Home of Flagg races - the small village of Flagg lies in a gentle bowl high on the limestone plateau of the White Peak, between Bakewell and Buxton.
The village of Flagg is best known for Flagg Races, held every year on Flagg Moor on Easter Tuesday, when thousands of spectators flock to the tiny village to enjoy the thrilling spectacle of thoroughbreds racing across open countryside and leaping over the network of drystone walls which surround the village.
Flagg Races is thought to be unique as a point-to-point course, in that it is the only one in the country still run over natural hunting country.
This traditional point-to-point meet could have disappeared altogether when Flagg Races became a casualty of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, but thankfully it returned in 2004 and has gone from strength to strength since then.
A brand new attraction at Flagg Races this year (2010) were two pony races, making their first ever appearance at Flagg, as organisers attempted to draw more younger people to the traditional meeting.
WHERE IS IT?
Five miles south of Buxton, just off the A515 Ashbourne road.
HISTORY
The name of Flagg comes from the Middle English and is thought to mean “a sod or turf,” so it is assumed that turf or peat cutting was once practiced here when peat was still found on the limestone plateau. Flagg is mentioned in the Domesday Book as “Flagun” and later as “Flagge” or “Flagh,” and the manor house, now known as Flagg Hall Farm, was occupied by John de Finnes at the time of the Domesday Book.
Mining and quarrying
There are considerable remains of lead mining activity in the area, including the site of the former Hubbadale Mine which yielded rich deposits of lead ore (galena) during the 18th century.
PLACES TO GO
The Parish Church
The Unitarian church built in 1838 is now leased to the Church of England, and there is also a Methodist chapel built a year later in 1839.
EVENTS
Flagg Races, held each year on Easter Tuesday, reflect the early days of horse racing, when riders rode from one point to another with no defined course.
The first point-to-point races were held on Flagg Moor in 1892 and apart from the war years and the Foot and Mouth emergency, they have been held there ever since. For many spectators, the big attraction at Flagg is the unique Hunt Members’ race, which starts in open country between the villages of Flagg and Pomeroy and finishes on the racecourse proper.
THINGS TO DO
Walking
A fine six-mile circular walk links Flagg with Chelmorton, visiting the Five Wells Neolithic chambered cairn above Taddington, the summit of Sough Top (1,437ft/438m) and the linear village of Taddington, returning back to Flagg via the former manor house of Flagg Hall Farm.
FOOD AND DRINK
The Edge Close Farm Tea Rooms at Flagg (01298 85144) is a fully-licensed family-run tea room serving homemade and freshly-cooked food using local produce, including all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, soup, jacket potatoes and cakes. http://www.edgeclosefarmtearooms.co.uk/
FLAGG ACCOMMODATION
Holiday accommodation is available in Flagg – see the full list of Flagg places to stay.
Taddington Barns is ideal for a large group - a choice of four 4 star cottages which can be booked together and sleeps up to 17 guests. Also dog friendly and comes with the added bonus of a swimming pool.
Flagg Holiday Cottages
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Information Centres
Bakewell TIC, The Old Market Hall, Bridge Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DS; Tel: 01629 816558; www.peakdistrict.gov.uk, open daily.
Buxton Tourist Information Centre, The Crescent, Buxton SK17 6BQ; 01298 25106; www.highpeak.gov.uk; open daily
Roly Smith
Editor, Let's Stay Peak District & Let's Stay UK
mail@rolysmith.com
May 2010
© 2010 - Let's Stay Peak District
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