Welcome to Overlea Cottages
Overlea is situated in Birch Vale, a village in the High Peak district of Derbyshire. It is conveniently located on the boundary of the Peak District National Park, between New Mills and Hayfield.
Overlea has a lengthy and interesting past. Following removal of the deer from the royal forest and relaxation of the forest law in the seventeenth century, a division was made between crown and commoners. The building of farms together with new tracks and roads marked the beginning of a period of prosperity with much rebuilding of farms and the opening of many coal mines.
Overlea was built in the 1600s and is the oldest farm in the valley. Although the national census first started in 1801 only limited records remain. In 1841 the farm had 42 acres of land. Today Overlea has a mere 14 acres of farmland attached to it.
Over the years the spelling of Overlea has changed slightly, along with Oven Hill which is the road used to gain access to the farm. On old maps Overlea was spelt Overlee and Oven Hill road was Over Hill road.
Overlea nestles in a comfortable dip in the valley, conveniently sheltered from the wind. The original spelling of ‘Overlee’ refers to this – ‘lee’ referring to side which is sheltered from the wind.
The bridleway which runs parallel to Overlea was built to allow the coal mines to transport the coal up the valley. However, in the latter half of the 19th century, the coming of the railways largely spelt the end for local coal production. Superior quality coal was easily imported into the area from Yorkshire and Lancashire coalfields. Local mines were unable to compete and began to close. The brideleway can still be used today.
