Hayfield

The first written record of Hayfield is to be found in the Doomsday Book when it was called 'Hedfeld' and was a natural clearing in the vast forest at the foot of the Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District (2088ft) and the southern most point of the Pennine Chain. Hayfield became a mill village from the 17th century onwards and is famous as the birth place and childhood home of Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring in Classic 'Dad's Army') whose home is marked by a blue plaque; home of Pat Phoneix (Elsie Tanner in Cornation Street); and home of Tony Warren who created the series Coronation Street reputedly inside the Lantern Pike Inn in Little Hayfield). In addition, the Mass Trespass of Kinder in 1932 started in the village. This mass trespass and the treatment of the walkers who wanted access to the Countyside was a key incident in the movement to open up the countryside for walkers and lead directly to the establishment of National Parks. Today, the village is a popular destination for walkers, day and staying visitors to the Peak District. The village is renowned for its high quality gourmet public houses (which also offer accommodation), self catering rural accommodation, quality camp site and has a range of shops including chemist, post office, hairdressers, grocers, greengrocers, as well as a popular art gallery and gift shop. Hayfield is renowned for its annual Country Show and Sheepdog trials held each September and also has a popular well dressing and annual carnival.


The Sett Valley Trail is a flat 2 mile greenway route for cyclists, horseriders and walkers which links Hayfield to New Mills.