Wetton Village in the Peak District

Wetton village, situated in the Peak District National Park, is a good base to explore the surrounding area. Wetton is a pleasant stone built village standing high above Wetton Mill in the Manifold valley. Wetton has an inn and a part 14th century church which has an external staircase to its belfry.

Wetton Church	Wetton pub
Thors Cave

There are burial mounds on Wetton Low which were found to contain human skeletons dating back to about 1600 BC. Also close by is Ecton Hill, which is literally dotted with old lead and copper mines. The profits from Ecton enabled its owner the Duke of Devonshire to commission the cresent building in Buxton. To the north west of Wetton village an old limestone quarry, which closed in the 1940's was used for paving sets and lime burning. South of Wetton can be seen the old lead mines of Bincliff, from which lead was exported up until 1885. Flax was widely grown from the 17t century and was spun in village homes. Sheep farming was, and still is, a major industry in the area, the river Manifold at one time being used for washing sheep. Arable farming was equally important and the long strip fields near Wetton and Alstonefield can still be seen.

Thors cave, rising 360ft above the river Manifold has a 60ft entrance but is a disappointing promise of a good cave system. It looks quite spectacular and is one of many caves in the area which have yielded ancient bones and artifacts.

Wetton Mill is now owned by the National Trust but once ground corn for the local community. It closed down as a mill in the mid 19th century but is now being restored as a museum piece. There is a cafe on the grounds.

The river Manifold often disappears underground here, especially in dry spells and reappears after a journey of about 4 miles at Ilam.

Directions for Wetton

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