The magnificent sundial, on the Church of St. Lawrence in
Eyam dates from 1775, though the church itself dates from the thirteenth century. It shows the time, signs of the zodiac and the latitude of Eyam, plus various cities from Calcutta to Mexico with their time difference from Britain. At the top is a latin inscription "Induce Animum, Sapientem" meaning, ‘Take to thyself a wise mind’. Another Latin motto on the dial's stone supports reads, "Ut umbra sic vita", which translates "As the shadow passes, so does life".

Eyam village is famous for the self sacrifice of the inhabitants, during the great plague of 1665-1666.