[4] There are two hamlets within the parish: Outside of these, Highlow is predominantly an agricultural and rural area, with very few scattered farms and occasional residential dwellings.

[5] Limestone, gritstone and lead feature in the geology of the wider area, which lies on millstone grit from the carboniferous era, rising through mudstones, shales, sandstones and grits which have formed soils that are mainly coarse loams with peaty gleysols near springs on the sandstone/shale layers.

[6] There are tumuli and cairns in the north western area of the parish, which are ancient burial tombsites dating to the Bronze Age.

[8] An ancient route ran from Highlow known as the ‘corpse path’, possibly because of its use to transport coffins to the churchyard at Hathersage church.

[14] Leadmill Bridge over the River Derwent dates from the late 18th century where it replaced a ford,[15] and was widened in 1928.

Robert le Eyre was hereditary warden of the Royal Forest of the Peak administered from Peveril Castle in Castleton, during Edward III's reign, Robert’s grandson, William le Eyre de Hope was forest warden.

By the beginning of the 15th century Highlow Hall became the seat of a branch of the Eyre family,[18] them having arrived in the country during the Norman Conquest, and by the time of Edward I had settled at the village of Hope.

The then resident tenants, the Wain family, bought Highlow Hall and remain present owners.

The long distance Peak District walking route Derwent Valley Heritage Way follows the north east parish boundary.

Bretton Clough is characterised by deep basin peats occurring within pockets of the landslip formations of its valley slopes.