PEAK DISTRICT 16 Day Itinerary Itineraries for Independent Travel 1 PEAK DISTRICT

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PEAK DISTRICT 16 day itinerary itineraries for independent travel 1 PEAK DISTRICT

16 day itinerary

Published by itforit.com Butterworth Investments Limited Hazelwood House 658 Birmingham Road Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 0QD UK Telephone +44 (0)121 453 4400 email [email protected]

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First published 2003

This full edition was provided free of charge, after online publication had ceased.

Other titles in this series USA The Grand Circle (4rst published 2000) New England (4rst published 2000) Arizona & New Mexico (4rst published 2001) Geysers & Glaciers (4rst published 2002) Washington State (4rst published 2003) California (4rst published 2004) Pioneers & Mountains (4rst published 2007) UK Dartmoor (4rst published 2001) Exmoor (4rst published 2002) Snowdonia (4rst published 2004)

Cover image Hartington, with its 1200s church and school party

Contents

Page

Maps 4

itforit 5

General information 6

Lead Mining in the Peak District 14

Overnight summary 16

Day 1 17

Day 2 18

Day 3 24

Day 4 29

Day 5 38

Day 6 42

Day 7 47

Day 8 52

Day 9 58

Day 10 64

Day 11 68

Day 12 73

Day 13 75

Day 14 82

Day 15 87

Day 16 91

Many years of travelling, and thoroughly enjoying, the States and National Parks of the USA, and also National Parks in Britain, have provided a good insight into the essential features to see and things to do. There are so many books to read, and so much tourist information to absorb on arrival at each destination, that precious time can be lost in trying to discover the most advantageous points of interest. This itinerary sets out in clear bulleted lists just what to see and do.

There is no preoccupation with giving advice about the cheapest or best airline, car- hire company, restaurant, or hotel. You are free to choose any of these, without any reference to the itinerary. No inducements or enticements are taken from organisations trying to boost their pro4ts. This itinerary highlights facts and legends (where appropriate), to help you get the best out of your time.

This itinerary has been prepared with various assumptions, and attempts to provide a well-researched route, without the need to instruct travellers in the art of travelling. This means that there has been no attempt to give tiny details, such as how to read a map, or where to 4nd all speci4c places, unless the signposts are not clear enough. Many places are well signposted.

Many of the places in this itinerary can be visited at any time of the year. However, we have assumed that the itinerary will be taken by car during the normal tourist months, and so there will be no problems with any opening times of houses, museums, or hotels, etc. The walks suggested are suitable for the summer months, between about May and September.

Accommodation is usually easy to 4nd, and on most occasions it is not necessary to book in advance. However, if you wish to stay in a particularly popular area, or time of the year, then you are strongly advised to book well in advance. Campsites are often available. There are some small hotels in the country areas, and larger ones in the towns. In the country areas of Britain, it is normal to stay in private homes providing 'Bed & Breakfast', and it has been our experience that these provide cheap, comfortable accommodation in relaxed surroundings. We have stayed in modern homes, and old cottages and farmhouses - one was at least 1,300 years old, with breakfast served in an old chapel!

Day numbers allow for one day of travelling at each end of the itinerary. Most people will need these travelling days.

Although the days are marked as Day 1, Day 2, etc., there is no reason why you cannot spend two or more days at one of the overnight stops. You may have relatives in the area, or just wish to lengthen the tour a little, to accommodate some aspect you 4nd particularly interesting, or do some shopping. Just alter the day number, and carry on at your own pace.

Mileages on each day should be taken as being rather approximate, depending on how many features you visit along the route. Some days you may cover fewer miles, some days you may cover more - but the overall distance should be about right.

