Eyam: a Peak District village known for the worst of times.

In Brief.

Eyam is a pleasant, long established village in the Derbyshire Dales. Clustered around the winding main thoroughfare of Church Street, the houses, church, pub and walls vary in style but not building materials, and the village is pleasant to wander around. However, Eyam is best known for its voluntary self-isolation during a plague outbreak in 1665. The story of this outbreak is told in the interesting Eyam Museum, and the town is dotted with plaques that record the impact of the disease as it swept through families. 

St Lawrence's Church: only one plague victim is buried there, as most burials were out of town to minimise the risk of exposure.

What's Here?

The Eyam Museum is the obvious place to start a visit, as it provides a detailed account of the plague outbreak, as well as some other information on the history of the village. The museum mostly consists of display boards that tell the story of different plague outbreaks, how the plague came to Eyam, and the devastating impact on the people of the village.  Although there are few exhibits, the museum provides an interesting balance of wider history, personal stories and scientific understanding, including a possible genetic explanation for why certain individuals who were exposed to the plague survived. Though the museum is far from providing a "horrible histories" style presentation, it is also made clear that infection led to a particularly unpleasant demise.

Wandering through the town, several houses have plaques that described the impact of the plague on their residents. Just outside town to the East are the Riley graves, which contain the husband and six children of plague survivor Elizabeth Hancock, who lived at the nearby Riley farm. The walk to the graves also provides views over characteristic Peak District countryside.

The graves of seven members of the Hancock family.

In the centre of town, Eyam Hall and courtyard provides a destination for visitors interested in some refreshments, shopping or some local history.  The hall itself is only open for a few months a year, and preserves various aspects of a long standing family home, including tapestries and a library.  There is an audio guide that helps to provide the context for the different rooms, though the hall is more low key than some other country houses in the Peak District, such as Thornbridge or Haddon.  However, the courtyard to the hall is open all year round, and provides a pleasant setting for a coffee and cake as well as gift shopping opportunities. 

Eyam Courtyard and Hall.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 35 miles.

Drive Time: 1 hour 10 minutes.

Price: Eyam Museum: $; Eyam Hall: $$. Note that Eyam Hall is not open all year round.

Parking: There is an inexpensive pay and display or pay by phone carpark opposite the museum.

Food and Drink: There are several cafes in Eyam, including in the Eyam Hall Courtyard.

Retail therapy: There aren't many shops in Eyam, but Eyam Hall Courtyard includes several outlets targeting visitors.

Child Friendly: Not especially, though the grisly history may arouse some interest. There was a school trip taking place during my weekday visit.

Toilets: In the carpark and Eye Hall Courtyard.

Do it justice in: Eyam Museum: 1 hour; Eyam Hall: 45 minutes.

Inside-Outside: Hall, Museum and Village: 70:30