As spelt, the name is first recorded in 1732. Earlier recorded versions of the name are
Aidele (1086),
Heydale (1251),
Eydale (1275),
Eydal (1285) and
Edall (1550). Historically, Edale was the name of the valley of the
River Noe. From the
Norman Conquest of England it was in the royal
Forest of High Peak and at its centre is the Edale Cross, which marked the boundary of the three wards at the Forest, Campana, Hopedale and Longdendale. Settlement in the valley consists of several
booths, originally established in the 13th century as 'vaccaries' (cattle farms) along the valley of the River Noe, which have since developed into the hamlets of Upper Booth (once Crowdenley Booth and Over Booth), Barber Booth (once Whitmorely Booth), Grindsbrook Booth, Ollerbrook Booth and Nether Booth (also known as Lady Booth and, formerly, Lower Booth). The mill continued spinning cotton until around 1940 but then fell into disuse. It was restored in the early 1970s by the
Landmark Trust who have since sold off all of the apartments. ==Countryside==