Alderwasley
The church is to be found next door to Alderwasley Hall School. The village of Alderwasley is one of the largest, geographically , in the country, and being a little isolated, the church is not normally open during the day.
Brassington
The church sits high on the side of a hill overlooking Brassington village, and is open for viewing during summer months. Brassington village has a school and two very good pubs but no shop. The view from the church porch is worth the climb.
Idridgehay
Idridgehay is situated on the main road into Wirksworth from Derby, and is soon to boast a station on the newly restored Ecclesbourne Valley railway line. The church is a Victorian building which is not normally open during the week. There is a fine garden in front of the church which is available for people to stop and enjoy the view
Wirksworth
St Mary is the largest church in our team. It stands in a churchyard long since closed for burials, which now provides green space in the centre of the town. Its cruciform shape provides a fascinating space for the visitor to explore the many corners in which wonderful discoveries in stone and marble are to be found. The market town of Wirksworth has a good number of shops, schools eating places and pubs for the visitor to discover and is fast becoming a popular tourist destination in the Derbyshire Dales. The annual Wirksworth Arts Festival sprang out of the celebration of the church’s patronal festival . The traditional “clypping” service on that day involves the congregation joining hands around the church to embrace or “clypp” it.
Bonsall
Bonsall church is high on the hill above the village of Bonsall right next to the church school. The village is a thriving community with many social groups and fascinating houses. It has a pub serving good food and beer but no shop. The church is not normally open during the week.
Carsington
St Margaret’s is found at the top of the path through the churchyard, and though small is a gem of a church associated with the locally famous Gell family from whom the secondary school in Wirksworth derives its name. The village is popular with walkers and cyclists who visit Carsington reservoir, and has many holiday cottages. The church is open all week , and has a strong link with the church infant and junior school.
Kirk Ireton
The delightfully intimate space in Kirk Ireton Church provides inspiration to those who call in, as the church is open during the week. The village has a church school, village hall, pub and post office, and enjoys a thriving social life.
Bradbourne
The church is found next to Bradbourne Hall, and has splendid views across typical Dales rolling countryside. The actor Alan Bates, who had a home in the village, is buried with his wife and son in the churchyard. You will see a memorial fountain at the top of the lane to the church. Though not open during the week the ancient tower and views from the churchyard are worth a look.
Elton
Elton is a small farming village which recently won the Derbyshire Village of the Year award. It has a strong sense of community, and the church enjoys a great deal of support from the village. The church school is next door to the church, and Elton has both pub and sub post office as well as a well visited café famous for home cooking and for being a popular meeting place for cyclists. The church is open during the day.
Middleton
Middleton boasts a proud association with the local limestone quarrying industry. The church, unusual for an Anglican church for its “chapel” style architecture is full of light from the large windows, and is open during the day. It is next door to the county school with which is has strong links. Middleton has two pubs, a post office, and a wonderful Millennium Garden .