OVERVIEW

 This was the 4rst National Park in Britain, being designated in 1951.  It is mostly in Derbyshire, but the southern parts are in Staffordshire and Cheshire, and northern sections in Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.  There is a population of 38,000 within the National Park.  The name 'peak' may be derived from the 'Pecsaetan' hill people, who were Saxon settlers in the area.  It is an area of 555 square miles of outstanding beauty, with deep, wooded dales (valleys) to the south and rolling moorland to the north. Both areas have rocky outcrops, with many panoramic vistas.  In 1636, Thomas Hobbes wrote the 4rst tourist guide to the area, called The Wonders of the Peak. In 1681, it was then re-written by Charles Cotton, who also wrote The Compleat Angler. It has been a favoured area of the wealthy for many centuries.  Because of its beauty, the area has been used for many television programmes, such as Peak Practice and Last of the Summer Wine (the world's longest-running comedy series), and also the 4lm The Virgin and the Gypsy, starring Alan Bates.  The Peak District can be divided into two distinct areas.  White Peak area  This is the limestone area in the centre and south.  It is a gentle area, with its rivers running through lush meadows and valleys, with rocky outcrops of limestone.  There are many wooded areas.  Dark Peak (or High Peak) area  This is a wild area of northern open moorland.  There are the gritstone areas of Kinder Scout and the northern moors of Bleaklow and Black Hill.  These have less vegetation on the peat soils.  It is an area of wonderful solitude.  In poor weather, these areas can be very desolate - Saddleworth Moor gained notoriety in 1965, for the 'Moors Murders'.  Formation of the landscape  About 350 million years ago, the area was under a shallow semi-tropical sea. The remains of calcium-rich creatures fell to the bottom of the sea and built up a thick layer. This eventually became compressed and hard - forming limestone.  Sediments of sand, mud and grit then overlaid the calcium, and this also hardened to become gritstone, or 'millstone grit'.  The area was then covered with thick forests and vegetation, which decayed to form peat.  The central and southern area became uplifted, and were eroded by water, ice and wind, removing the gritstone and revealing the white limestone.  As the land became generally uplifted, the waters receded and the area was covered with thousands of feet of ice, which further compressed the underlying rocks. The melt-water from this Ice Age eroded the limestone and carved out the dales.

OVERVIEW (continued)  Formation of the landscape (continued)  Limestone is a porous rock. Water seeping through it created 4ssures, which allowed material to be forced into the 4ssures and then solidify. The most common materials in the 4ssures in the Peak District are lead and Iuorspar.  Caverns have also formed in the limestone, and there are underground water-courses.  Information Centres are located in all the larger towns, and in various smaller centres.  Wildlife is in abundance, especially near water. Otter, king4sher, dipper and grey wagtail can all be seen in the more quiet dales of the White Peak.  On the open moors of the Dark Peak, goshawk, peregrine falcon, hen harrier and merlin can be seen.  Well Dressing is a celebration of the gift and purity of water.  It is believed the custom may date back more than 2,000 years, but early Christians stopped it, as they considered it was water- worship.  In 1349, Tissington revived the custom, having escaped the Plague. (This was not the same outbreak of the Plague, for which Eyam is famous - see Day 13.)  Many communities dress their wells with large pictures made from plants - particularly Iowers.  Each village has a different idea of how the Well Dressing should appear. Designs vary each year, but almost always carry a religious message.  Since piped water arrived, some villages have introduced Tap Dressing.  Each village dresses its wells at the same time every year. The date varies from early May to mid-September, from village to village.  Wake Day celebrates the birthday of the church. On Wake-eve, there is a midnight vigil, followed by a day of festivities.  Wakes Week is an extension of Wake Day, with even more merry-making, and sometimes including a fair and Morris Dancing.  Love Feast is a communion service with bread and water, signifying the meeting of the early church, and is associated with the Last Supper.  Clypping is an ancient ceremony, which celebrates the relationship between the parent and daughter churches in the area.  It means 'embracing', and usually involves a procession of the town band from the market place to the Church, where it makes a circuit. Choirboys and the congregation hold hands in a ring around the Church, as they sing.  Jitties or Ginnels are the narrow passageways, or alleys, between houses.  Jaggers were men who lead teams of 20 or 30 pack animals across the moors.  A tor is a rocky summit of the moor, from the old English 'torr', meaning high place.  An edge is a vertical cliff of rock, on the side of a long hill.  A sough ("suf") is a tunnel, used to drain water from a mine.  A cloud is a hill.  Clapper bridges have a very basic design, with varying numbers of uprights - depending on the width of the water to be crossed.  The horizontal part of the bridge is just a slab of rock, which spans between two uprights.

