In 1805, Castleton was described as one 'of the most healthful and interesting villages in the kingdom; its fertility so much surpasses the neighbourhood, its produce of every necessity of life so abundant, and its air so pure and wholesome that it may truly be called the Garden of the Peak'. However, some villagers lived in Peak Cavern with byres and stables on which the sun never shone and doubtless many lead miners and weavers lived a very hard and dangerous life. Today, Castleton is a thriving village visited by thousands of tourists each year with attractions such as the caverns, mines and the Castle providing a living for many. Castleton originated as a Norman settlement built on an earlier, Anglo- Saxon site. Dr Liam Clarke is a retired educationalist and has written a number of academic books and papers. He has been a member and Trustee of the Castleton Historical Society for many years.