Disley, lying on the fringe of the Peak District National Park between Stockport and Buxton traces its origins back almost 1,000 years and started right on our doorstop at Disley Hall.

The first reference to it is 1288 but there is little doubt that it had already been standing for some time and there may well have been another building there previously.  This would have housed the local Leader, his family, servants and cattle on the ground floor with barns and store places up above  Other small cotts (cottages) and outbuildings were in an oval of what is today Corks, Greenshall and Ward Lanes and a small part of Buxton Old Road.

The name Seven Springs indicates the importance of the area with its plentiful supply of spring water.  The first reference to our own cottage was made in the Court Rolls of the 14th Century, being called Coxx in Dyssterley and passing into the possession of William Jodrell and remained a farmstead into the 20th Century.

By Deed of Gift, the Seven Springs Camp of over 30 acres was vested to Trustees to be used for holiday camps for poor children.  In 1958 the site was transferred to the County of Manchester Girl Guides Association, to provide camping and outdoor facilities for members of the Association from Manchester and beyond.  We have also welcomed school and special needs groups and members of other organisations.

A booklet entitled "Disley - Ancient and Modern" by Susan Marshall may be borrowed from the Cottage.

A book “Our first 50 years – a brief history of Seven Springs” by Ann Phillips is available to buy from the Seven Springs shop or by contacting the Girlguiding Manchester office.