Clattercotes Farm

The ancient Halls in Ashover parish were Edlestow, Eastwood (now in ruins), Gorse, Clattercoats, Overton, Stubbin-Edge and Old Hall. These have been occupied by many opulent families viz the Rollestons, Revesbys, Criches, Dakeynes, Babbingtons, Hunts, Wynfields, Hodgkinsons and the late Sir Joseph Banks, the Bournes, Gladwins and Milnesspelling. Sometime between then and now the spelling has changed to Clattercotes.

Derbyshire Wills: Hannah Mather (1868) was living at Clattercoates Ashover (Derbyshire Records Office)

Reference to Clattercoats Hall (1150) in Nottingham Castle archives. Unclear if that was on the same site or elsewhere. Clattercotes Ancient Woodland is marked on maps.

The name

The exact meaning of name Clattercotes is unknown but several references have been found as to a possible meaning:

1)    The most common suggestion being “cottage beside a clatter” (ie debris, loose stones; quarrying; loom noise)          

2)    Some connect it to the Burdock plant known in German as “ Klette”

3)    Bonsall: Postcards are catalogued as Clatterway but the writing on the cards says “Latterway” The census records (1850s) lists the Lane as Latterway, meaning later or new way. The postcard shows the intersection of the main road (later way) and an earlier minor track.

Clattercotes Farmhouse

This is a Grade II Listed 17th century farmhouse with 18th and 20th century extensions.

Around 1660 to 1700 a few quarries in the northern half of England produced window openings with a raised and moulded surround that were then in fashion. They can be seen not only in superior houses but also in modest homes. In North Derbyshire, quarries at Clattercotes in Ashover Parish must have produced them. On the flanks of the Pennines hundreds of dated houses of this period provide the best superficial evidence for a great re-building.

There was a Stone Mill on Dark Lane, Woolley.

The Heritage Walk turns right off White Carr Lane and follows the path to the right of the house and on past a series of outbuildings. Of particular note is the little gem of a building with ecclesiastical features and old stonework, situated to the right of the path. This stonework was reputedly acquired long ago from the derelict Trinity Chapel.  Visual evidence could suggest that this stonework pre-dates the existing ruins of Trinity Chapel - by implication this could mean that in fact it came from an earlier building.  The present chapel ruins are known to date from the early 1500s (before the reformation) when they replaced an earlier chapel that had been on the site.

Clattercotes Woods comprise ancient semi-natural oak woodland originally belonging to 12th century Clattercotes Hall. They are rich in wildlife including five species of bat and at least sixteen species of moth.

 Where next?

Follow the footpath sign, turning into Clattercotes Farm. Continue right, between the farmhouse and an outbuilding, on a broad track. Follow the path over two stiles. After the second, follow the wooden fence to your right. Go over a further stile into a field and continue straight ahead crossing two fields. Follow the path, heading slightly right between two trees. Cross a double stile and head for the left corner of a small copse of trees. Just before the trees take a squeeze stile through the hedge on your left and follow the path across the field. Continue over a stile through the next hedge and follow the path straight across the field until you reach the boundary. Turn left and after 20 yards take a stile to your right into a bridle track. Turn right and follow the track until you reach a metal gate. Pass through the gate and you will find QR plaque 7 on a signpost to your left.