The village of Hayfield in the Peak District National park, taken from a distance of the stunning autumn trees with St Matthews Church/Credit: Getty

Hayfield guide: pub, walks and the iconic Mass Trespass

These days, most people know Hayfield for its cosy pub – The Pack Horse. But did you know, this pretty Peak District village was also the site of one of the most famous protests in British history?

Roly Smith

Published: November 6, 2023 at 10:15 am

Hayfield, the neat little gritstone township in the western shadow of Kinder Scout in the Peak District, plays an historic role in rambling folklore. 

It was from here on April 24, 1932, at Bowden Bridge Quarry east of the village, that the famous Kinder Scout Mass Trespass set out to exercise the ramblers’ right to roam on the then-forbidden moorland. Five ramblers were later arrested and imprisoned for their part in the demonstration. A commemorative plaque was erected in 1982 to mark the 50th anniversary in the quarry – which ironically now serves as a car park for walkers.

Evening view of Peak District from Kinder Scout
Late evening view of Kinder Reservoir from Kinder Scout/Credit: Getty

Hayfield history

Hayfield was once an industrial centre, with wool, cotton, paper-making and textile printing mills using the fast-flowing waters of the Rivers Sett and Kinder. All these industries are long gone, but the fine Georgian parish church of St Matthew gives a hint of the former prosperity of this little Pennine township. The small square off Market Street is known as Dungeon Brow because the village lock-up was situated there. 

One of Hayfield’s most famous sons was the actor Arthur Lowe, Captain Mainwaring in BBC TV’s long-running comedy Dad’s Army. He was a member of the village cricket team, and regularly brought members of the cast to play the village team on the delightfully-situated village cricket ground on Kinder Road.

Hayfield pub

Enjoy a pint at The Pack Horse in the centre of the village, or some quality home-cooked food at the Rosie Lee café on Kinder Road. 

Hayfield walk

A popular walk from Hayfield is on the Snake Path up to the prominent Twenty Trees plantation, and outstanding views across the village and towards Kinder Scout.

Roly Smith

Outdoor writer & editor

Recently described as “one of Britain’s most knowledgeable countryside writers”, Roly Smith is a freelance writer and editor, and the award-winning author of over 90 books on walking and the British countryside. He is vice president and honorary life member of the Outdoor Writers’ and Photographers’ Guild, a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Roly enjoyed a 20-year career in daily paper journalism before he became Head of Information Services for the Peak District National Park, where he became widely known as ‘Mr Peak District’. His greatest passions are history, conservation and access to the countryside.
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