Thorpe village in Derbyshire, lies where the the river Manifold meets the river dove and is dominated by the conical hill of Thorpe Cloud which guards the entrance to Dovedale. The word thorpe originates from the scandinavian word for an outlying farm or hamlet and it is a quiet, pretty little village with stone cottages and a few more affluent homesteads.

It can be the starting point for many enjoyable walks into the hearts of some beautiful dales with the route through lin dale to dovedale`s famous stepping stones being the best known.

Thorpe	Thorpe
Thorpe Cloud	Thorpe Cloud

St Leonards Church is a pretty looking buiding with some interesting features.It has a squat norman tower and a norman nave. Its font is 11th century and is one of only 3 derbyshire `tub` fonts. The 17th century tomb of John Milward has beed partly destoyed during restoration but in front of it, are engravings of his 2 daughters dressed in gowns with embroided bodices and his 2 sons in cloaks and wide topped riding boots. Both the sons were soldiers, one a colonel in the service of King Charles the First.

Examination of the south porch will reveal some interesting scratch marks on either side of the doorway. Since the 14th century,after the black death had seriously reduced the number of available archers needed to protect king and country, a general decree was passed ordering sunday afternoons to be set aside for archery practice, and those marks were made by the sharpening of arrows.

There are no shops or pubs as such in Thorpe, just peace and quiet and some lovely views over the valley on one side of the village, and towards Thorpe Cloud on the other.

Directions for Thorpe

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