Youlgrave is one of the larger villages in the White Peak. On local signposts it tends to be spelled ‘Youlgreave’ but most people think the extra ‘e’ was an early 20th Century affectation and prefer to drop it. The village signs were changed four or five years ago.

The village is largely built of local limestone and gritstone. The Peak National Park Authority now ensures that all new building is in traditional materials.

It is probable that, until about the middle of the Twentieth Century, most of the residents got their living from either farming or lead mining. They were supported by a full range of builders, craftsmen, shop-keepers and tradesmen and women. Older residents can remember when the village had more than 30 shops. Evidence of them is seen in the large windows of some cottages. Lead mining ceased in the 1950s.

Today the village has a fine Mediaeval church, two Methodist chapels, three pubs (all of which serve food), two good butcher/general shops, a Post Office, a newsagent, a garage, a primary school, a medical centre and a Youth Hostel.

Youlgrave was one of the earliest villages to restore the ancient Derbyshire tradition of well-dressing after the Second World War. The tradition of dressing wells, springs or public taps is very old and was probably associated with giving thanks for clean water. The custom has grown in recent years so that many villages in Derbyshire now dress their own wells during the summer months.

Youlgrave is fortunate in having some highly experienced and skilled designers and petallers. The process starts when wooden boards are laid in a nearby brook to soak thoroughly before being filled with clay. This forms a soft damp bed into which a design is pricked and then filled in with brightly coloured natural objects. These range from whole flowers or just the petals, cones, seeds, berries, lichens, mosses and even donkey or horse hair.

Five wells are dressed every year and dedicated on the third Saturday in June, a band leading the procession. Their locations are shown on the map.

For more information about the village why not visit the village's own website.

From the main street, cottages spill down to the dale and are accessed by narrow paths or ginnells. Our cottage is down one of these and is tucked away on the side of the dale with a wonderful view down to the river and over to the woods and hills beyond.

River Bradford

Flows along the dale to join the Lathkil at Alport, about a mile below Youlgrave. Both dales afford excellent walking in peaceful surroundings. You can enjoy varied walking from the doorstep.

Youlgrave’s location makes it an ideal holiday base for anyone wanting to explore the Derbyshire Dales, or the Peak National Park generally, especially those who want to do at least part of their exploring on foot. Footpaths radiate in all directions from the village. Paths along the river in beautiful Bradford Dale afford easy walking both upstream to Middleton and downstream to Alport, where the river joins the Lathkil. There are many opportunities for circular walks. Wildlife is much in evidence in the dale. Dippers haunt the river and the elusive kingfisher is often seen by early risers.