Ilam

An attractive village in the Manifold Valley with a strange river occurrence is that the River Manifold joined by the River Hamps disappears underground near Beeston Tor in dry weather and reappears in the grounds of Ilam Hall. Dr Johnson experimented with a marked cork to prove that they were the same waters.

The remains of Throwley Hall and Thor’s Cave near Wetton Mill are interesting.

Apes Tor (NT) forming part of Ecton Hall is of geological interest.

The church has a fine sculpture by Chantrey, rare maidens’ garlands, carved Norman font, the 13th century Shrine of St Bertram and a tomb with an inscription by Charles Cotton. There are two fine Sxon crosses in the churchyard.