Local Places named after Little John
It is not as if the grave of Little John, the size of the thigh bone, the bow, the armour and foresters cap are the only associations with Little John and Robin Hood in Hathersage and district.
The 'Hood Brook' runs past Hathersage Cricket pitch and through the village. Not far away on the Longshaw estate is 'Little John's well' (SK267794). On the other side of the valley on the waste of Abney moor is 'Robin Hood's Cross' (SK 182803) and on Offerton Moor 'Robin Hood's Stoop' (SK 217806) just behind Callow Farm. There is also 'Robin Hood Croft', an old sheep shelter and field between Ashopton viaduct and Lead Hill (SK197867) and 'Robin Hoods Moss' overlooking Derwent Dams (SK190930). All of these are within 5 miles of Hathersage and many of them in the ancient parish of Hathersage which included
Bamford and Derwent.
However, the most interesting is Robin Hood's Cave on Stanage Edge, overlooking Hathersage (SK245835). The cave will only be found by those who know exactly where to look. Hikers can pass within a few feet above and below it in hundreds every summer weekend and never know of its existence. The series of interconnecting caves and passages is very well concealed. They can be reached from the top and come out half way down the face of the cliff giving panoramic views for miles to the south and west. Pools of water can always be found nearby so that anyone in hiding could survive for long periods, and the formation of the caves means they could easily be defended by one man against a large number of attackers. In just such a place an outlaw might hide for months undetected, if the need arose.
The above was extracted from 'Let These Stones Live' by Martin F.H. Hulbert, with the kind permission of St. Michael and All Angels church, Hathersage.