Derelict Buildings
In the countryside surrounding Holymoorside are the sites of various derelict buildings
Some still retain much of their structure, whereas others have been reduced to no more than rubble and weeds
The history of the sites, where known, is explored on this page
Some still retain much of their structure, whereas others have been reduced to no more than rubble and weeds
The history of the sites, where known, is explored on this page
I have been unable to find out much information about the history of some of these locations
If you have any information about these fascinating places, I would greatly appreciate it if you could contact me please
Blind Horses Farm
Now lying in a very ruined state, this small holding in the valley below Harewood House Farm has long since been abandoned, but local legend has it that a woman and her two sons took up refuge here and would hide stolen horses in a natural cavern in the vicinity. I have explored the surrounding moor on several occasions and have yet to locate the cavern, although there are some interesting rocky outcrops at the side of the valley dropping down to the River Hipper.
Next to the small holding is what appears to be a mineshaft or basement, where a sizeable hole has been covered over with logs and large stones.
This story is also covered on the "Harewood Moor Legend" page.
Property East of Harewood Grange
I am not aware of the history of this property, but from investigating old maps I have discovered there used to be a residence to the east of Harewood Grange. Today there is very little remaining of the property, other than some foundations and part of a two foot high pebble dash wall hidden underneath some trees. The entrance off Harewood Road is no longer present, although a slightly recessed dry stone wall hints at its past.
Ruined Farm off Hunger Hill Lane
One of the most prominent ruins in the area, the remnants of this farm off Hunger Hill Lane can be seen from across the valley on Harewood Road. The gable end still stands, complete with chimney stack, but the rest of the main farmhouse has crumbled away. Some plasterwork inside still remains. It appears that the farmhouse was a simple two up two down building. Elsewhere onsite stand two stone barns, each showing signs of deterioration but still retaining most of a roof. One of the barns still retains wooden stalls within. Outside, the farmyard is now overgrown with weeds and trees, but a door frame of a long since collapsed outbuilding still stands. To the south of the property lies the garden, holding little of interest other than piles of old stones, but does provide a great view down the valley towards Holymoorside.
As with many of the other sites on this page, little is known about its history, although it appears to have been abandoned for a number of decades. It is possible that the property was condemned as being unfit for human habitation, like a number of similar isolated farmhouses in the 1950s and 60s.
My nan used to attend school in Ashover and her school bus would call off in the Hunger Hill area and pick up two children, a brother and sister. She has told me that the two siblings would always argue over who would get to sleep in the bed that night, as the other one would have to sleep underneath it. My nan speculated that this may be the farm they lived at.
Hunger Hill Pumping Station
Situated in the Cathole Valley, this former Chesterfield Corporation waterworks building dating from the early 1920s still stands relatively intact amidst the backdrop of brooding trees. The interior has long since been trashed by nature and vandals, but there are numerous decorative stone arches above each window and the main entrance doors. Other structures remaining nearby include some outhouses, external water tank and a small concrete bridge over the River Hipper.
For more information, please check out the pumping station's own page on this site.
Loads Road Chalets
Around the time of the First World War there were a number of chalets in the Holymoorside area where families would stay on holiday. There was at least one chalet located in this field pictured off Loads Road. It is unknown when they fell out of use, but it was likely before the Second World War, and they were in a very poor state by the early 1960s. Today, there is little evidence that they were ever here, except for some large rhodedendrons which were presumably planted by the chalet visitors.
Old Cottage, Nether Loads
Judging by the chimneys, this barn appears to have once been used as a cottage for farm workers.
It is currently used as a barn for the nearby Millclose Farm.
Page currently under construction - more information to be added soon!