Eyam - Plague Village & Square

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Eyam Plague Village and The Square, with Explorers following the trail left by Douglas Deep, who left behind a notebook of clues and a scruffy map after being trusted with the villagers' hidden valuables during the 1665 plague, to recover Eyam's lost treasures before the Derbyshire Amateur Treasure Hunters get there first.

The quest covers 1.8 miles and should take 2+ hours to complete. You'll start at the roundhouse in the Pay and Display car park directly opposite Eyam Museum, head through historic village streets and lanes, investigate the churchyard, pass Eyam Hall car park and the main gates, then continue by the village green, stocks and on towards The Square.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes a few hills and dirt tracks, plus some quiet village roads without pavements and narrowish pathways. Appropriate footwear is recommended.

Take care on quiet village roads without pavements, narrowish pathways and while crossing the road to the museum building and other road sections.

Getting There

By car: Begin at the roundhouse in the Pay and Display car park directly opposite Eyam Museum (S32 5QP), using ///twisty.fault.interrupt. There is also a free car park on Hawkhill Road, opposite Eyam Museum (S32 5QP), using ///twisty.fault.interrupt, behind the Pay and Display car park. There are toilets here.

By public transport: Make your way to the roundhouse in the Pay and Display car park directly opposite Eyam Museum to begin the treasure hunt. The circular route returns to the start area once Douglas Deep's trail has been followed.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort-stop intel, Explorers: toilets are available at the start in the Pay and Display car park. The free car park on Hawkhill Road behind it also has toilets.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the quest. 🐾

The route includes quiet village roads without pavements, narrowish pathways, a few hills and dirt tracks, plus sections through the village centre and churchyard. Keep canine companions close around traffic, road crossings and narrower stretches, and expect adventurous paws if the tracks are muddy.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure-hunting through plague-village history calls for proper supplies.

Refreshments can be found after Clue 02 and near the last few clues. Eyam Tea Rooms, the Tea Shop and Village Green Café are also on the route. If you're packing your own provisions, an adventurous picnic is suggested up the hill behind the start point.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Eyam Museum

The museum is right next to the start point and is a worthwhile stop for extra local knowledge before or after the hunt. Check opening times before you go - Spring until early Winter, Tuesday to Sunday. Admission fees apply.

Eyam's Churchyard and Celtic Cross

The Trail enters the churchyard by the central main entrance, where Explorers will encounter the 8th century Celtic Cross and an ancient time piece. The route also passes a significant grave for Harry Bagshaw, Derbyshire cricketer and 1st Class Umpire.

Eyam Stocks

These ancient stocks once punished petty offenders - swearers, drunks and general village nuisances. Culprits were locked in by arms or legs and pelted with whatever was handy: stones, mud, even offal. They were restored in 1951 to mark the Festival of Britain.

Eyam Hall

The route passes Eyam Hall car park and the main gates, with clues nearby on plaques and signs. It's a key landmark on the route and a strong spot to pause for a closer look once you're not racing the Derbyshire Amateur Treasure Hunters to the valuables.

The Square and Village Centre

The hunt finishes in The Square after passing the village green, stocks and several historic village streets and lanes, including places such as Eyam Tea Rooms, The Miners Arms and the Village Green Café. It's worth slowing down here once the treasure trail is cracked and soaking up the village atmosphere properly.