Overview of Mayfield

Mayfield is a village on the outskirts of Ashbourne in Derbyshire, and about 9 miles from Uttoxeter, situated in East Staffordshire. The village is divided into Church Mayfield, Upper Mayfield and Middle Mayfield. It has a population of approximately 2000. It lies on the banks of the River Dove. The village lies on the borders of the Peak District National Park. Mayfield was mentioned in the Domesday Book, in which it was called 'Mavreveldt'. The name is possibly derived from the Old English for 'open land growing with madder' or perhaps, 'assembly open land'. It was the scene of a siege during the retreat of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who terrorised the local villagers, who took refuge in St John's church. The church still stands to this day, and several bullet holes reputedly from weapons fired during the siege can still be seen in some of the woodwork. The church is originally Norman and dates from 1125, added to and rebuilt over the centuries. Mayfield is also the site of textile production. The village has a Church of England primary school called Henry Prince First School. It opened in the 1860s; in 2005 a nursery was added.