PLAGUE VILLAGE LOOP
Eyam: the quaint Peak District village known to visitors and residents alike as the ‘Plague Village’. Take a trip though its fascinating and inspiring history…
Start: Eyam Hall, Hope Valley, S32 5QW
Distance: 5.35 miles
Duration: 2.5 hours
Elevation: 725 feet
Navigation: follow the route here
Most hikers are drawn to Eyam for its famous landmarks nearby, from Padley Gorge and Curbar Edge, to Sir William Hill and Eyam Moor.
But for us? To miss the atmospheric beauty of this village and its fascinating history would be a tale as sorry as Eyam’s past. Because a trip round this setting is to take a step back in time — where you can immerse yourself in the incredible story of Eyam’s unselfish villagers who sealed themselves off from the outside world to prevent the deadly disease from spreading.
Today, in a post-pandemic world, it’s even more poignant than it once was — a story we can all relate to, albeit under slightly less extreme and tragic circumstances.
First concentrated in London, the plague began to spread in 1665, with the authorities doing little to stop the spread. As the rich, including King Charles II, fled the capital to their country estates, the poor were left to face a merciless fate. Instead of providing relief measures and aid, the House of Lords decided that the policy of ‘shutting up’ infected individuals within their household would apply to all, except persons of note. Sound familiar?
The Plague was brought to this Peak District village via package in 1665, a package containing infected cloth from London. As you walk around the village, you can trace the package’s initial movements, from the Church of St Lawrence, to the Plague Cottages, the Riley Graves, and beyond.
Due to the unique actions taken by its villagers, Eyam’s people became known heroically, thanks to their actions taken to stop the spread of disease. As Eyam wasn’t able to support itself while in quarantine, you can see remains of their survival to this day.
Mompesson’s well, found today on the village boundary, was used to exchange money for food and medicine. To pay for these supplies, villagers left money in water troughs that were filled with vinegar — a substance thought back then to ward off and kill disease.
While these measures undoubtedly saved the lives of thousands in the surrounding area, Eyam became so known during the plague due to the high price they had to pay. Percentage wise, the village suffered a death toll greater than that of London.
Our route takes you past the church of St Lawrence, which dates back to Saxon times and still has its original font and Normal pillars. In the churchyard you’ll find an eighth-century Celtic Cross, decorated with a mixture of Christian and pagan symbols signifying life from a time gone-by.
Expect wells, water, plague and pilgrimage aplenty as you follow our gentle hike through Eyam and onto Stoney Middleton, wandering along old paths and tracks between two picturesque Peak District villages.
History lovers: this is one of the best hikes the Peak District has to offer. Fancy giving it a go? Follow the route here
