Whaley Bridge
The town of Whaley Bridge can be found in the East Midlands region of the country in the county of Derbyshire. It is thought that people have settled in this area since prehistoric times and that the Romans used the town as a crossing point over the local river, the Goyt.
It is thought that the town was documented as far back as the beginning of the 13th century when it was often referred to as being called Weylegh or Weyley. This name is the Saxon name for ‘the clearing by the road’. It is thought that the settlement here grew up in a clearing in the forest. By the late 14th century the town was gifted to William Jodrell by the crown. The Jodrells called the town and the area Yeardsley Whaley. This name was commonly used for centuries until the other name of Whaley Bridge was used instead.
For many centuries the town of Whaley Bridge remained a small and rural place of no great note. However, the town blossomed and grew in more industrial times as did so many towns in the region. In the 18th century, for example, the town became a terminus for the Peak Forest Canal. Although a rich fault of coal had been mined in a small way for centuries it was not until the 19th century that the town became very well known for its industry here. The arrival of the effects of the Industrial Revolution saw the population of Whaley Bridge virtually treble in size and the railway arrived here in the mid 19th century which helped foster the local expansion. At this point the town became best known for its textile industries such as cotton mills rather than for its coal mining.
The area is particularly popular with walkers and nature lovers. Often referred to as the Gateway to the Goyt the town is ideally located for local walks, footpaths and trails. The church of St James, Taxal is also worth a visit while you are here. The church was built in the 12th century and there is some evidence that parts of the tower date back to the original building. If you visit Whaley Bridge in June you can also enjoy the town’s week long Carnival which includes events such as the local tradition of well dressing and the Whaley Water Weekend. This event is popular with both locals and visitors alike.
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