 Humans have lived in The Peak District for the last 14,000 years.  The landscape has been much affected by man.  The earliest signs of settlement were about 12,000-14,000 years ago, when the limestone caves were used by the Stone Age people.  Stone Age man felled trees and burnt vegetation in an attempt to improve the growth of grass, but on the gritstone areas of the Dark Peak, bogs developed as there were no trees to absorb the moisture.  From about 5,000 years ago, sheep and cattle were farmed and early types of wheat and barley were grown on the limestone plateau of the south.  About 4,000 years ago, burials were undertaken in various large sites, with circular cairns and stones being erected, and barrows being built. Large stone chambers were used for mass burials.  Between 1845 and 1861, Thomas Bateman excavated over 400 barrows - the artefacts and his notes are in Shef4eld Museum.  In the 70s AD, the Romans started to mine the lead deposits. They built forts outside the area and constructed linking roads.  In the 600s AD, the Pecsaetan hill people arrived in the area. They used iron weapons and tools, and had precious metal ornaments.  In 874 AD, Vikings raided the area and established Derby.  In 920 AD, Edward the Elder conquered the Viking stronghold, and built a fortress at Bakewell.  From the 1100s to 1300s, monks established sheep granges in the White Peak area. 'Grange' in a place-name is derived from this time.  Almost every village and town has a very long history, with some dating back to Roman times, and most were mentioned in the Domesday Book ("dooms-day"). The spellings of the place-names have altered over the centuries, but they usually referred to the geographical position in the area.  The Domesday Book of 1086, listed all properties, in order to assess tax due to King William the Conqueror.  'Low' appears in many names, and comes from the old English 'hlaw' meaning tumulus or burial mound, dating from the Bronze Age.  Dry stone walls were mostly constructed during the Enclosure Movement of the 1700s and 1800s - although some have been dated from Roman times.  There are 26,000 miles of dry stone walls.  Strip Farming was practised in many places, and the obvious lines can still be seen.  It is also known as 'Ridge and Furrow', 'Field System' and 'Medieval Farming'.  The land was ploughed in long strips, as the oxen- pulled ploughs were dif4cult to turn.  Over the years, the soil was drawn up into ridges, which provided drier conditions for the crops. Drainage was created along the furrows.  Packhorses routes had been followed for centuries, until turnpike roads were constructed in the 1700s.  No canals cross the area, although a start was made during the late-1700s at Cromford.  Railways were constructed across the area during the 1800s, but were mostly closed during the 1960s.

H umans in The Peak District (continued)  Mining for lead has taken place for about 2,000 years. (See the section about 'Lead Mining in the Peak District', on page 14.)  Copper has been mined, particularly in the west of the area.  Black marble was quarried around Ashford in the Water.  Blue John was mined near Castleton.  Silver, zinc, iron and manganese have also been mined.  Quarrying limestone and gritstone still employs many locals.  Gritstone had also been previously quarried for grindstones and millstones  Local trades such as candle-maker, rope maker, wheelwright, and blacksmith have all been important over the centuries, particularly in the lead-mining era. However, these have now largely disappeared.  Mills harnessed the power of water for centuries. In earlier centuries, the power was used to grind corn and animal feed.  From the 1770s, the power was used to run machinery in textile mills, after Richard Arkwright had invented the 'water frame' for spinning.  Reservoirs have been created in the valleys.  There are over 50 in the Peak District. The best known are Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs.  The gounds of some stately homes have been Iooded, such as Errwood Hall and Derwent Hall.  Farming still takes place in much of the area, particularly in the south, mainly with sheep and cattle.  Crops are grown on the better soils on the tops of the limestone areas of the White Peak.  Periods of history can be very confusing, and are often vague, with many periods overlapping, and differing between many parts of the world. The following is a simpli4ed glossary of British history.  Stone Age is divided into three separate ages.  Palaeolithic was from about 2·5 million years ago, to about 12,000 years ago (10,000 BC).  Mesolithic was from about 12,000 years ago, to about 5,500 years ago (10,000 BC to 3,500 BC).  Neolithic / Megalithic was from about 5,500 years ago, to about 4,000 years ago (3,500 BC to 2,000 BC).  Bronze Age was from about 4,000 years ago, to about 2,700 years ago (2,000 BC to 700 BC).  Iron Age was from about 2,700 years ago, to about 2,000 years ago (700 BC to 43 AD).  Romans were in occupation from 43 AD to about 400 AD.  Middle Ages were from about the 400s AD to 1485.  Early Middle Ages were from about the 400s AD to 1066.  Dark Ages were a period of the Middle Ages, from about 650 AD to 850 AD.  Medieval was a period of the Middle Ages, from 1066 to 1485.  Tudor was during the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I from 1485 to 1603.  Stuart was during the reigns of James I, Charles I, Charles II, William III & Mary II and Anne from 1603 to 1714  Georgian was during the reigns of the four Georges I to IV (1714-1830).  Victorian was during the reign of Victoria (1837-1901).  Edwardian was during the reign of Edward VII (1901-1910).

