The village of Hope is situated in the northern Derbyshire and Peak District Hope valley which stretches from Castleton to Hathersage. To the north stands Win Hill and Lose Hill and the heather moors of the Dark Peak, to the south the limestone dales of thw White Peak. Passing motorists receive a distorted impression of Hope as a small ribbon development along the Sheffield - Castleton Road. This direct route through the valley is a relatively recent addition made possible by the draining of the marsh. Much of Hope is actually located on Edale Road, which runs at right angles from the main throughfare.
St Peters Church in Hope |
The old Hall |
Hope village was mentioned in Doomesday as having both a priest and a church. The present church, dedicated to St Peter dates from around the 13th century. It contains ancient memorials bearing the symbols of forest officers, for this area was once part of a Royal Hunting Reserve. These officers were known as Woodroffes, a term which survived as a family name figuring in local affairs for 500 years or more and which is perpetuated in the Woodroffe Arms pub.
Hope church contains many features of interest including a carved oak pulpit dated 1652 and a schoolmasters chair from the same period. In the churchyard stands a headless, 9th century, Saxon preaching cross.
The railway arrived in 1892 and opened up employment prospects for local people with easy access to both Manchester and Sheffield, though the local cement works still provides much local employment. All the usual family needs are catered for in the village. One of the shops known as the 'tin shop' is probably the last surviving building to have come from the temporary village of Birchinlee, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century to house workers on the construction of Howden and Derwent reservoirs.
As well as the Woodroffe Arms there is another pub called the Old Hall Hotel, formerly an old Hall belonging to the Balguy family. Well Dressing takes place on the nearest Saturday to St Peter's Day and the ceremony usually begins the Hope Wakes Week. The Hope Valley Agricultural Show and Sheep Dog Trials always attract many visitors and are held on August Bank Holiday.
See also
Castleton for information on the popular village of Castleton.
Edale
