Chapel-en-le-Frith lies on higher ground in the north-west of the Derbyshire Peak District. The Old Town includes cobbled streets such as Church Brow; other notable places include the Market Place and the Church of St Thomas Becket. During your stay, you can focus on the historic buildings and local trails, while circular walks and leisure facilities offer other options. The town’s founding chapel was built on a spur of land below Eccles Pike, in a wide valley sheltered by the long, high ridge of Combs Moss.
Old Town and historic buildings
The Old Town area lies on rising ground behind the row of buildings along the main street. The Market Place is also higher than street level; these changes in elevation shape how you find your way around the town. On the south side of the Market Place stands the Market Cross, a well-preserved sandstone cross dating from the late Middle Ages or early modern period. It appears to still be in its original location.
The Church of St Thomas Becket dates from the early 14th century and was remodelled in 1733. It replaced a chapel built by the Foresters of Peak Forest and dedicated to St Thomas Becket; the chapel was granted in 1225. Immediately west of the church stands an Anglo-Scandinavian high cross dating from the late 9th or 10th century. Its stylistic changes are associated with Viking settlement. The church, chapel and cross thus trace different periods in the town’s history, without reducing their dates of construction to a single era.
A group of old inns on the edge of the Market Place recalls the town’s former role as a stop on stagecoach routes. The Chapel-en-le-Frith war memorial was erected in 1919. It commemorates men from the parish who served in the First World War.
Walking trails with different focuses
The free Old Town Trail is a self-guided circular walk through the historic centre. It starts at the car park on Thornbrook Road. Check before travelling whether the trail leaflet is available. This will help you choose between a circular walk exploring local history and a route with a stated distance when planning your visit.
The Combs Moss Audio Trail is also a circular walk and starts at Chapel-en-le-Frith railway station. It is up to eight miles long. This gives you a specific maximum distance to plan for; no walking time is specified. If you are planning a longer walk, you can take this maximum length into account, while the Old Town Trail focuses on the historic town centre.
Leisure facilities in town
Memorial Park has a grass area for ball games, skateboard and BMX ramps, a multi-use sports area, a bowling green and a children’s playground. Facilities may change. Chapel-en-le-Frith Leisure Centre has saunas, steam rooms, indoor and outdoor areas, and a fully equipped gym. Check the facilities and day-pass options before visiting.
Golf is another option: Chapel-en-le-Frith’s 18-hole golf course welcomes visitors to play. Find out about booking arrangements in advance. This activity adds a different way to spend time at your destination alongside the local trails, without prescribing a particular itinerary for your stay.
Plan your journey and dates
Chapel-en-le-Frith railway station is served by trains from Manchester and Buxton on most days. As services may change, check the timetable for your travel date. The station is also the starting point for the Combs Moss Audio Trail.
Chapel-en-le-Frith celebrates a Well Dressing Festival in early July; exact dates may vary. If the festival matters to your trip, check the dates against your planned stay in advance. Along with the walking trails and historic buildings, it offers another reason to time your visit around a particular interest.
Discover more destinations: Eyam, Barlborough, Long Eaton, Newton Solney, Coton In The Elms, Wirksworth, Whatstandwell, Pilsley.
Go to the main travel overview: Derbyshire.
