Description: Bradwell is a pretty, unspoiled village set in the picturesque Hope Valley. It lies on the line where the dark and white peaks meet and is surrounded by rolling countryside divided up by dry stone walls typical of the area. Dating back to Roman times, Bradwell has a long tradition of mineral extraction, first in the form of lead mining and more recently the extraction of limestone for the production of cement. Its houses are built mainly in limestone, and adorn the hillsides in a higgledy piggledy fashion. This mixture of geological heritage and climate endows the area with some of the most attractive and varied scenery around. A stiff walk to the top of Bradwell Edge will prove the point, with views of Ladybower Dam (part of the Derwent Dams) and Win Hill to the north, Loose Hill and the mighty Kinder Scout beyond to the NW; further west lies Buxton and to the south the vast plateau of fields surrounded by the dry limestone walls that typify the White Peak area. To the east, views over the Hathersage end of the Hope Valley and the road from Sheffield, from which a spectacular introduction to the area is seen; indeed the name 'Surprise View' is no accident. Also visible to the east is the craggy face of Stanage Edge, a favourite of many climbers - indeed many world famous ones have cut their teeth on these rocks. Mining and mineral extraction have provided work in the Bradwell area since prehistoric times. In many homes they supported subsistence hill farming for centuries. In Roman times the lead mining settlements were controlled and protected by the garrison at Anavio (Brough) just north of the present village. Roman lead ingots were sent along the Derwent and Trent to Brough on Humber to be exported all over the Empire. Early Christians from Italy and France were among those exiled to the lead mines. Roman coin hoards have been found locally and The New Bath Inn marks the site of a medicinal spring, originally Roman but revived in Georgian times. Before England was unified, Bradwell was in border country between Northumbria and Mercia, and in the 5th and 6th century the Grey Ditch was built as a defensive wall from Mam Tor to Shatton Edge. It is still visible on the northern edge of the village. 'Eden Tree' caravan site near the original workhouse was known as 'Edwin's Tree' because of a legend that a King Edwin of Northumbria died there. Bradwell (Bradewelle) and Hazlebadge are shown in the Domesday Book as belonging to William Peveril, King William's bastard son. Other early settlements on Bradwell Hills and Smalldale have now fused with the old Bradwell centred on Towngate and Hollowgate, to form today's Bradwell. Very few buildings built before 1800 remain, though Smalldale Hall, Hazlebadge Hall in Bradwell Dale and some outlying farms have Tudor or earlier origins. The White Hart (1676- ) is the oldest surviving pub in the village. Most of the 19th century dwellings are artisan cottages. Light industry developed in the 19th century, including optical works, hatters, weavers and cobblers. Samuel Fox, inventor of the 'paragon' umbrella frame, was born in the village and was a great benefactor, employing many local people in his Sheffield and Stocksbridge works. Light engineering is still an important part of the 50 or so businesses in the village. The village was part of Hope Parish but got its own Anglican Parish Church of St. Barnabas' in 1868. It was a non-conformist stronghold; John Wesley preached in Towngate in 1747. The Wesleyan Chapel (1807) became the Methodist Church. The first Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1823 and the later one (1845) is now a photographic studio. The earliest chapel (Presbyterian) dates back to 1662 and is now used by Bradwell Scouts; Unitarians were also strong in Bradwell. (information from www.bradwellinpeak.f9.co.uk)