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Pictures of Winster

in the county of Derbyshire

Winster. A village in Derbyshire

About Winster

This fine Derbyshire village occupies a commanding position about 800 feet above sea level close to the spectacular limestone and rich grit-stone moorland of the Peak District National Park.

The village owes it existence to the riches garnered from lead-mining. Many of the picturesque pale limestone and creamy sandstone cottages were built during the 17th-century when the mining industry was in its hey-day. The larger, handsome houses to be seen in Winster were the homes of the mine owners. The styles of the properties reflect the faded glory of an industry that continued into the 20th-century when the last mine closed down.

In the main village street the most noticeable building is the Market House which quite possibly dates back to the 15th-century. It has a pitched roof and beautiful arches which are now closed in. It was the first building in Derbyshire to be acquired by the National Trust and is now a tourist information centre. Winster Hall is a large, elegant three-storey house built entirely of gritstone and dates from the 17th-century. The hall was once the home of a noted local historian and is said to be haunted. It is now converted to provide luxurious hotel accommodation. Of the twenty or so public houses used by miners of centuries, a few still remain, but some, like the house with 'Shoulder of Mutton' carved above the door, have been converted to dwelling houses.

The village still holds dear to traditions established hundreds of years ago. It celebrates wakes week in time-honoured fashion with a procession led by a king and queen attended by a jester and a troupe of Winster Morris men - one of the oldest in the country. The scene is preceded by a good natured witch who makes play of sweeping the path clean for their majesties triumphal progress. Just as with the annual Pancake Race on Shrove Tuesday, it is all good fun and everyone has everyone has a jolly time. Another tradition is the ringing of the village curfew bell which still chimes at 8 p.m. each evening.

In a lovely hillside setting you can find the church dedicated to St.John the Baptist. The building has fine stained glass windows and a tower dating from 1721. Inside there is a cast-iron relief of Leonardo's painting - The Last Supper, which dates from the 19th-century. In the shaded churchyard lie the graves and tombstones of centuries.

Today, this graceful village with its sweeping main street and quiet little alleyways is a tourist destination of character and charm. As such, it makes an interesting base from which to tour the wonderful Peak District National Park where you can experience breathtaking views of towering pinnacles, luminous caves and caverns, and magnificent waterways.


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 Winster

Robin Hood's Stride(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NW)Pictures
Nine Ladies Stone Circle, Stanton Moor(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction N)Pictures
Long Dale(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction W)Pictures
Haddon Hall(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction N)Pictures
The Heights of Abraham(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SE)Pictures
Gullivers Kingdom(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction SE)Pictures
Middleton Top Engine House(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction SE)Pictures
Riber Castle(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction E)Pictures
Lathkill Dale(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)Pictures
Darwin Forest Country Park(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction NE)Pictures
Carsington Water(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction S)Pictures
Chatsworth House(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction N)Pictures
Magpie Mine(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NW)Pictures
Tissington Hall(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Monsal Head(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW)Pictures

All attractions in Winster
All attractions in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Winster

Matlock Bath, in the county of Derbyshire (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction SE)
Matlock Bath lies amongst some of the most beautiful river-valley country in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Middleton by Wirksworth, in the county of Derbyshire (3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bakewell, in the county of Derbyshire (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction N)
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

Edensor, in the county of Derbyshire (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ashford in the Water, in the county of Derbyshire (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction N)
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

Hartington, in the county of Derbyshire (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction W)
Hartington is a small village centred around a medieval market place, with attractive 18th and 19th century buildings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Milldale, in the county of Derbyshire (7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction SW)
Milldale is a glorious stone village lying in scenic countryside towards the southern fringes of the Peak District National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Baslow, in the county of Derbyshire (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction N)
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

Crich, in the county of Derbyshire (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SE)
A village on the edge of the Peak District National Park with a Museum dedicated solely to the golden era of the Tramcar. Also famous as being the location for filming Peak Practice.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ilam, in the county of Derbyshire (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eyam, in the county of Derbyshire (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction N)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tideswell, in the county of Derbyshire (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NW)
Tideswell is famous for its superb, large church, known as the "Cathedral of the Peak".
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Heage, in the county of Derbyshire (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SE)
The village lies a short distance from the beauty spot Carsington Water, between the market town's of Ripley and Belper.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chesterfield, a Historic Market Town in the county of Derbyshire (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction NE)
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

Mugginton, in the county of Derbyshire (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction S)
This is a popular Derbyshire village with a church dating back to the Doomsday Book.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Derbyshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Matlock Station(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction E)
Matlock Bath Station(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction E)
M1 Junction 28(13.6 miles, 22.0 km, direction E)
M1 Junction 29(13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction E)
Sheffield City Airport(20.6 miles, 33.1 km, direction NE)
East Midlands Airport(25.3 miles, 40.8 km, direction SE)
Winster to London(130.1 miles, 209.3 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Winster

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Winster center
Whitworth Park Hotel(2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction NE)
East Lodge Country House Hotel(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction NE)
The Cromwell Hotel(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction E)
The Cavendish Hotel(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)
Dannah Farm Country House(8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction SE)
Peveril Of The Peak(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction SW)
Mardon House(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction NE)
Batemans Mill(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction E)
The Crewe And Harpur Arms(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction W)
The Beresford Arms Hotel(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)
All hotels in Winster

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