If you were unaware of Eyam’s history, you’d be forgiven for passing through this pretty hamlet and observing it as sharing similar characteristics to any number of gorgeously picturesque rural villages in this stunning area of the Peak District.
Of course, Eyam is far from a normal village.
Eyam (pronounced eem) is often referred to as the ‘Plague Village’ after infected materials from London were delivered to the village tailor, Alexander Hadfield, in the summer of 1665 and infections quickly spread.
Under the guidance of Rev. William Mompesson, the villagers agreed to quarantine themselves to prevent the spread beyond the village boundary in a stunning act of bravery and selflessness.
The plague would result in the death of 260 of the village’s 800 inhabitants. Some descendants of the survivors still live in Eyam to this day.
The Courtyard at Eyam Hall Photo: Gary Wallis The nursery rhyme Ring-a-ring-of-roses is inspired by Eyam. The ‘ring’ represents the mark on the cheek those who caught the plague invariably got, while ‘Atishoo, Atishoo, we fall down’ refers to the death of those who caught it.
Today, there are plenty of nods to the village’s past and the heroic actions of its inhabitants – not least in the form of Eyam Museum.
However, this is a thriving modern-day community in its own right.
Much of Eyam’s activity occurs on its main street, Church Street and here you will find Church Street Stores, while Eyam Country Stores stocks fresh fruit, veg, milk, eggs, bread, as well as fruit and veg box deliveries.
The village has regular bus links to Chesterfield, Sheffield, Bakewell and Buxton and community initiatives and support include: Doctors Surgery; Fun Swim for Eyam Children; Eyam Book Club; Post Office; Brownies and Guides; Village School; and Community Transport.
Eyam is a village which has a momentous past and a thriving present.
According to Rightmove, the UK’s largest online real estate property portal (rightmove.co.uk), properties in the Derbyshire Dales village of Eyam had an overall average price of £356,200 over the past 12 months.
The majority of sales in Eyam during the past year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £288,929.
Detached properties sold for an average of £437,025, with semi-detached properties fetching £430,000.
Overall, sold prices in Eyam over the past year were similar to the previous year and 24% down on the 2021 peak of £471,679.
In the past 12 months, 11 properties have been sold in Eyam, including five terraced properties, four detached properties and two semi-detached. Of the 11 properties, three fetched over £500,000, with an August 2024 purchase of a semi-detached property commanded the highest sale (£625,000).
At the time of writing, there are currently four properties available for purchase in the village, which can be viewed at rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/Eyam.
The population of Eyam was recorded as 971 people in the most recent Census (2021) with an average age of 45.7 years. This population marks a very small increase on the 926 people recorded as living in Eyam in the 2001 Census.
We moved to Eyam 25 years ago, the third generation in the family to live here.
When we arrived, we had no idea how special the community would be. We never take for granted walking out the door, popping into the local shops, cafes and pubs, seeing friendly faces and having a chat. Eyam is friendly, welcoming and inclusive. I’m proud to call it home.
Our boys went to the local school where we were school governors and chaired PTFA. I organised the village show for ten years and now organise the annual Eyam Makers Christmas Market.
For a small place, there’s a lot going on – a half marathon, well dressings, village show, carnival, bonfire spectacular, Santa’s Grotto and panto too. All are charity events organised and supported by volunteers working together from the community.
Twelve years ago, we started our Thehuteyam shepherds hut glamping business, sharing our little corner of the Peak with guests. Our aim is to showcase our historic village, promote local business and encourage guests to slow down, switch off, disconnect with the outside world and reconnect with each other.
Our guests return again and again, proving Eyam really does have a magic all of its own.
Rachel Smith, thehuteyam.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW
Evidently not all Eyam’s locals were always as compliant and well-meaning as those who quarantined in the 1660s. The village still retains its original wooden stocks outside Eyam Hall, on Church Street, which have been Grade II listed since 1984. The stocks were last used in the late 19th century in the UK and were a form of public humiliation for those who had been up to no good.
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