The History and Evolution of Harpur Hill
Harpur Hill’s only pub, The Parks, stood for many years without local patrons. Initially a coaching inn, it was merely a stopover until 1820 when it began to reflect Harpur Hill’s identity. As the village’s oldest building, The Parks catered to travellers and likely originated from a croft or park, as its name suggests.
The arrival of the quarries transformed Harpur Hill from a quiet area into a bustling community. Quarrymen and their families settled into rows of limestone cottages. Those less fortunate lived in caves carved from limestone heaps, known as Liners. Dominating the village was the Hoffman kiln, renowned globally for its 170-foot chimney. Activities such as blasting, stone crushing, and lime burning made Harpur Hill a busy and noisy place.
As the village rapidly expanded, essential structures like a school and Methodist chapel were built before the 19th century ended. St James’ church, constructed in 1910 using local limestone, still serves the community today.
Life in the village continued until the First World War, which took many men away to fight, with some never returning. To honour those who died, a memorial was erected in the village centre. This monument, featuring a rough-hewn piece of limestone from the local quarry, commemorates the fallen and the origins of Harpur Hill.
In 1927, scientists arrived to study fire and explosion hazards in mines, utilising land on the village outskirts.
The Transformation of Village Life
The local football team played a significant role in village life, with Granny Askey of Burlow Farm being their most dedicated supporter. She never missed a match, using her umbrella to motivate the players and confront opponents who challenged her team.
The village underwent a major transformation during the Second World War when RAF Burlow was established on Burlow Farm. The base included a network of tunnels on a nearby hill for storing bombs. The RAF remained for 25 years, and after their departure, the storage tunnels were repurposed for peaceful uses such as growing mushrooms and storing cheeses. The buildings were later converted into the High Peak College of Further Education, Derbyshire’s only residential college.
Villagers’ livelihoods have evolved over time. Increased industry brought more people and housing to the area, while modern developments extended the town to the outskirts of Buxton, connecting Harpur Hill with the town. Despite these changes, Harpur Hill retains its rural character, surrounded by farms and maintaining the essence of the old village at its core.
Explore Harpur Hill
Discover the rich history of Harpur Hill, from its industrial roots and wartime significance to its modern developments. This village offers a fascinating glimpse into the past while embracing modern growth, all while retaining its charming rural character.
Do you have any memories of Harpur Hill? Leave a comment below if you do.
Related Links
- The Harpurist
- Buxton Civic Association
- Re-Naming of Tideswell Streets
- A History of Tideswell Congregational Church
- Black Harry – Derbyshire Highwayman
Hi Phil do you remember the Harpur Hill Piggery Band , I lived in Dolby Rd next door to the man who started it
Hello Graham, No unfortunately, I don’t remember it. My only association with Harpur was that I was at High Peak College for a while doing business Studies as part of my YTS training. I worked at Duron in Buxton. Computers were just coming out at the time and it was a pretty boring course, I felt sure I’d never use the skills. I remember the weather being terribly cold even in the Summer…me and a few mates would go up to the Blue Lagoon and lounge about there, smoking.
⁹d0 you remember Haupur hill piggery band