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Coal and iron round about the Rother Valley have left Old Brampton its green hilltop, looking out to fields and wooded valley and the moors not far away. It is charming with fine trees, trim-walled roads, old houses, and a church of rust-coloured stone.
High above the road, the church is a delightful picture. The Norman chapel was made new in the 13th century, and one can see the actual meeting of the styles when Norman was passing into Early English, for the south doorway has a round arch and a pointed one.
The sturdy 13th century tower was altered a century later, when it was capped with the short broached spire.
The stone-roofed vaulted porch is also of the 14th century, as is most of the rest of the church, except for the many 15th century windows.
Note the great wooden cross of Lord Gorell, who was killed in Flanders in 1917, which has been brought from his grave.
The clock on the south side of the tower must surely be unique for it has 63 minutes marked upon it. Apparently many years ago, a craftsman employed to re-paint the clock face took a break at the local inn at midday. He returned some time later, rather inebriated, and with his concentration so badly affected that there are now seven divisions between the I and II, four between IV and V, six between VII and VIII, and six between X and XI.
Opposite the church is The Hall, a handsome whitewashed building dating from the 16th or 17th centuries with a 19th century porch. It has mullioned windows, two gables and a stone-tiled roof.
The narrow North Lane is an old bridge road leading to Linacre Wood, where there are three reservoirs which supply water to Chesterfield.
Linacre House, now demolished, was probably the birthplace of Thomas Linacre who founded the College of Physicians in 1518. He is commemorated by choir stalls in the parish church.
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