Alstonefield is a large village dating back to at least the 9th century. Its buildings are now predominantly 18th and 19th century with the exception of its fine church - St Peter's.
"Alstonfield, or Alstonefield, is a village of well built houses,
picturesquely seated on a western declivity above Dovedale, ten miles E of Leek,
and six miles N by W of Ashbourne. It has a good inn, for the accomodation of
tourists who come hither to view the wild and romantic scenery of this neighbourhood,
which equals the grandeur of many of the most celebrated scenes in Derbyshire,
from which county the extensive parish of Alstonfield is separated by the river
Dove. The Hamps and its tributary streams, flow from the high moorlands and
rocky hills, through the deeply secluded vallys of this widely spread parish,
which contains only about 4700 inhabitants, though it has about 24000 acres
of land in its nine townships of Alstonfield, Lower Elkstone, Upper Elkstone,
Fawfield Head, Heathylee, Hollinsclough, Longnor, Quarnford & Warslow.
Alstonfield township contains 2995 acres and 654 souls. The following are its
hamlets and their distance from the village; Gatam, one mile W; Hope, half a
mile SW; Milldale, three quarters of a mile SE; Stanhope, one mile S; and Narrowdale,
one mile NW.
Heathylee is a large moorland township, containing 578 souls and 5487 acres,
including the village of Hardings Booth, two miles W of Longnor, and the scattered
districts of Broncott, Morredge Top, Middle-Hills, Longnor-Mill, Downsdale,
and some others, on the banks of the Manifold.
The township of Warslow and Elkstone (Upper & Lower) formed a chapelry to
Alstonfield parish and details can be found on the Warslow parish page.
The township of Longnor formed a chapelry to Alstonfield parish which included
the township of Fawfield Head and details can be found on the Longnor parish
page.
The township of Quarnford formed a chapelry to Alstonfield parish which included
Hollinsclough and details can be found on the Quarnford parish page. "
[From History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire, William White, Sheffield,
1851]
St Peter's Church - Alstonefield
As with many churches, St Peter's is a mixture of styles and architecture. The interior is mainly 15th century, with earlier Norman sections and later 18th and 19th century additions.
The church is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area, with its interesting interior woodwork and numerous items dating back to Viking and Norman times.
The village itself was of major importance to the area having in the past a wool market, a silk mill, cheese factories and even a work house!
Scene from the village
The village also has a great pub - The George, here are somebody else's comments.
 |
Wlaks In The Peak District
- Two hour walk - Alstonefield-Milldale |
to
villages page