[2] One report describes the area in the early 1700s as: "it straggled across towards the river Derwent in front of Chatsworth, skirting the hill opposite the village known as 'The Crobbs'.

"[3] In 1762 the 4th Duke of Devonshire of Chatsworth House arranged for the demolition of several buildings because they intruded on his view of the parkland that had been created by Capability Brown.

A new village was constructed in a project managed by Sir Joseph Paxton; the earlier vicarage and an existing 18th-century inn were moved to the new site.

[4][5][6] A report published in 1870 stated that the village was "a pretty place of villa-cottages" and had a post office and an inn, as well as 123 houses".

Sir Joseph Paxton (d. 1865) is buried in St Peter's churchyard,[10] as are most Dukes of Devonshire and their families.

A 2020 report states that the current church with its 166-foot-high (51 m) spire, designed by George Gilbert Scott, was not built until about 25 years after the village was completed.