Pictures of Eyam
About Eyam
The glorious Peak District has many handsome stone villages who have carved for themselves a place in history. Eyam, was naught but a tiny hamlet when in 1665 a clothes chest was delivered to a cottage. It came from London which at the time was riddled with the Plague. In no time at all, once the chest was open, plague germs spread and almost two thirds of the village population was wiped out! The fact that the remaining villagers were saved is due to the foresight of the local rector, William Mompesson and his predecessor, Thomas Stanley, who led the villagers into isolation and held church services on a nearby crag, in the open air until the village was free from decease. An annual commemorative service for those who died is still held in this spot. The cottage where the tainted clothes were delivered can still be seen.
Setting its chilling history to one side, this is a village with a lot to offer. It is hidden away in a matchless location above the limestone peaks of Middleton Dale. Its long village street is dotted with cottages from the 17th and 18th-century and its pub, the Miners Arms, dates from 1630. The name of the pub is indicative of the lead and mineral mining industries of the area, and interestingly the pub is supposed to be haunted.
Eyam Hall has dominated this little village for centuries. It was the home of the Wright family for over 300 years. It is now open to the public who can view a fascinating collection of family memorabilia including furniture, paintings, costume and other personal items. It is a comfortable house, evocative of times past, where you can almost feel the presence of the people who had loved and cared for their home for centuries.
In the churchyard of the village church you can see a Saxon Cross of the 7th-century. It is believed to be the best preserved of its kind in the Peak District. You can also see the graves of villagers who died from the plague. Inside the church there is a display of the story of the plague and its effect on Eyam. The church has medieval wall paintings, and fonts from the Norman and Saxon periods.
From the village there are sweeping views over the surrounding countryside, and at nearby Eyam Moor you can see stone circles and an ancient burial mound, it is an ideal vantage point with views extending across the Derwent Valley.
Nestling in its high upland position the village of Eyam throbs with life and in spite of its sad history, it is a lovely relaxing place to visit.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Eyam
| Peak District National Park | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km) | Pictures |
| Cressbrook Dale | (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Monsal Head | (3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Longshaw Estate | (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Chatsworth House | (4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Hope Valley | (5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Monk's Dale | (5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Stanage Edge | (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Peveril Castle | (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Peak Cavern | (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Magpie Mine | (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Blue John Cavern | (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Hay Dale | (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Chee Tor | (6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Haddon Hall | (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction S) | Pictures |
All attractions in EyamAll attractions in DerbyshireComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Eyam
Baslow, in the county of Derbyshire (3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction SE)
Set amidst the stark loneliness of the High Peak the village of Baslow is surrounded by some of the finest historic properties to be found in Derbyshire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hathersage, in the county of Derbyshire (3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction N)
The town now takes advantage of its superb position, operating mostly as an attractive place for tourists.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ashford in the Water, in the county of Derbyshire (4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction S)
The village was a centre for candle making, noted for lead mining and made famous by the discovery of Ashford marble which was first quarried by Henry Watson in 1748.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tideswell, in the county of Derbyshire (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction W)
Tideswell is famous for its superb, large church, known as the "Cathedral of the Peak".
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Edensor, in the county of Derbyshire (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bakewell, in the county of Derbyshire (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S)
Bakewell is the largest town in the Peak District National Park. It is an old town full of glowing stone houses and buildings that lend an air of ambience and overall warmth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Winster, in the county of Derbyshire (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction S)
Today, this graceful village with its sweeping main street and quiet little alleyways is a tourist destination of character and charm.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Buxton, in the county of Derbyshire (10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction W)
This barely spoilt town offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy a town crammed with beautiful buildings whilst exploring the high upland regions of England's glorious Peak District National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chapel-en-le-Frith, in the county of Derbyshire (10.2 miles, 16.3 km, direction W)
Chapel is a well preserved, picturesque place. It has a lovely old church dating back to the 14th-century which stands on the spot of an earlier church built by foresters a century or so before.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sheffield, in the county of South Yorkshire (10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chesterfield, a Historic Market Town in the county of Derbyshire (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction E)
Chesterfield is an attractive town close to the dramatic peaks of the Peak District National Park. It is well known for its...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hartington, in the county of Derbyshire (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SW)
Hartington is a small village centred around a medieval market place, with attractive 18th and 19th century buildings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Matlock Bath, in the county of Derbyshire (12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction SE)
Matlock Bath lies amongst some of the most beautiful river-valley country in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Whaley Bridge, in the county of Derbyshire (13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction W)
An attractive small town in the High Peak district of Derbyshire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Middleton by Wirksworth, in the county of Derbyshire (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in DerbyshireComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Grindleford Station | (2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction NE) |
| Hathersage Station | (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction N) |
| Sheffield City Airport | (14.3 miles, 23.1 km, direction NE) |
| M1 Junction 34 | (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction NE) |
| M1 Junction 34 | (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction NE) |
| Manchester Airport | (25.1 miles, 40.4 km, direction W) |
| Eyam to London | (139.1 miles, 223.8 km, direction SE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Eyam
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Eyam center |
| Sir William Hotel | (1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction NE) |
| The Maynard Arms | (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction NE) |
| Best Western George Hotel | (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N) |
| The Cavendish Hotel | (3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction SE) |
| East Lodge Country House Hotel | (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction S) |
| The Beauchief Hotel | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE) |
| Norfolk Arms Hotel | (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction NE) |
| Mardon House | (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction SE) |
| Whitworth Park Hotel | (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction S) |
| Sheffield Park Hotel | (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction E) |
| All hotels in Eyam |