Castleton is a beautiful village situated at the head of the Hope Valley in the heart of the Peak District National Park. The village is popular for its show caves, history, shops, Christmas lights, garland ceremony, Winnats Pass, Cave Dale and for those wishing to walk on the numerous footpaths in the area . Surrounded by hillsides and overlooked by Mam Tor (the shivering mountain) and the ancient Peveril Castle.

A short history…
Castleton was founded after the building of Peveril Castle in 1086, the castle was built by William Peveril, son of William the Conqueror. There was possibly an Anglo Saxon settlement on the east side of the village near Hope as there is an embankment running through the village, and s shaped strip fields on the east side, known as furlongs. The village developed under the protection of the garrison and grew and prospered from this period. The population was made up of farmers, retailers, men at arms and others. The village was on the main packhorse routes and an important stopover in coaching days in later centuries. It was also an important lead mining and market village. The oldest part of the village is by the river, Peakshole Water near Cavern Walk. Along Back Street can be seen several folds where houses were built around 3 sides of the courtyard, which had a narrow opening onto the street, where animals were penned at night.

This picturesque village is now designated a conservation area and much of its history can be read in its layout and architecture.

Geology:
Castleton is on the boundary of the northern gritstone ‘Dark Peak’, and the southern limestone ‘ White Peak’.

The ridge to the north marks the beginning of the gritstone / shale beds giving rise to the high gritstone moorland plateaux. The gritstone shale bands can be seen in the face of Mam Tor and the instability of the shale beds is illustrated in the massive landslip on the A 625 at Mam Tor.

The hills to the south of the village are ancient coral reefs made of carboniferous limestone and behind them is the massive limestone laid down in a warm coral sea. The cave and underground river systems contain spectacular formations. The joints and cracks have been mineralised and contain veins of lead, fluorspar, barytes and calcite.

In Treak Cliff hill, a very pretty form of fluorspar, only found in this area, can be seen in two show caves. It is known as Blue John and is mined to make jewellery, which is sold locally. The mineral crystals were impregnated naturally during the formation with hydro – carbons, possibly altered by latent radio-activity in the rocks, to give them an attractive blue and yellow banding.

Castleton Garland Day, 29th May:
Oak Apple Day on the 29th May, was once celebrated throughout the country in commemoration of Charles II regaining the throne. The Garland’ itself is a beehive shaped head-dress, covered with wild flowers and greenery, worn by the King over his head and shoulders. The King and his Consort are dressed in Stuart costume and lead the Garland procession on horseback with music and dancing in the village.

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