Eyam is a picturesque village in Derbyshire, England (Image: Getty)
A picturesque located in one of the most beautiful areas in the UK stands as a symbol of courage and selflessness due to its dark past. Eyam, a village in Derbyshire, England holds a unique place in history due to its self-imposed quarantine during the bubonic outbreak of 1665-1666.
The village’s residents voluntarily isolated themselves to prevent the disease from spreading to nearby communities, a remarkable act of self-sacrifice.
The is believed to have arrived in Eyam via a flea-infested bundle of cloth sent from London.
The first victim, a tailor’s assistant, died shortly thereafter, and the disease began to spread. The village’s rector, William Mompesson, and his predecessor, Thomas Stanley, led the community in implementing a strict quarantine.
This isolation lasted for over a year, during which nearly 260 of the village’s approximately 350 inhabitants perished.
The Plague cottages, Eyam (Image: Getty)
Eyam’s residents agreed to isolate themselves to protect nearby communities, despite the grave risks to the villagers themselves.
They established markers around the perimeter of the village. Outsiders would leave food and supplies at these stones in exchange for money, which villagers disinfected by soaking in vinegar.
Communal activities such as church services were moved outdoors to minimise contact, with families standing apart. While the families cared for their own sick, they also digged graves for their loved ones.
Despite the devastating loss of life, the sacrifice of Eyam’s inhabitants likely saved countless others in surrounding regions.
Eyam is now known as the “Plague Village,” and its story serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and selflessness.
Visitors can explore significant sites such as the Boundary Stones where goods and money were exchanged, the Parish Church of St. Lawrence, which holds records of the plague’s impact, the Plague Cottages, homes where entire families perished.
The Eyam Museum which has been dedicated to preserving the village’s history can also be on the list for the tourists.
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Eyam Church (Image: Getty)
Those who have been to the village have been left fascinated by its history.
One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor: “If you are a follower of the story of the 1665 plague you will find it both eerie and fascinating to be walking amongst the very cottages where those people died, plaques on the front of the houses outline who lived in each one and who was killed by the plague.
“If you have read the book ‘Children of Winter’ by the acclaimed author Berlie Doherty you will have good background knowledge of the village anyway.
“There are walks surrounding Eyam, one of which takes you to the stone on the outskirts of the village where kind-hearted people from neighbouring communities would leave provisions and locals would leave coins to pay for it in holes dug out in the stone.
“These would be dipped in vinegar to avoid spreading disease. We stayed in a coaching inn in the centre but luckliy there just happened to be a valentine’s dance on at the village hall with a band – what a stroke of luck.”
A second user said: “A beautiful village, steeped in history, well worth a visit. Coffee shops were welcoming and great service. Probably need a few hours in and around to village to appreciate it all.”