A LITTLE BIT OF DERBYSHIRE

Are you Derbyshire born and bred and yet have never been Inside Chatsworth House and all its glories seen,

Or travelled on to Bakewell, so well known for its tarts, Where they make lovely puddings, fit for the Queen of Hearts.

Then on your way to Haddon Hall and there I’m sure you’ll find, You’ll think of Dorothy Vernon, with romance on your mind, For ’twas there that Lord John Manners with Dorothy did elope, Both of them had courage, and of course were full of hope.

Then on to Matlock you must go, a place you will adore,

One side of the road the Heights of Abraham, the other side High Tor, A stroll along the lovers’ walk on Derwent’s river bank

Is beauty at its best, and with the best would rank.

Then on your way to Monsal and the meandering River Wye, Upon the head overlooking the valley, I’m sure you’ll give a sigh, As you overlook the viaduct, which is near Monsal Station,

One feels the joy of living, with a feeling of elation.

As you are now near Eyam, to this place you really must go,

Where sacrifice and devotion were enacted more than 300 years ago, For there in 1665 and 1666 the Great Plague took its toll,

Killing nearly all the inhabitants, it hardly missed a soul.

So on to Hathersage – you’ve come so far you must journey on, Up to the old churchyard, to see the grave of Little John,

For there, so plain to be seen, as in the legend ’tis said,

You’ll find a yew tree at the foot, one also at the head.

Now what about going to Castleton in the valley by hills surrounded,

I’m sure you’d be impressed, in fact you’d be astounded,

By the beauty of the place, in the charts could be classed as number one, With four caves or caverns in the village, the best known is Blue John.

Then up to dear old Tideswell, the cathedral of the Peak, Seeing many things of beauty, if, we only care to seek,

This beautiful 14th-century church, in which I think you’ll find, Rest and contentment and also peace of mind.