Quaint Derbyshire village with outdoor pool named one of the best places to live by Muddy Stilettos
This extraordinary village - with open air pool, iconic views and unbelievable literary connections - is just 60 minutes from Derby.
If you’re craving a change of pace from Derby’s buzz, the pretty village of Hathersage could be calling your name. Recently named one of Muddy Stilettos’ top places to live in Derbyshire, this Hope Valley gem proves you don’t need a huge population to deliver big on charm.
With fewer than 2,000 residents, it offers jaw-dropping scenery, rich history and one of the quirkiest claims to fame of all: a heated outdoor swimming pool.
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Yes, you read that right. While most villages its size boast little more than a pub and a post office, Hathersage has a 100ft open-air pool, dating back to the 1930s.
Originally gifted to the village by philanthropist George Lawrence, it’s still going strong today - steamy water, stunning views of Stanage Edge, and the bragging rights of being one of the last pools of its kind in the country.
Read more: I visit one of Derbyshire’s best places to live named by Muddy Stilettos - I could happily move there tomorrow
But Hathersage isn’t just about the pool. It’s a place that feels like it’s stepped out of the pages of a novel — quite literally.
Charlotte Brontë visited nearby North Lees Hall in 1845, and it became the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre.
Add to that the legend of Robin Hood, with his loyal lieutenant Little John said to be buried in the churchyard of St Michael’s, and you’ve got a village woven with stories.
Modern life ticks along too. There’s a handful of independent shops, inviting pubs, great restaurants and even the David Mellor Design Museum - celebrating the cutlery designer who also, quite impressively, gave us the modern traffic light.
Come autumn, Hathersage turns into a show-stopper.
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The gritstone cliffs of Stanage Edge glow in golden light, the Hope Valley becomes a patchwork of russet and copper, and morning mists settle across the hills.
It’s the perfect backdrop for long walks, Sunday lunches and maybe even a cheeky dip in that famous pool.
So whether you’re after a day trip from Derby or thinking about a bigger move, Hathersage isn’t just easy on the eye — it’s officially one of the best places to live.