Walking  This is the most popular activity, with over 1,600 miles of rights of way, providing many long and short walks. There are also 80 square miles of 'open access' moorland.  During the 1970s, the tracks which had been used by the railways until the 1960s, were re-opened as walking, cycling and horse-riding trails.  They provide reasonably level paths, and can be used as part of a circular route, together with other footpaths.  There are many of these trails, the main ones being:  High Peak Trail  This starts at Dowlow, which is 6 miles south of Buxton. It travels southeast for 17·5 miles to High Peak Junction, which is near Cromford -south of Matlock.  Formerly, it was the Cromford and High Peak Railway, which operated from 1830 to 1967.  Tissington Trail  This is a branch from the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay, and travels 13 miles south to Ashbourne.  Formerly, it was part of the Ashbourne to Buxton Railway, which operated from 1899 to 1967.  Manifold Track  This uses an old narrow gauge railway from Hulme End in the central area, 8·25 miles to Waterhouses in the south.  Formerly, it was the Leek and Manifold Light Railway, which only operated between 1904 and 1934.  Monsal Trail  This travels 8·5 miles through an area claimed to be one of the most beautiful in England, just south of Bakewell to just east of Buxton. As some tunnels have not been re-opened, it is in sections, linked by access paths.  Formerly, it was part of the Midland Railway Line from London to Manchester, which operated from 1863 to 1968. Other activities  Various activities are available including climbing, cycling, pony trekking, golf, 4shing, gliding, paragliding and hang-gliding.  Bicycles are available for hire at various places near the converted railway trails (see above). Time to visit  This itinerary has been created on the assumption that you will visit during the months of May to October. At other times, some of the attractions will not necessarily be open. However, the beauty of the landscape is still available, and can be just as enjoyable.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 10 Useful information (continued) Travelling information  Maps  It has been our experience that the Ordnance Survey Landranger maps are the best to use. The scale of these is 1:50,000, which is about 1·25 inches to 1 mile.  They are available throughout Britain, at bookshops, and similar outlets. They are also available from various internet 'stores'.  The recommended maps for this itinerary are:  Number 110 Shef4eld & Hudders4eld.  Number 118 Stoke-on-Trent & Maccles4eld.  Number 119 Buxton & Matlock.  Note: Map Number 118 is only required for Day 11, and it is suggested that it is only purchased when required.  Map grid references  Every town and village, etc. in the itinerary has a map grid reference. This has been calculated using the above maps. It is a very simple way to pin-point a place.  All Ordnance Survey maps are covered by a series of horizontal and vertical grid lines, spaced 1 kilometre apart.  Grid references are 6 4gure numbers, e.g. 201658, on map number 119.  To 4nd where this grid reference is, look along the bottom of the map for a number 20, and then the next 4gure (1) indicates how many tenths to move further right, i.e. one-tenth of that box.  Then look along the side of the map for a number 65, and then the next 4gure (8) indicates how many tenths to move further up i.e. eight-tenths of that box.  Where your two imaginary lines meet, i.e. 201 and 658, this is at a farm called 'Meadow Place Grange'.  Distances and directions  Every town and village, etc. in the itinerary has an approximate distance from the previous place, together with the approximate direction.  The distance is in a straight line on a map. This is provided so that you can easily 4nd each place, before you start to travel. The distance is not necessarily the distance along the road - it is almost certainly very much longer!  It is worth noting that the altar is at the east end of a church, and on upright headstones, the inscriptions generally face east.  Driving information  If you are hiring a vehicle, then you should read the hire agreement carefully, in order that you do not contravene any of the conditions of hire. Many parking areas are not paved, and it is suggested that driving on this type of surface may well be acceptable to the hire company. However, itforit cannot be held responsible for varying conditions of hire companies.  The total distance you will travel on this itinerary will be about 610 miles.  