The Village of Mayfield lies solely within Staffordshire on the banks of the River Dove, which forms the County boundary with Derbyshire. Ashbourne in Derbyshire is some two miles away. It is also situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The A52 trunk road runs along the east boundary and the busy B5032 to Uttoxeter runs through the centre of the village.
Mayfield village is made up of three main areas which could be classed as villages in themselves. These are Church Mayfield, Upper Mayfield and Middle Mayfield. The total present population is approx 2000 residents.
There has been a settlement in this area since Saxon times and Mayfield is listed in the Doomsday Book as Mareveldt. Mayfield church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, is thought to have been built about 1125. It was rebuilt by T Rolleston in 1616, as appears from an inscription above the arched entrance at the west end. It contains a 14th century chancel and a 16th century tower. In the churchyard can be found an original Saxon cross.
Mayfield can also claim a niche in history, for it was here on 7th December 1745 that the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie passed on its retreat from Derby. Some of the Young Pretenders troops terrorised the villagers who had taken refuge in the church and bullet holes in the west door give testament to their frustration. Legend has it that many of the Scottish rebels were caught and were hung from gibbets on the old bridge, known to this day as the Hanging Bridge.
There has been some sort of mill in Mayfield since the thirteenth century when most of Mayfield belonged to the Priory of Tutbury. Textiles first appeared in 1795 when the cotton mill was completed. It was destroyed by fire in 1806 but rebuilt with more fire proof materials and cotton spinning continuing until 1934. Today there is still a mill in operation processing man-made fibres for a variety of different industries. A large number of Victorian mill houses offer further evidence of the historical importance of the milling industry in the village.
See also :
Ashbourne
