Stoney Middleton in the Peak District, Derbyshire. An historic village where homes are set into the cliffs, including the Lovers Leap cliff where the Curry Cottage restaurant sits beneath – where you can dine inside a cave. The village also boasts the UK’s only Grade II listed fish and chip shop – Toll Bar Fish and Chips is based inside the former toll house when the main road was subject to a toll. (Image: MEN)
Strolling hand in hand through a quaint country village with your significant other is an idyllic way to spend Valentine’s Day.
The boasts a plethora of picturesque villages and towns perfect for a day trip or a romantic weekend getaway, with Bakewell and Castleton being among the favourites.
However, if you dare to venture off the well-trodden path to one of the national park’s lesser-known villages, you’ll uncover a place steeped in tales of romance and heartbreak, set against a stunning backdrop.
Nestled just south of Eyam lies the village of Stoney Middleton, backed by dramatic limestone cliffs intriguingly dubbed Lovers Leap, hinting at the romantic narratives tied to the village.
In recent times, Stoney Middleton has hit the headlines due to visits from a few celebrities.
A-lister filmed scenes at the nearby Dalton Quarry for Mission Impossible 7 in 2021, and in 2023, rock star dropped by the village’s Grade II-listed chip shop, housed in the former Toll House, for a quick snack.
But as Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s the tragic love stories of this Peak District village that take centre stage. Perhaps the most poignant is the story behind the naming of the cliffs as Lovers Leap.
Legend has it that in 1762, Hannah Baddeley jumped from the outcrop after her lover William Barnsley spurned her, reports .
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The village’s fish and chip shop (Image: MEN)
Hannah was fortunate that her petticoats acted as a parachute, slowing her descent and enabling her survival.
A pub carved into the cliffs was named The Lovers Leap and today, Curry Cottage, an Indian restaurant, occupies the site where you can even reserve the private cave-like dining room.
Stoney Middleton also featured in the tragic love story of Allen and Clara, who were murdered by miners at Winnats Pass near Castleton.
They planned to elope to Peak Forest and spend the night at the former Royal Oak, a historic pub in the village.
However, their conversations were overheard, and the following day, as they embarked on their journey, they were ambushed at Winnats Pass where a group of miners killed them and stole their belongings.
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Stoney Middleton in the Peak District, Derbyshire. (Image: MEN)
Although the pub no longer exists, a fish and chip shop stands opposite the site, allowing you to imagine the dramatic events while enjoying your chippy lunch.
Just north of Stoney Middleton is the village of Eyam, notorious for its self-imposed quarantine during the bubonic plague in 1665. The plague claimed the lives of 260 people, causing widespread grief.
One of the most touching stories associated with Eyam’s quarantine involves star-crossed lovers Emmott Sydall, an Eyam resident, and Rowland Torre, a Stoney Middleton inhabitant, who were separated by the plague.
Emmott and Rowland would meet daily at a distance at the nearby cave Cucklette Delf, but one day Emmott failed to show up, having fallen victim to the disease.
Despite her absence, Rowland continued his visits in hope, only to discover the devastating truth once quarantine was lifted.
The village of Eyam (Image: PA)
For those wishing to delve deeper into the tragic love stories of Stoney Middleton and its surroundings, trail maps can be purchased from The Cupola.
This cafe-turned-restaurant and visitor centre serves as an ideal starting point for exploring Stoney Middleton.
Priced at £3, the heritage trail maps offer visitors a choice between the ‘purple walk’, a 75-minute tour of the village’s key landmarks; the ‘green walk’, a 60-minute tour of Eyam; or a combined walk which takes approximately two hours and 15 minutes.