Holmesfield
Encyclopedia
Holmesfield is a village and civil parish
in Derbyshire
. Steeped in history, the name "Holmesfield" means "raised pasture-land" and comes from Norse and Anglo-Saxon origin. Viking influences are also evident with many road names suffixed by "gate"; the old Norse word for "way".
St Swithins parish church marks the centre of Holmesfield and can be seen from almost all of the surrounding areas. The main church was built in 1826 but has seen further work in recent years with the Vicarage being added in 1999. Still visible in the grounds are the remains of a stone cross from around 641 AD, which would have replaced an original wooden cross erected by monks to mark the place where they would preach.
Other notable buildings include Holmesfield Hall, dated 1613, with additions built in the 18th century, and Woodthorpe Hall, a large 17th century, gabled manor house, dating back to 1636. There are also 4 public houses in the village, each of which is unique in its own manner: The Rutland Arms, The Horns Inn, The George and Dragon and The Angel. The Angel also serves as a popular restaurant, as does the village's authentic Thai restaurant at The Travellers' Rest.
Also to be found in the village is the village hall (accommodating clubs and societies such as Scouts and Guides and lively annual village events) as well as the Travellers' Rest Motor Garage, Cowley Lane Riding School, and a Victorian
built Primary school.
Holmesfield is surrounded by a beautiful topos of fields and woodland, and there are numerous footpaths and nature trails for the general public to explore, leading out into the vast Peak District.
as one of the manors belonging to Walter D'Aincourt
.
John Frescheville, 1st Baron Frescheville was in 1645 ordered to pay an annuity to the Vicar of Holmesfield Church, as part his fine, for being on the losing side in the civil war.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
. Steeped in history, the name "Holmesfield" means "raised pasture-land" and comes from Norse and Anglo-Saxon origin. Viking influences are also evident with many road names suffixed by "gate"; the old Norse word for "way".
Description
Sitting at approximately 800 feet above sea level, the landscape is often noted for providing extensive views of the valley below. The village of Holmesfield itself consists of a number of farming hamlets situated above the Cordwell Valley, and is surrounded by a rolling sea of undulating hills and moorland which separates it from the Peak District.St Swithins parish church marks the centre of Holmesfield and can be seen from almost all of the surrounding areas. The main church was built in 1826 but has seen further work in recent years with the Vicarage being added in 1999. Still visible in the grounds are the remains of a stone cross from around 641 AD, which would have replaced an original wooden cross erected by monks to mark the place where they would preach.
Other notable buildings include Holmesfield Hall, dated 1613, with additions built in the 18th century, and Woodthorpe Hall, a large 17th century, gabled manor house, dating back to 1636. There are also 4 public houses in the village, each of which is unique in its own manner: The Rutland Arms, The Horns Inn, The George and Dragon and The Angel. The Angel also serves as a popular restaurant, as does the village's authentic Thai restaurant at The Travellers' Rest.
Also to be found in the village is the village hall (accommodating clubs and societies such as Scouts and Guides and lively annual village events) as well as the Travellers' Rest Motor Garage, Cowley Lane Riding School, and a Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
built Primary school.
Holmesfield is surrounded by a beautiful topos of fields and woodland, and there are numerous footpaths and nature trails for the general public to explore, leading out into the vast Peak District.
History
Holmesfield is mentioned in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
as one of the manors belonging to Walter D'Aincourt
Walter D'Aincourt
Walter D'Aincourt accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066 and was rewarded with a large number of manors in a number of counties but particularly Nottinghamshire after the Norman conquest.-Biography:...
.
John Frescheville, 1st Baron Frescheville was in 1645 ordered to pay an annuity to the Vicar of Holmesfield Church, as part his fine, for being on the losing side in the civil war.