Eldon Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eldon Hill |
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Eldon Hill from the bridleway to the north. The start of the quarry workings can be seen on the right.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 470 m (1,540 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 70 m |
| Listing | None |
| Naming | |
| English translation | "Elves Hill" |
| Language of name | Old English |
| Geography | |
| Location | Derbyshire, England |
| Parent range | Peak District, White Peak |
| OS grid | SK115811 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 110, 119 OS Explorer OL1 |
Eldon Hill is a fascinating hill located in the Peak District National Park. You can find it in the county of Derbyshire, England. It's about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of the village of Castleton.
This hill stands 470 meters (1,542 feet) tall. It is made of limestone, a type of rock. While some of its land is used for grazing animals, a big part of the hill has been dug up. This digging is called quarrying, and it's done to get limestone. Eldon Hill is also part of a special area called the Castleton Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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What is Eldon Hill?
Eldon Hill is a very old and interesting place. It was formed when a thick layer of pure limestone was pushed and folded upwards by strong natural forces. This created a shape like a giant dome. It's the tallest limestone hill north of the River Wye.
The name Eldon comes from an old word. In 1285, it was called Elvedon. This name likely meant 'Elves' hill'.
Quarrying at Eldon Hill
Quarrying is when people dig up large amounts of rock from the ground. At Eldon Hill, permission to quarry was given in 1950. Since then, huge amounts of limestone have been dug out. This limestone was mostly used to build roads.
A large part of the northern and northwestern sides of the hill has disappeared because of this digging. Some people even called it a "well-known eyesore" in the Peak District. In 1995, a company wanted to dig even more. But their request was turned down. This was because new rules were made to protect the environment from old quarrying permits.
The quarry finally closed in 1999. Now, it stands unused, and plants are starting to grow on the quarry walls. There have been efforts to help nature take over again. Several small ponds have been created in the old digging areas.
When the quarry closed, it also gave cavers a chance to explore. They found some narrow caves that were uncovered by the digging. One impressive cave, Sidetrack Cave, was discovered in 2002. In September 2020, the old quarry was even used as a filming location for a TV series. This show was inspired by H. G. Wells' famous book, The War of the Worlds.
Eldon Hole: A Natural Wonder
About 350 meters (1,150 feet) south of the hill's top, you'll find Eldon Hole. This is a very deep natural pit in the ground. It goes down 55 meters (180 feet), making it the deepest pothole in the area.
In 1636, a famous thinker named Thomas Hobbes named Eldon Hole as one of the Seven Wonders of the Peak. Local stories say that it was once thought to be the home of the Devil!
Ancient History and Mines
Near the top of Eldon Hill, there's an ancient burial mound. This mound is called a Bronze Age tumulus. It measures about 16 by 15 meters (52 by 49 feet) and is 1.5 meters (5 feet) high. This tumulus is a protected historical site. It has been dug up several times, and people have found human skeletons and old jewelry there.
The hill is also covered with many old lead mines. These mines are no longer used. Many of them have been sealed off to keep people safe.
Exploring Eldon Hill
You can climb Eldon Hill from two different villages. One way is from Peak Forest to the south. The other is from Castleton to the north.
The path from Castleton goes up through a valley called Cave Dale. You can return by going down Winnats Pass. This makes for a very interesting walk. The path from Peak Forest is shorter and will take you past Eldon Hole.
The very top of Eldon Hill is only about 100 meters (330 feet) from the edge of the old quarry. From the summit, you can enjoy great views. You can see other famous spots like Mam Tor, Axe Edge Moor, and the town of Buxton.
