Hathersage

Hathersage is a vibrant village nestled in the Dark Peak. Overlooking Hope Valley, it’s surrounded by moorland and gritstone most prominent near the Sheffield region. Discover why it has become one of the most desirable villages to stay and live.

Hathersage is well worth visiting because it’s rich with history and offers a wide range of things to do such as countryside walks, pubs, shopping, sports activities, and places to eat award-winning food. The village is ideally situated near Sheffield city and many of the Peak District National Park’s top beauty spots.

Hathersage holds historical and literary significance, being tied to both the legend of Little John and the influential Eyre family. Local folklore claims that Little John, Robin Hood’s second-in-command, spent his final days in the village and is said to be buried at the magnificent St Michael and All Angels church. This legend, though largely hearsay, has been part of the community’s heritage for generations. The Eyre family, a prominent local lineage, also has deep roots in the area, with connections dating back to at least the 15th century. Their presence, along with The George Hotel and North Lees Hall, inspired parts of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, as the author based the fictional town of Morton on Hathersage during her visits to the village.

Hathersage swimming pool is a fantastic heated outdoor swimming pool surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. You can visit the open-air venue all-year round, keeping cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The pavilion has plenty of seating to escape unwanted sun or rain. Take advantage of their sell out events where you can swim to live music and and enjoy night swims. It also includes a grass area to relax and a pool cafe to grab everything from ice lollies to burgers, pizza and paninis. The multi use games area next door can be booked for tennis, 5-a-side football, netball, and basketball. The surrounding King George playing fields feature a skate park, table tennis (hire bats and balls from pool office) as well as a children’s play area with swings and slides for a family-friendly trip.

There are 4 pubs in Hathersage that double up as hotels. The George features on our best Peak District pub recommendations for its accommodation and long-standing heritage. The downside of Hathersage pubs is that you don’t quite get the lively atmosphere some people enjoy compared to pubs in villages like Castleton. Millstone Inn is further up the hill in Hathersage Booths, rewarding you with some nice landscape views overlooking Hope Valley. The Scotsman’s Pack is tucked away within the village on a less busy road compared to the others for a quieter outside drink in the summer. Little John hotel has tables more suitable for larger groups and includes a pool table for a bit of friendly competition. Alternatively, you can ditch the pubs altogether and go for the swanky cocktail bar at Bank House.

Take a scenic country lane walk down Coggers lane to Thorpe farm and back for fresh Hope Valley ice-cream. Within 30 minutes you’ll arrive at the farm shop where you can also see pigs, donkeys and cows. Try everything from vanilla and mint chocolate chip flavour to blackberry and whiskey & ginger. Pair with waffles or drink an affogato, a traditional Italian ice-cream dessert topped with with hot espresso and liqueur. 

Alpkit have demo bikes which you can hire for the day (or weekend). Enjoy a countryside bike ride to Castleton, which is one of the most famous villages in the Peak District for its beauty, caves, pubs, peveril castle, winnats pass, and quirky shops. The route is mostly flat and only takes around an hour there and back. It follows the main road with plenty of dedicated bike lanes along the way. Of course, the bus is also an option but far less fun for a day out.

Optional: Experience the most epic downhill thrill going through winnats pass once you’ve reached the far side of Castleton. First you must endure a fairly steep incline before turning around at the top. So, if you want to do this we recommend staying at Bike and Boot hotel and hiring an e-bike to do the hard work for you going up. If you choose to do the hill, just note that it’s a windy road also used by cars. Conditions should be dry and safety gear worn.

Hathersage boasts a wide selection of shops for a village. If you just want to meander, visit Grey Goose interiors, Hathersage craft shop & gallery, and David Mellor cutlery. Residents benefit from a Nisa Local petrol station, One Stop, Harrington Butchers, Hathersage pharmacy, Saxton Mee and ELR estate agencies, Heritage barbers, and a little shop for fresh fruit and veg.

It’s also the best place in the Peak District for outdoor gear shops. Go Outdoors, Outside, and Alpkit all compete in this small area, offering some great deals for walking clothing, camping equipment and bikes. Having the right gear is crucial to enjoy off-road walks in the surrounding area, especially in wet conditions. They all have a reputation for being friendly and helpful but Alpkit is your go-to choice for cycling whereas the other 2 have the edge when it comes to shoes and clothing.

There’s no shortage of amazing food shops to eat in Hathersage, including pubs, takeaways, outdoor cafes, and award-winning restaurants. The style of food is mostly British. Opening times are more restrictive than usual with many shops closing on a Sunday. Prices are quite high as the village is an expensive place to live and gets many visitors. Here’s a quick rundown of your options and some of the most popular recommendations.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8:30am – 4:30pm

An all-round local favourite is Coleman’s. It’s a long-standing family owned business with a variety of high quality breakfast and lunch, ideally located in the centre of the village in an area with its own parking. The outdoor seating is perfect for summertime but like most places it has limited indoor seating which can make it difficult to eat in at peak times during bad weather. This is your best stop for sandwiches, paninis, wraps, cakes, pastries and delicious fresh coffee. If you can’t find a seat or want a more budget-friendly alternative, the close-by shop, Outside, has a nice cafe that’s better value for money with additional hot meals like spuds. Plus, it also has a private car park around the back of the Texaco petrol station.

Opening hours: Weekdays: 8am-3pm, Saturday: 8am-4pm

Open House is a great choice if you’re after an upmarket lunch or conscious about what food you put in your body. They get top marks for their tasty drink selection and use locally sourced, organic ingredients where possible to serve meals that give your health a boost. Despite selling the sweet temptation of Nutella crepes, homemade cakes and milkshakes, the whole vibe is geared towards wellness with a connecting yoga studio upstairs. We’re talking avocado on toast, smoked salmon bagels, acai bowls packed with superfoods, and even turmeric/beetroot lattes. Of course, this comes with premium prices, which some of the wealthier residents in the village are prepared to pay, but not so much visitors searching for good value.

Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday: 10:30am-4pm. Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am-4:30pm. Only open Friday to Sunday throughout Jan and Feb.

Cintra’s is a tea room that feels like home. The garden area offers a unique experience in the village for those who like to relax in nature. The atmosphere is good for meet ups. You can get multi-tiered platters for sharing with all kinds of homemade goodies such as sandwiches, jam and cream scones, cakes and fruit to enjoy with your freshly brewed afternoon tea. It also serves one of the bigger and better Full English Breakfasts as well as hot meals like jacket potatoes and soup. Drinks are well priced but the food is a bit expensive.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9:30am – 11pm

Bank House stands as one the most iconic buildings in Hathersage. It’s just as impressive inside as an award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar. While expensive, it’s worth treating yourself to a touch of opulence on special occasions, particularly for valentines day and birthday meals. Book a table for succulent steak, Sunday roast, soft shell crab burger or a greek meze for the vegetarians. This prime real estate also comes with the most popular outdoor seating area to watch the world go by and best cover for colder and wet conditions. No need to wait for dinner either, Bank House is one of the only food places in Hathersage where you can eat from morning until night any day of the week.

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday: 4pm – 10:45pm. Friday and Saturday: 4pm – 11:45pm

Maazi is an Indian restaurant in Hathersage with a well decorated dine-in area and reasonably priced meals. A solid dinner choice for takeaway lovers who’d prefer to eat private at their holiday cottage. Situated next to Coleman’s, it also has parking and a small outside area.

Hathersage is pretty unique for a Peak District village in that it can remain active up to midnight. This is because the hotels are central and often host groups of visitors. The local restaurants and Vintners wine bar stay open late to catch this footfall. While most events are geared towards residents, here are a few to keep in the diary for a visit:

Usually taking place mid-July, the Gala continues long-standing quirky traditions in the village including wheelbarrow races through the streets in entertaining costumes. The bonanza can span over 3 days and while small-scale, it covers everything from duck races to discos and field events. The fairground is a great choice for the kids with bumper cars, bouncy castles and beer stalls for thirsty parents. One thing you can count on is a parade and this is the best day to visit. Themes change each year but you’re likely to find a tractor hauling floaties for Hathersage band playing live music and movie themed displays with locals marching alongside them.

Open House is a holistic wellbeing cafe that blends a love of nourishing food with regular events that inspire creativity and spirituality. While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, there are a range of events from yoga, meditation and tai-chi to silent book clubs, stitching and painting. It’s a nice place for community building that’s very much open to visitors and hosted by people who love what they do. See their events here.

Hathersage is situated far west in the Hope Valley region of the Peak District, which is in rural central England. You can spot it between Sheffield and Bamford. It’s just 15 minutes from Sheffield and easily accessible from Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Derby, and Birmingham.

Getting there by train: Take Northern Rail from Sheffield station in 17 minutes or Manchester Piccadilly station in 57 minutes and get off at Hathersage station. Walk down Station Road towards The George hotel for 5 minutes to get to the village centre.

Getting there by bus: Take the 272/271 First and Andrews buses from Sheffield to Castleton. Leaving from the furthest point at Sheffield Interchange takes around 40 minutes. If you’re travelling from elsewhere, get to Bakewell, the main town for switching buses, and get the 257 Andrews bus, which takes around 40 minutes.

Getting there by car: Use your GPS or Google Maps to find the village. Free parking in Hathersage can be difficult at peak times. If you’re lucky there will be a free spot along the main road for short stays up to 40 minutes. There’s also a layby for parking just outside the village on Castleton Road near Jaggers Lane on the other side of the road. Then walk 5 minutes into village. For longer visits, use a number of paid car parks, the main one being the Outside Cafe car park behind the Texaco petrol station.

• Padley Gorge
• Longshaw Estate
• Bamford Edge
• Ladybower reservoir
• Derwent dam
• Castleton
• Grindleford