Ticknall Life, Derbyshire

This old photo of the original Dexter's Cottage was taken from the Limeyards immediately opposite the weighbridge office which is now part of the present Limeyards Stables and shows the main road servicing the Limeyards. The old village of Tichenhalle is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and probably existed from Anglo-Saxon times.

Since the neighbouring Calke Abbey changed its status in 1984 from long-standing private occupation by the Harpur-Crewe family to semi-public administration by the National Trust, much of the village has changed. The break-up of the former estate has meant the sale of cottages and building land, altering not only the charming higgledy-pigglediness of the architecture, but also the dilution of the former feudal relationship between the villagers and the somewhat reclusive lords of the manor. Visitors will readily pick out recent examples of new buildings and renovations - some an enhancement to the general scene, others less so.

Ticknall reached its hey-day in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the limeyards and the brickmaking, tile and pottery industries were operating to their maximum capacity. The population reached 1500, three times the present size of about 500.

A Fuller History

A more detailed history of Ticknall can be found here.

More information

For more information, the Ticknall Preservation and Historical Society, a voluntary non-profit-making group, have available many publications devoted to the economic and social history of the area. Most of these are usually available from the bookstall at the monthly meeting of the Society, usually held on the last Friday of each month in the Village Hall, or at local retail outlets. These booklets are also available for purchase by mail order.

Publications List and Order Form

For a full list and printable mail order form please use the DOCUMENTS link on the main menu. Please print and complete the form and send it with your UK cheque made payable to Ticknall Preservation and Historical Society to the address on the form.

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