This map was published as the frontispiece to "Peak Scenery; or, The Derbyshire Tourist" by Ebenezer Rhodes, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green of Paternoster Row, London in 1824. The map was drawn by J. Leather, Land Surveyor, Sheffield and engraved by Sidney Hall, Bury Street, Bloomsbury. There were a series of drawings by F. Chantrey, R.A., Sculptor, engraved by W. B. & G. Cooke, which accompanied the book and could be bought separately.

In 1818 Ebenezer Rhodes, who lived at Sheffield, penned his dedication of the Quarto Edition of "Peak Scenery" to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire for the support he gave him to get started. Rhodes' book wasn't intended to be a topographical account of Derbyshire. He wrote that he had "selected his own plan, and he has chosen that which not only leaves him free and unshackled in his operations, but gives him uncontrolled dominion over every object that may be presented to his observation". He undertook four excursions in total and all four routes are shown on the above map.

Rhodes's first exploration was of North Derbyshire and included visits to Froggatt Edge, Stoney Middleton, Tideswell and Eyam.

He went to Buxton on his second visit to the county, going on to Miller's Dale, Wormhill, Cressbrook Dale, Monsall Dale and Bakewell. Whilst at Bakewell he visited Haddon, Edensor and Chatsworth.

The third excursion he undertook began at Banner Cross in Yorkshire and from there he went to Hathersage, Hope, Castleton and Glossop, to Marple Bridge and Mellor. He continued on to Hassop, Longstone, "Money-Ash", Winster, Stanton and Birchover before venturing to Matlock [Bath] and Willersley.

His final journey took in Norton, Whittington, Ashover, Crich and Cromford; he spent a morning at Matlock [Bath], from there going through the Via Gellia to Hopton, Carsington, Brassington and Tissington and on to Ashbourne. He walked to Dovedale and visited Ilam before re-tracing his steps to Wirksworth. He continued on, via Cromford, to Belper, Heage, Pentrich and Alfreton before visiting Hardwick Hall, Bolsover and Renishaw Hall.

He returned to Sheffield "where we terminated our long and laborious peregrinations". He may have begun his walking tours in 1818, but the date at the end of it all was September 1823. Although he had met a great number of interesting people along the way, and received a great deal of support from some individuals, including James Montgomery and Sir Francis Chantrey, he was undoubtedly disappointed that he did not enjoy a greater response to the many letters he wrote.

Please note that not everywhere he visited is listed here, just a selection. And, unfortunately, a previous owner of my book thought it would be a good idea to go over the lines of the routes with a coloured pen. This sadly wasn't an uncommon occurrence as old books were not necessarily valued by everyone who owned them.

A few of the places Rhodes visited:

Alport Mill - 3rd excursion. He visited Alport, though does not include it on his map.
Ashbourne Church (exterior) - 4th excursion.
Ashbourne Church (interior) - 4th excursion.
Birchover, Robin Hood's Stride - 3rd excursion
Chatsworth House (one of several pages) - 2nd excursion.
Chee Dale.
Crich Church & Mr. John Clay, Gentleman
Darley Dale, St. Helen's Church, Ancient Yew Tree.
Haddon Hall (2), which he visited on his second journey.
Haddon Hall (5), The Chapel
Hathersage, where he saw the remnants of a maiden's funeral garland (also see Funeral Garlands at Matlock Church).
Matlock Bath. He and Montgomery stayed at Varley's Hotel, later Hodgkinson's Hotel - 3rd and 4th excursions.
Matlock Bath : View of High Tor, by F. Chantrey - 3rd and 4th excursions
  Matlock Bath: Great Rutland Cavern, Old Oak Tree and Roman Staircase - 3rd and 4th excursions
Matlock Bath: From the Heights of Abraham to Crich Stand & Beyond - 3rd and 4th excursions
Miller's Dale is another hamlet that Rhodes wrote about by does not appear on the map - 3rd excursion.
Thorpe and Thorpe Cloud - 4th excursion.
Via Gellia.
In Via Gellia.
Wirksworth Church (exterior) - 4th excursion.
Wirksworth Church (interior) - 4th excursion.

Mr. Rhodes is mentioned in several places on the Matlock & Matlock Bath section of this web site. For speed, see Find A Name, Surnames R
There is a portrait of Ebenezer Rhodes on the Art UK web site.