Derbyshire

Renowned as a diverse county with both town and city nestled in breathtaking countryside, Derby is particularly interesting given it dates back thousands of years yet it is one of Britain’s youngest cities. Awarded its charter by the Queen in 1977, there is evidence human settlement there since 2500BC, with burial mounds located throughout the county, in places such as Minning Low and Five Wells. Today, the largely rural community of nearly 100,000 people, spread across 250,000 hectares, rely on agriculture, coal mining and tourism for work. Boasting a substantial portion of the Peak District National Park, along with Elvaston Castle Country Park, it has not forgotten its roots. Well Dressings, a pagan ritual where wells are decorated with flower petals and then blessed by the local clergy, is still celebrated in 60 towns and villages there today. The county has also inspired great literature - from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to D H Lawrence’s Wintery Peacock.

Barchester homes in Derbyshire: