Old Map of Derbyshire in 1611 by John Speed - Derby, Chesterfield, Buxton

Drawn by John Speed and engraved by Jodocus Hondius for the 1611 edition of The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, this hand-coloured map records the ancient county of Derbyshire at the start of the seventeenth century. Derby, shown with a detailed engraving in the lower corner of the sheet, is marked as the county town, while the surrounding landscape stretches north towards what is now the Peak District, then known simply as Peake Forest. The map's decorative border, cartouche and coat of arms reflect the elegant style for which Speed's English county maps remain celebrated among collectors nearly four centuries later, combining careful surveying with genuine artistic craftsmanship.

Beyond Derby itself, the county Speed surveyed was already home to towns that remain familiar today, including Chesterfield, long known for the distinctive twisted spire of its parish church, the spa town of Buxton, and Bakewell, Matlock and Ashbourne further into the hills. The market towns of Wirksworth, Belper and Ilkeston appear alongside the rivers that shaped the county's later industry and farmland, most notably the Derwent and the Trent, both of which wind their way across the map. Much of what is now protected as the Peak District National Park is visible here in its earlier guise as forest and moorland, offering a fascinating glimpse of the landscape long before its later fame for walking, climbing and the scenic Dales drew visitors from across the country.

This handsome historic map makes a wonderful centrepiece for any home with ties to Derbyshire, whether displayed in a study, living room or hallway. It is a fitting Father's Day gift for a dad who loves walking in the Peak District, a considerate retirement present for someone finally free to explore Bakewell or Matlock at leisure, a festive Christmas gift for family scattered around Chesterfield or Buxton, or simply a lovely birthday surprise for anyone proud to call Derbyshire home. Its rich period detail rewards a closer look every time it catches the eye, offering a genuine sense of history to any room it hangs in.