Shining torch on rock  The Rope Carrier novel by Theresa Tomlinson  Peveril Castle  Blue John novel by Berlie Doherty

 

Sir Walter Scott and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle both set stories in Castleton.  In more recent times both Berlie Doherty, Stephen Booth and Theresa Tomlinson have drawn inspiration from Castleton’s caverns.

 

 

Sir Walter Scott’s Peveril of the Peak tells the story of Derbyshire landowners pitted against each other during the English Civil War.  Royalist ex-Cavalier Sir Geoffrey Peveril and Puritan Major Ralph Bridgenorth are divided by news of a Popish Plot to tumble King James from the English throne.  Yet their children are deeply in love.  Espionage, suspicion, plottings and misunderstandings eventually resolve when the king intervenes on behalf of the young lovers.

 

 

 

 

When Dr James Hardcastle dies in London, a strange account of his terrifying visit to Castleton’s Blue John cave comes to light. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story ‘The Terror of Blue John Gap’ tells of blood on the rocks, an eery thunderous whining and the footsteps of a huge beast shaking the cave in the dark.  Hardcastle never really recovers.  Though he thought himself brave as a student, he is dead within the year of his horrifying experience. Visit Blue John Cavern if you dare, to see the celebrated crystal: but beware the terrors of the world beyond the gap.

 

Click here to read the whole story.

 

See Peak Cavern’s Great Cave, honoured by a royal visit as early as 1157.  The cave has functioned as a concert hall for centuries – even sporting firework displays – and still hosts an annual candlelit Christmas carol event.

 

Read Theresa Tomlinson’s The Rope Carrier before you go, for a warm and accessible insight into the old rope-making industry.  Workers lived in cottages hewn inside the caves and constructed rope-tension pylons all down the sides of the hills.  Tomlinson gives evocative descriptions of cave life, and touches on the local impact of Enclosure.  Even Garland Day gets a mention, a springtime tradition you can still see.

 

Multi-award-winning local author Berlie Doherty created her new myth of Castleton’s Blue John, as a story to music for the internationally renowned Lindsay String Quartet.  Blue John is created from the purple-blue glacier heart and gold of the sun to live underground with the Queen of Darkness and must never venture outside, lest he turn to stone.

 

 

Go further: A stupendous drive or walk beyond the caves takes you through Winnats Pass.  From Mam Nick car park begin a long walk over Mam Tor, or simply enjoy looking down on the village or watching the hanggliders swirl.

 

 

There are regular buses to Castleton, which has parking and public toilets near to the recently revamped visitor centre with museum and shop.  There are many places to stay, eat and shop, including gift shops selling Blue John souvenirs.

 

Peveril Castle is kept open to the public by English Heritage and affords atmospheric views across the Hope Valley.  There are four show caverns open to the public west of the village centre, with scenic walking beyond.

 

Castleton is well served by buses, with direct services from Sheffield and Bakewell.  On Sundays and Bank Holidays, bus service 260 runs between Castleton and Edale, via Blue John Cavern.  For details on all these services visit Traveline or ring Traveline on 0871 200 2233.