Bonsall
A perfect example is the village of Bonsall. Very few visitors to the Peak District go to Bonsall – but these people are missing out on a real gem of a village. Bonsall is the birthplace of the frame-knitting industry. This is evidenced by the distinctive long windows seen in the village, which are designed to maximise light. Bonsall is also known as one of the healthiest places in the country; it's not hard to see why when you consider the 450 foot climb necessary to get from one side of Bonsall to the other! The village is also the home of the Annual Derbyshire Open Hen Racing Championships and a haven for UFO watchers.
The unusual shape of the village is due to the village being built alongside the Bonsall Brook, which provided the power for Arkwright's factory in Cromford starting in 1771. There are attractive clusters of cottages to be seen as you walk down from the high point of Uppertown to the former Pig of Lead Pub at the bottom.
The major attractions of the village are the 13th century St. James Church, which overlooks the town, the Elizabethan manor house on High Street and the King's Head Inn, which dates from the 1600s. John Wesley once preached in the market cross here, making this an attraction in its own right.
Even the telephone kiosk outside of the Barley Mow Pub is an attraction, having been designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, designer of the Liverpool Cathedral, the Battersea Power Station and the Waterloo Bridge!
The Barley Mow Pub is also a hangout for UFO watchers – but even if you're a skeptic yourself, then you can still enjoy the balcony at this CAMRA "Pub of the Year" winner. UFO enthusiasts will enjoy watching the skies here; Bonsall was the site of several UFO sightings some years back.
For those who enjoy a good walk, Bonsall can offer much. There are paths up into the hills for a panoramic view of the Derwent Valley and Riber Castle. There is also the Heights of Abraham, where a cable car can be taken to Matlock Bath.
Bonsall is a quintessential English village. Its annual well dressing festivities, its history in the milling industries and its ties to the limestone hills around it mark it as a part of the Peak District National Park.
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