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Charming village with historic building 'on silts' and traditional pubs

Nestled in the countryside's hidden hills, the village is often overlooked by tourists but it's packed full of history with over 70 listed buildings

[An image depicts a historical stone building featuring an arched entrance and two adjacent structures, with a clear sky in the background.]

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The village sits in the Derbyshire Dales(Image: Derbyshire Live / Google Maps)

Nestled within the secluded hills of Derbyshire, encircled by limestone, lies a village brimming with heritage that frequently goes unnoticed by visitors to the region.

This Peak District settlement is best recognised for its remarkably steep main thoroughfare and striking abundance of structures that encircle it.

Winster is five miles from the bustling tourist hub of Matlock and six miles from Bakewell, renowned for the cherished delicacy and rambling routes.

Yet, those discovering these nearby towns and villages ought to contemplate pausing here during their journey and revealing its understated appeal.

Boasting over 70 listed structures, the charming village is committed to safeguarding its heritage and enabling guests to connect with the narratives they hold.

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Several of these significant architectural gems include Dower House, The Old Hall, St John the Baptist Church and various other now community-run venues.

Market House

Among the most recognisable structures that endures in Winster is the Old Market House, frequently described as being 'on stilts'.

The 16th-century building rises two storeys tall, perched upon an enormous stone foundation, giving it its distinctive stilt-like appearance.

[An image of a street featuring a row of buildings with yellow walls, some adorned with blue doors and window boxes. The road is empty, lined by a tree and a stone wall, under a clear blue sky.]

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There are over 70 listed buildings (Image: Let's Go Peak District)

Whilst initially the entire ground level was open, featuring five arches, these were ultimately blocked in sometime between 1795 and 1855.

A fascinating piece of history surrounding this building is that it became the very first property purchased by the National Trust in the Peak District. The transaction occurred in 1906 for a mere 50.

During its prime, the building served, as its name implies, as a venue for market stalls selling local produce, whilst the upper level was dedicated to dairy trading. It was a highly prized marketplace throughout this period for lead miners and merchants and gained recognition for its yearly cattle fairs.

Following a visit, one reviewer commented on TripAdvisor: "A lovely little market house. With some interesting things to read once inside. The village surrounding the market house is beautiful and idyllic."

[An image of a cobblestone street, flanked by historical buildings, with a parked utility vehicle in front. The buildings exhibit a blend of architectural styles, predominantly featuring stone facades. The sky overhead is overcast, contributing to a subdued atmosphere.]

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The village is close to a number of attractions (Image: Dave's Walks/YouTube)

Traditional pubs

Having wandered through the streets of the historic lead mining settlement, or whilst on your journey, there are several welcoming countryside pubs where you can pause for refreshment. Like any proper village, there's somewhere to enjoy a drink or tuck into some wholesome fare.

One such venue is The Miners Standard, which is believed to have been constructed around 1653. Whilst it originally functioned as a farmhouse, as the local lead mining operations expanded down the valley, inns and alehouses began appearing everywhere in a bid to cater for the working miners' requirements.

Based on the pub's website, it's believed that at one point the small village of Winster boasted over 37 establishments where beer could be purchased, with The Miners Standard amongst them. And it remains open serving beverages and meals to visitors throughout the day. A satisfied customer recently posted on TripAdvisor: "There aren't enough good things that I can say about this place. The food is absolutely amazing.

"The service always great and with a smile the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming great value for money and they always do their best to go above and beyond. Highly recommend this place for a stay or a bite to eat."

Another local spot is the Old Bowling Green, a 15th-century inn that also boasts grade II listed status. It's been under the same stewardship for many years, continuing to serve up locally brewed beer and classic pub fare.

One visitor said: "A lovely pub with friendly staff, who were particularly welcoming and kind to our dog. The food was simple but tasty and extremely good value. We had Bradfield beers on tap, which were delicious."

Winster is an ideal spot for history enthusiasts to explore, and if you find yourself with a few spare hours whilst trekking through the Peak District, it offers a delightful detour, tucked away within the National Park.

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