The village of Hartington is situated amongst beautiful hills and dales, close to the River Dove in Beresford Dale which forms the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. It is in this spot that Charles Cotton built his Fishing House in 1674 and where he and Izaac Walton, author of 'The Complete Angler', used to meet and discuss their fishing.

There are numerous 18th century cottages in the village which is centred round the village pond and green. The church, dedicated to St. Giles, stands on high ground above the village and dates mainly from the 14th century.