Edensor is an underrated village in the Peak District (Image: Getty)
A beautiful village in the Peak District is gaining attention for its stunning parkland and charming buildings. While the national park is famous for its breathtaking views and scenery, the graceful spire of the St Peter’s Church dominates the skyline of the underrated village of Edensor.
The village, which has been dubbed the “poshest in the UK”, is located in the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire. It is only accessible through an estate gate, making it the epitome of an exclusive community.
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St Peter’s Church dominates the skyline of Edensor (Image: Getty)
The village was rebuilt from scratch by the 6th Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish, alongside famed architect Sir Joseph Paxton in the 1830s and 1840s. The original location for Edensor was actually much closer to the River Derwent but spoilt the Duke’s view of Chatsworth.
Monuments to the Cavendish family can be found inside the St Peter’s Church while a special area is reserved for the family’s graves in the churchyard. A memorial to Kathleen Kennedy, sister of former USA President John F Kennedy, can also be found at the church. He visited the site shortly before his assassination in Dallas in 1963.
Kathleen was married to Billy Hartington who was the elder son of the 10th Duke of Devonshire. The pair married in May 1944 before Billy left around five weeks later to join his regiment in the Coldstream Guards to take part in the Allied invasion of Europe.
However, he was killed in action on September 10, 1944, and was buried in a military cemetery in Belgium. Kathleen then died in a plane crash four years later at the age of 28.
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Edensor is made up of an array of different house styles (Image: Getty)
Besides the iconic church spire, Edensor, which has an average property price of over £670,000, is made up of an eclectic mix of buildings, ranging from Tudor to Norman and Swiss-style cottages to Italian-style villas. It’s believed that when Paxton, who also designed the Crystal Palace in London, presented the Duke with potential designs, he simply picked “one of each”.
Although the village has a tranquil location, it is easily accessible from Derby and Nottinghamshire via the B6012. A popular spot for visitors to enjoy is the Edensor Tea Cottage. The former post office now serves breakfast, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea daily throughout the year.
From Edensor, people are able to take a brisk and scenic walk to Chatsworth – one of the UK’s leading country houses. It features immaculate gardens, weater features, a playground, shops, restaurants and cafes.
In the opposite direction, you can stroll across parkland and through native deer and sheep to reach the estate’s garden centre. It includes a warm and welcoming cafe to enjoy.