J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

With the page turned vertically, there are three sketches here, the upper two being divided by a horizontal pencil line. At the top are buildings in a rocky valley, labelled ‘Ashford Mill’. This is presumably Ashford in the Water, on the River Wye just west of Bakewell (see under folio 30 verso; D22205) and down the valley from Buxton (for which see under the verso, D22246); there were mills at both ends of the village, including one working black marble to the west and a corn mill to the east.1 Later tree growth has softened the profiles of the hills, and the viewpoint is uncertain.

The form of the hill in the middle sketch suggests another Peak District location, as yet unidentified; in may be near either of the other sites recorded here. The word below it to the right may be associated with it or with the second word below, which appears to be joined by a line to the third sketch, which shows an isolated detail of a ruin; Ian Warrell’s suggestion of Peveril Castle as the subject2 is correct, and the keep is seen in isolation from the south. For other views of the castle, Castleton and Peak Cavern, see under folio 1 verso (D22152).