Hundreds of villagers died (Image: PA)
Tucked away in the Derbyshire countryside lies a charming village, steeped in history as a destination visitors call a true « hidden gem » – but it conceals a much darker history.
While the entire nation was gripped by chaos during the spread of the lethal Great Plague in the 1600s, the residents of Eyam chose to take a stand and buck the trend. P
eople were abandoning their homes across Britain, frantically trying to escape infection but when it reached Eyam in August 1665, those living there opted to do the complete reverse and remained firmly in place.
It’s believed that the disease arrived in the village through a bundle of cloths, which had been transported from London to a local tailor. The tailor’s assistant perished just days after hanging the damp cloth out to dry, and the disease rapidly swept through the village.
Together, residents agreed to participate in a voluntary quarantine, as they believed fleeing would only spread the plague more widely across the region. The regulations were stringent and nobody could leave the village and nobody could enter it – which lasted for a gruelling 14 months.
Nevertheless, the village suffered a devastating loss of an estimated 260 lives, obliterating a substantial proportion of its population. It’s thought that one resident heartbreakingly had to bury six of her children and her husband within the space of merely eight days.
Villagers went into a self-imposed isolation to prevent the infection spreading (Image: PA)
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Visitors today can discover the village’s importance during this dark period at Eyam Museum, which serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the area. There are several places across the village share poignant tales connected to the plague and its devastating impact.
A recent guest described the destination as a « hidden gem ». Another wrote on TripAdvisor: « Really enjoyed our visit to the Eyam Museum. Staff were welcoming and friendly.
« Lots to see within the museum despite it being quite small; a good variation of visual displays about the Plague and also the history of the residents of Eyam. We’d certainly recommend a visit. »
Meanwhile, one person shared: « This museum was really interesting- much better than expected from a small museum! The history is fascinating and very well laid out – they manage to bring it to life by the stories of the individuals and families who both survived and died. »
‘Plague village’ where lovers met at boundary of lockdown to avoid Black Death (Image: Getty Images)
The village is also home to Eyam Hall and Courtyard, a 17th-century manor house featuring magnificent gardens alongside shopping and dining opportunities at Bloom Bar and Grill.
Following their visit, someone said: « A beautiful venue for a wedding! Such a gorgeous, peaceful village with stunning surroundings and grounds. This made for an incredibly memorable evening. »
Following a visit to the café on the premises, another visitor said: « We dropped into Bloom looking for a light lunch. We settled for a coffee and a Margarita pizza, which definitely exceeded expectations – my friend said it was the best pizza she had ever tasted. Service was attentive, and the ambiance was calm and peaceful. »
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