Conventional 'Fly-Drive' types of itineraries often state just the minimum distances, which do not allow for the normal extra bits of driving - like going out for a meal, going shopping, missing the exit off the road, etc.  itforit believes the total will be a reasonable judgement of your actual mileage, based on:  Our own experiences.  The assumption that you go to many of the places, but not all of them.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 11 Useful information (continued) Admission Information  Admission charges  Nearly every place makes an admission charge.  Exceptions to this are government establishments.  It is worth looking for coupons giving discounts on admission prices. You will 4nd these at Tourist Information Centres, hotels, etc. If none is on display, it is still worth asking.  The National Trust  This is Britain's leading conservation charity. It is not dependent on the government for funding, but relies on voluntary contributions to care for the countryside and buildings in its custody, in perpetuity.  Membership of the National Trust provides certain bene4ts, including 'free' entry to properties.  On this itinerary, there are no places owned by The National Trust, although it does own various properties within an hour of the Peak District. If National Trust properties are to be visited at another time, then it may be worth considering.  Details of the above are available from National Trust properties, or by telephoning 0870-458-4000, or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.  Citizens of the USA may consider joining The Royal Oak Foundation.  The membership dues are tax-deductible (it is a '501-c-3' charity), and it provides many bene4ts, including 'free' entry to properties.  Telephone (in the USA): 1-800-913-6565  English Heritage  This organisation conserves buildings, as does The National Trust, but generally the buildings are not complete, such as old castles. It is the duty of this organisation to stabilise the properties, to prevent any further decay, and allow public access.  Bene4ts are available to members of English Heritage, as with The National Trust.  Great British Heritage Pass  This is for overseas visitors only, on production of a valid passport. The pass is available in various 'time lengths'.  For a fee, this provides 'free' entry to many properties around the United Kingdom, including those belonging to The National Trust, English Heritage, plus many more organisations, and also private properties.  It is good value, if you are going to visit more properties than in this itinerary. For this itinerary alone, it is not a good 'investment'.  More details are at www.visitbritain.com  It is available from:  Most of the large Tourist Information Centres, in cities, ports and airports.  Britain Visitor Centre, 1 Lower Regent Street, London.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 12 Useful information (continued) What to see and do  This itinerary is essentially based on The Peak District, with various extra places added around its perimeter.  Ashbourne is included, as it is a quaint town, and has a variety of accommodation.  Buxton is included, as it is a famous spa town, and also has a variety of accommodation  Matlock, Cromford, and other places on Day 4 have been included for their rich industrial archaeological history.  Maccles4eld is included, as it is famous for its bygone silk industry.  It is not expected that everything in this itinerary will be undertaken.  It is impossible to see everything in The Peak District in 14 days!  There are about 2,000 years of history, and a large area of land to cover.  itforit recommends that you select the day's activities from the choices described, and allocate time accordingly.  Essential places to visit are in bold and underlined.  Interesting places, such as towns and villages, walks, etc. are just underlined. As many of these places as possible should be included in the itinerary, in order to achieve maximum enjoyment, together with understanding of the history and culture of the area.  Suggested walks are in italics. Distances are always stated for the total return or loop.  Walks suggested are some of the easier ones, with good views or particular interest.  It is recommended to do as many walks as possible, to get the most out of this itinerary.  Tourist Information Centres are always worth visiting.  They give a very good overview of the area, together with its history, culture, geology, etc.  itforit does not presume to be a better authority than Tourist Information Centres.  itforit itineraries prepare you for a place of interest, and suggest the essential items to see and do.  All places have rules about damage to the environment, litter, camping, and so on. Please ensure that you abide by these regulations.

