A Postcard from Lovers’ Leap – Pride, Prejudice and the Picturesque, the story of a Peak District Legend
Abstract
Although locations named Lover’s Leap dating back hundreds of years are to be found around the world, academic research investigating the origins and development of such sites; the myths, legends and hauntings associated with them; and the material culture they produce is relatively limited, especially for sites within the United Kingdom. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of one such site, Lover’s Leap in Ashwood Dale just south of Buxton, Derbyshire, exploring the complex interplay of folklore, superstition, legend, and landscape, alongside notions of the picturesque and sublime associated with this site. This mix of folklore, landscape and the sublime is shown to have been instrumental in the creation of a Peak District beauty spot which played a previously overlooked role in the establishment of Buxton as a tourist destination in the 18th century. For over 150 years, Lover’s Leap and the legend attached to this picturesque limestone gorge at whose entrance the precipice stands were praised by travel writers, described in florid terms by poets, and sketched, painted and photographed by artists, revealing the important role played by folklore in providing a slice of the sublime just a short walk from the centre of this Peak District town. Please note that 'Lover’s Leap’ and ‘Lovers Leap’ are used interchangeably throughout the source material, so Lover’s Leap will be used for consistency here.