wheeldon Trees Farm Holiday Cottages - Wheeldon Trees Farm is a group of eight , 4 star rated of recently restored holiday cottages sleeping up to 28 , situated by the side of High Wheeldon hill near Earl Sterndale, Buxton in Derbyshire's Peak District National Park. Private, self-contained units (including one wheelchair friendly cottage), Games Room with fully fitted kitchen & communal dining facilities – ideal for family and group gatherings. Pet friendly. Read more at Wheeldon Trees Farm Holiday Cottages

Many more photographs from the Earl Sterndale region at Derbyshire Photographs