At the end of August Eyam celebrates with a well-dressing, when flower pictures, each painstakingly made from tens of thousands of petals, decorate the springs that for centuries have brought life to the village. But Eyam is celebrating more than just water, for this village, with its attractive cottages lining the main street, will forever be linked with the Black Death. Here during the bubonic plague of 1666 the people, led by their rector William Mompesson, chose to cut themselves off from the outside world rather than risk spreading the disease. When the epidemic finally abated, over three-quarters of its inhabitants were dead. This sacrifice is remembered every year, on Plague Sunday, with an open-air service in Cucklett Delf.
LOCATION: 10 miles east of Chapel-en-le-Frith
START: Eyam car park, toilets, free village car park just above.
Grid ref: SK216767 Postcode: S32 5QQ
DISTANCE: 4 miles
GRADE: Moderate with a steady uphill climb
TIME: 2 hours
MAP: Outdoor Leisure - White Peak Landranger 119
REFRESHMENTS: Cafe in Eyam
EN ROUTE: Eyam Hall, Cucklett Delf, Riley Graves
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News