2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Isobel Pankhurst, Sam Dimmer)
Ilam, a quaint village nestled in the Peak District, has been labelled as Britain's most 'eccentric' and appears to be straight out of a storybook. Located on the banks of the River Manifold in Staffordshire, Ilam had a population of just 402 in 2011. Its most iconic landmark is the Grade II listed neo-Gothic Ilam Hall, a grand house built in the 1820s, which was partly demolished in the 1920s.
Nowadays, Ilam Hall operates as a YHA youth hostel and the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust , with the gardens open for public viewing. The village gained its 'eccentric' tag due to its unique chalet-style cottages, which are more evocative of a picturesque Swiss village than a typical British town. Besides its distinctive architecture, Ilam is known for its eco-friendly policies.
It was the first community in the UK to phase out incandescent light bulbs, reducing the town's annual carbon emissions by four tonnes, reports the Express . While many buildings in Ilam were constructed in the last two centuries, the village has been a settlement since the Anglo-Saxon period, with parts of the church still dating back to this era. The church has undergone numerous renovations and restoration projects, but two stone cross shafts from the Anglo-Saxon period remain, along with a carved stone font.
The village is also home to the Grade II listed Mary Watts-Russell Memorial Cross, a tribute to the wife of Jesse Watts-Russell, who introduced the distinctive Swiss style to the village. Jesse took over the Ilam Hall estate in 1820 and commissioned the building of Swiss-style cottages and a new school, which he funded before education was made compulsory for all children. Despite its rich history and numerous landmarks , the village remains peaceful and doesn't draw large crowds of tourists , although it attracts just enough visitors to keep the local youth hostel running.
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