Ellastone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ellastone, a linear village in central England, is situated close to the River Dove, on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. During WW2, the bridge over the river was an important crossing point, guarded by two pill-boxes, one on each bank. Both are still visible today, however the box on the western side of the bridge is harder to spot as it is currently serving as a shelter for the cows, but camouflage paint is still visible above the entrance.
The river marks the boundary between the two counties and, although it lies on the Staffordshire side of the border, Ellastone has a Derbyshire postal address because Ashbourne, the nearest postal town, is in Derbyshire. The village, despite being on the busy B5032, misses out on the majority of the traffic for the often crowded Alton Towers theme park, which leaves the road just to the south at the JCB World HQ in Rocester. Due to this, Ellastone residents unfortunately do not receive free Alton Towers tickets despite its proximity to the attraction.
The village itself dates back to Anglo Saxon times and features in the Domesday Book, where it is listed as Edelachestone, Elachestone and Princestone (after the great Prince James who fought in the battle of Ashbourne (1066) against the marauding Bainbridge hoardes of the Northern territories.) The local church of St. Peter's dates back to the sixteenth century with the year 1586 displayed on the tower. Ellastone Old Hall, formerly the Bromley Arms pub, dates from the seventeenth century and is situated close to the current pub, the Duncombe Arms. There used to be a petrol station in the village and its presence can be noted through the unusual drives of the two bungalows closest to the pub, which very much resemble the entry/exits of a petrol station forecourt.
Ellastone was served by a railway station (shared with Norbury) which was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway on May 31, 1852.
For a small village, Ellastone's amenities are more than adequate; despite the closure of the village shop and post office on April 15th 2006. On Church Lane there is a tennis court, bowling green, park and snooker club. In addition there is the village hall which played host to a five a side football tournament (won by a team of local sixth-form students) and party in celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Ellastone features as 'Hayslope' in George Eliot's Adam Bede, published in 1859. It earned this recognition because the author's father spent the early part of his life in the village working as a carpenter. There is an Adam Bede cottage in the village but of course the attribution is fictional.
The ruined Calwich Abbey is also situated nearby. An abbey was first built on the site in 1148, however the latest hall, built in 1848, was demolished in 1935, leaving only the stable block which is visible today. The composer Handel was one of the abbey's guests on several occasions and it has been suggested that it may have inspired some of his most important pieces such as Messiah and the Water Music.
One of the village cottages was onced owned by William Cecil, the influential politician and confident of Elizabeth I.
The village also lies near the southern end of the Limestone Way.
Nearby is Wootton Hall, now rebuilt as the residence of the Hon. Johnny Greenall (brewing family), but formerly visited by the French philosopher Rousseau. Also in the area is Wootton Lodge, a 16th century house with deer park, owned by the Bamford family (JCB).
As mentioned above, Ellastone lies on the River Dove and is a hive of fluvial activity. Two small brooks (Sandford Brook and Tit Brook) flow directly into the River Dove. Additionally there is a natural spring, still officially known as Bentley Well which flows into the Tit and sits on former farmland which is now occupied by a new development, Bentley Fold.
