Alport is a Derbyshire delight, with grey limestone houses in gay gardens, and a mill by the bridge where stream runs into stream and dale meets dale.
We may come to it along the dale that bears its name, the river flowing with many little waterfalls over a rocky bed, and the road fair with flowers; or we may come from Youlgreave, glorying in the sight of two of Derbyshire's loveliest valleys drawing closer to each other until their waters, the Lathkill River and the Bradford River, meet at the foot of the hill.
The Bradford River made a stir last century by disappearing and running six miles underground and into the Derwent at Darley Dale instead of joining the Lathkill at Alport as usual. It seems that heavy floods and disused mines were responsible for its adventure. It later found its way home again.
On a slope of Priest's Hill, a mile away to the south, is a farmhouse with a gable of Old Harthill Hall, the home of Edmund Cokayne, whose figure lies with his father's in such a noble setting in Ashbourne church. It was probably from the old house that he rode out to fight at Shrewsbury against Hotspur. He was knighted on the field and died that morning, a knight for an hour. In the fine view from the old Hall across the valley, a queer mass of rock called Tuppenny Loaf stands out conspicuously.
