Quaint but eerie village where most of the residents chose to perish

Nestled in the scenic in Derbyshire is the small village of Eyam - one of the most tragic places you're like to visit.

Pronounced 'Eem', the settlement holds a haunting yet fascinating history as England’s 'plague village'. Centuries before modern pandemics, Eyam's villagers quarantined themselves during the bubonic plague, choosing isolation to prevent the spread of infection to neighbouring communities after a bundle of flea-infested clothes brought the deadly disease into the village.

Villagers began to attend church services away from others in the local area in the Cucklet Delph - a naturally formed amphitheatre - and received supplies from merchants that were left on marked rocks, with villagers stashing money disinfected with vinegar as payment. The voluntary 14 month '' cost many lives, but also saved many and revealed remarkable resilience within the community. By the worst accounts, 260 people died in Eyam, while just over 80 survived.

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Some residents of the village exhibited natural immunity from the deadly disease, and descendants of this line still reside in the village today. Eyam currently charms visitors with its historic ambience and picturesque landscape. One such destination that captures the hearts of tourists is the Eyam Book Barn — a community shop in the courtyard at Eyam Hall selling second-hand books, and DVDs.

Yet for many, the true allure of the quaint village lies in its narrow lanes and fascinating architecture. The church, which is located in the centre of Eyam, dates back to Saxon times and was formerly a centre for lead mining. Many of the church's architectural features reference the Christian worship that has taken place there over the years.

The north aisle, for example, has a font of Saxon origins and there is a Norman window at the west end of the church. Arguably the most intriguing element of the church is the morbid Plague Register in the south aisle. The register gives the names of all the people who died during the fourteen months of the plague between 1665 and 1666. Around 260 people died in the village out of a population of 350.

Adjacent to the church, you will find Eyam Hall — a built six years after the plague in 1672. Home to the Wright family for 11 generations, visitors are allowed to enjoy the house and see the family portraits and multi-generational furniture within. The courtyard is also home to many catering outlets and shops, perfect for finding locally crafted gifts. Admission costs £12 per adult.

Behind the church lies a showcasing an array of work by various artists. Sculptures are all available for purchase from £35, and the garden is also home to a vegetable patch.

For a more through dive into the village's past, Eyam museum located towards the outskirts of the village shares its tales, the impact of the plague, wider social history and industrial heritage.

Eyam Tearooms, on the square, is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or to stay the night. The tea rooms are a popular café in the heart of the historic village for serving homemade cakes and other bakes. At the same location is also some accommodation if you wish to extend your stay in Eyam. There are three types of accommodation at the Coach House Cottage ands Annexe, sleeping between two and six people. Featuring roll-top baths, modern kitchens, free Wi-Fi, these holiday cottages have all you need.

If you fancy heading further afield than Eyam, the Peak District National Park is only a 15 minute drive away, offering a plethora of scenic walks with an abundance of wildlife to explore.