Home > Derbyshire > Biggin By Hartington > High Peak Harriers High Peak Harriers

The High Peak Harriers’ was initially called ‘High Peak House’. First indicated on an Ordnance Survey map of the area in 1841, it became well supported by nobility and gentlemen of the time and their association with the ‘hunting’ fraternity of around 1881. Becoming known as ‘The High Peak’ it had a relatively short life for a public house even though ‘The High Peak Hunt’ met there at least once per week and on occasion twice weekly either on Wednesday or Saturday. ‘Boxing Day’ meet and ‘New Year’s Day’ meet being the highlight of the season. Locals can remember the riders, horses and hounds gathering half an hour before departure. It was at this time that the ‘stirrup-cup’ (or ‘parting-cup’) was given to guests as they were leaving and had their feet in the stirrups (the term described the ‘cup’ that the drink was served in). Port, Sherry or Mulled-wine was the traditional drink served often accompanied by a light snack. Hunting country lies between Bakewell, Buxton and Ashbourne in the Peak District. It is predominantly ‘stone-wall and grass country’ with old turf generally more than 1000 feet above sea level. The High Peak Hunt was established in 1848 by Mr. Thornhill of Stanton-in-the-Peak. The pack was been bred entirely on ‘stud-book harriers’ and feature predominantly at ‘The Great Yorkshire Show’, Honiton. ‘Hills Cromford Brewery Company Limited’ was listed as being the brewery supplying the inn. It was founded in c1825 at the “Greyhound” (or Black Greyhound”), Market Place, Cromford. Developed by the Higgott family it was an extension of their ‘maltings’ operations and Matthew Hill delivered, via Shire Horse and dray, to outlying taverns within the area including ‘Duke of York’, Elton; ‘Jug & Glass’ along with nine other local Inns; all of whom were also associated with the hunting fraternity. Activities were recorded until 1886 when the brewery was acquired by Offillers’ Brewery Limited in 1914 and was closed in 1966. Almost directly in front of the High Peak Harriers was nestled Woodbine Cottage. It was the home of many and in the early 1950’s Mr. Isaac Sherratt and his wife were in residence. The 1st Carnival in Biggin was on 31st August, 1935 and it was here that the ‘Float’ was decorated prior to the procession throughout the village. Over the years Isaac and his wife made many thousands of paper roses on the run-up to the event and all vehicles involved throughout the day would be decorated here at The High Peak. For many years of its life the High Peak Harriers had an ‘Offiller’s Nut Brown Ales’ (painted) sign emblazoned along the upper frontage of the property. But during alterations being made during the late 1950’s to living/office accommodation by the new owner, Derrick Barlow, part of the sign became obliterated by a window. It became a topic of conversation for the duration of its life before being removed totally during more recent lengthy renovations. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s ‘The Marques of Hartington’, the then Duke of Devonshire, was a frequent visitor to the village of Biggin. He would often call in the ‘High Peak Harriers’ either as part of a hunting party or as a member of a particular parliamentary representative. On one occasion he was pictured taking ale and cheese with his campaign manager having a discussion with the then landlord. Lord Hartington became a Member of Parliament in his early 20’s and rose to be Financial Secretary to the Treasury until Balfour lost election in 1905. He was succeeded by the 9th Duke of Devonshire in 1908. Little is known of licensees of The High Peak, but William and Hannah Webster were there in the 1940’s. They were the Grand-parents of Derrick Barlow who eventually became owner of the site. Having lost his wife Hannah, William remained until his death on 7.1.51 aged 72. The last landlord, Reg Currington took over. Reg was not in residence long, in the summer of 1954 he took over the tenancy ‘The Waterloo Inn’. Thereafter ‘The High Peak’ closed its doors to trade before becoming a haulage depot of the firm Barlow & Hodkinson. It is now in residential use.

Source: Leon Goodwin

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on Make email contact with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub by adding your details to this page.