Birchover
Coordinates: 53°09′N 1°39′W / 53.15°N 1.65°W
| Birchover | |
 Birchover parish highlighted within Derbyshire |
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| Population | 362 |
|---|---|
| District | Derbyshire Dales |
| Shire county | Derbyshire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MATLOCK |
| Postcode district | DE4 |
| Dialling code | 01629 |
| Police | Derbyshire |
| Fire | Derbyshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | West Derbyshire |
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Birchover is a village and civil parish in the Peak District National Park, in Derbyshire, England. It is about five miles north-west of Matlock, and according to the 2001 UK census had a population of 362.
Eagle Tor is a small hamlet on the north western edge of the parish of Birchover.[1]
History
Birchover is situated near a number of features of geologic and historic interest: a rock formation called Rowtor Rocks, consisting of numerous tunnels, carvings and caves; several prehistoric monuments, including Doll Tor; and a number of stone circles on Stanton Moor. The horror writer Joseph Freeman based a story here, 'A Room of his Own', in his first book Love Stories of the Undead (later reprinted in 2008's "This Is My Blood"), and has had articles published in Saccade magazine and a charity anthology called Dog Tales based on real-life eerie events in the nearby area.
Some people believe that the area was once used by Druids as a ceremonial worship site. This theory is supported by the local stone circle and the strange carvings to be found in the rock formation by the village.
Birchover was mentioned in the Domesday book as belonging to Henry de Ferrers[2] and being worth eight shillings.[3]
Bradley Rocks, near Birchover features as the location of the farm in the 1987 film The Princess Bride.
Notable people
- Eddie Shimwell - former Blackpool football player; first full-back to score at Wembley
References
- ↑ "Boundary Map of Birchover CP". Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ↑ Henry was given a large number of manors in Derbyshire including Doveridge, Linton, Breadsall and Great Longstone.
- ↑ Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 2003. ISBN 0-14-143994-7 p.748
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Birchover. |
- www.birchovervillage.com
- Birchover village directory
- book featuring Birchover's Rowtor Rocks as the setting for an eerie ghost story.