Lead Mining in the Peak District

Lead mining is a very important part of the history of the Peak District. These notes will help to understand its signi4cance, and the effects on the scenery and culture of the area.

Uses of Lead  Lead is a soft metal, which is easily worked and can be combined with tin to form pewter.  Pewter was once popular for jewellery, for those who could not afford silver and gold, and it was used for cooking and drinking utensils.  Early uses were to carry water, and to line cof4ns of the wealthy. Later, it was used for roo4ng, as a pigment in paint, and even in bread (to make it whiter) and in wine (to make it sweeter).  Modern uses include roo4ng, car batteries, shielding for radioactive material, sheathing for electric cables, and small amounts in lead crystal.

Peak District Lead  Romans mined Galena (lead sulphide) about 2,000 years ago in the Peak District.  They called lead 'Plumbum' - hence the chemical symbol 'Pb', and our word plumber.  The lead mining boom was in the 1700s, when over 1,000 miners were employed. It continued well into the 1800s.  Mineral rights produced great wealth for the Dukes of Rutland (of Haddon Hall) and the Dukes of Devonshire (of Chatsworth House).  Mining for lead 4nally ceased in the 1950s, leaving about 30,000 abandoned mines.

Mining  It is found in vertical and horizontal veins, sometimes up to 1000 feet deep, and occasionally for up to several miles in length.  Some of veins are only a few inches wide, and were called 'scrims'. Wider veins were called 'rakes'. Veins found in natural caverns were called 'pipes'.  Open-cast mining was the 4rst method of mining, with many farmers also running a small-scale mining operation. This may have been under licence from the occupying Romans.  Mining then became an underground operation, as the surface deposits became exhausted.  Underground water was almost always a problem. It had to be either pumped out, or drained in a tunnel called a sough ("suff").  Cromford Sough produced so much water, that it was extended for 3 miles, and the Iow was used to power Arkwright's cotton mill.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 14 Lead Mining (continued) Crushing  After being collected as lead ore, it was crushed to a powder, prior to being washed.  Early crushing methods involved a Iour-mill kind of operation, using revolving millstones powered by horses, or women and children.  Later crushing methods were with a large pestle and mortar system; or with large crushing hammers; or large jaw crushers.  Crushing was done in a large buildings called an 'engine house'.

Washing  The washing process was done in a large container of water, called a 'buddle'.  Essentially, the powdered ore was stirred around in the buddle, where the heavy lead laden particles dropped to the bottom, and the lighter waste was washed away.  Early buddles were just boxes, with running water.  Later versions were more elaborate with the crushed rock particles being fed along a duct, and dropped onto a central cone. Swirling water then took away the lighter particles to the outer edges of the buddle, leaving the heavier, lead laden particles near the centre. The water was released from the buddle, and it was then relatively easy to collect the lead laden particles.

Smelting  The lead ore particles had to be heated - smelted - to extract the lead.  Lead melts at about 662° F (328° C), and at this temperature it is possible to separate the lead from many impurities.  Roman smelting was done in a crude hearth - the temperature being raised by blasting air with foot-operated bellows.  Later smelting was done in holes on the brows of hills, utilising the wind to provide the blast. The holes were called 'boles'.  The 4rst smelting produced lead oxide and lead sulphate. A second smelting was necessary with reduced air intake, and the two compounds then combine to produce lead, and the gas suphur dioxide.  The lead produced was called 'pig lead', as it had impurities such as copper, silver and zinc. Some impurities could be skimmed off the molten lead.

Registration with the Barmaster  A miner could not excavate his vein until he had registered his 4nd.  Registration was made to the Barmaster, at the Barmote Court (or Barmoot Court).  A fee of about 65 pounds of lead ore had to be paid to the Barmaster, before mining could commence.  The mines were often given unusual names, such as Wanton Legs, Hit or Miss, Boggart Hole, Trusty Friend, Nell I'll Tickle Thee, and Hanging Eye.

Overnight summary, with alternatives

Overnight suggestions are in main towns.  Accommodation could be taken anywhere in each local area.  Information Centre telephone numbers are provided. They have accommodation registers, and can provide lists, etc.

Day 1 Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre: 01335-343666

Day 2 Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre: 01335-343666

Day 3 Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre: 01335-343666

Day 4 Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre: 01335-343666

Day 5 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 6 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 7 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 8 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 9 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 10 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 11 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 12 Buxton Tourist Information Centre: 01298-25106

Day 13 Castleton National Park Information Centre: 01433-20679

Day 14 Castleton National Park Information Centre: 01433-20679

Day 15 Ashbourne Tourist Information Centre: 01335-343666 (Alternatively, a further night around Castleton may be favoured)

Day 16 Your onward journey

Travelling day

 This page may be used to make notes about your travelling arrangements, in order to arrive at Ashbourne - ready to start on your itinerary on Day 2.  If you have arrived early at Ashbourne, and wish to see some of the sights, please refer to Day 2.

Overnight around Ashbourne ("ash-born")

The 4rst day of your itforit itinerary! A beautiful walk today, unusual village architecture, and then return to Ashbourne.

Approximate miles = 25 Today's map number - 119

Leave Ashbourne north on the A515 road.

Note: Although Ashbourne could be explored early in the day, it is recommended to leave it until later, in order to arrive at Dove Dale earlier in the day.

Thorpe  This is about 2·5 miles northwest of Ashbourne, at 156502.  It is an attractive village, below the Iat-topped hill of Thorpe Cloud, at 924 feet.  Church of St Leonard  This small church is just south of the main road through the village.  It has a short, bulky tower, and various parts of the whole building appear to be leaning - supposedly because of different amounts of limestone rubble in the walls.  The tower dates from about 1100, and the rest of the church from the 1300s.

Dove Dale walk ("duv-day-l")  This starts about 0·5 mile northwest of Thorpe, at the parking area at 147508.  It is a 6 miles return walk to Milldale, but any amount is worthwhile.  It is the best known of all the dales, and the most popular, with up to 4,000 visitors on a sunny Sunday. It is recommended to visit on a weekday, early in the day.

 Its beauty was (rst extolled by Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton in the anglers' bible The Compleat Angler, published in 1653. The Dove was called the 'princess of rivers'.  No grazing is allowed in Dove Dale now. In Victorian photographs, when grazing was allowed, there appeared to be more rock formations. It is possible to see more of the rock formations, by visiting at times of less vegetation.

Dove Dale walk (continued)  The (rst 0·75 mile is level as far as the stepping stones, and for a further 0·75 mile. After that, it becomes less level, ascending about 100 feet.  The stepping stones are famous, although they are not very old. They were put in place in Victorian times, when donkeys were hired to carry people along the dale.

 There are crinoid fossils in the stones, which have become eroded by many walkers crossing the river.  There are various rock formations to be seen along the walk, such as Tissington Spires, Reynard's Cave, The Straits, Ilam Rock and Pickering Tor.  The Twleve Apostles are rock pinnacles rising from the ash trees, opposite Lover's Leap, which is a sudden climb along the footpath.  Viator's Bridge at Milldale was named after a character in The Compleat Angler.

Ilam ("iy-lam")  This is about 1 mile west of Dove Dale, at 135508.  It is an unusual village on the River Manifold.  Its history can be traced back to at least 1004, when it was called Hilum and acquired by a Benedictine Abbey.

 In 1546, when all monasteries were dissolved, it became owned by a new Lord of the Manor.  In 1820, the estate was inherited by Mary Watts Russell - her inheritance became the property of her husband, Jesse.  The village houses, close to the cross and the bridge, were designed in the 'ornee' style. They have large, carved barge-boards, and elaborate roof tiles and face-hung tiles.  They were built by Jesse Watts Russell, in 1857.

Ilam (continued)  Eleanor Cross  This 30ft high monument is in memory of Jesse Watts Russell's 4rst wife, Mary, who died in 1840.

 In 1290, Eleanor, the wife of Edward I, died in Nottinghamshire. Her body was returned to London. At each place the cortège rested on the journey, Edward later built a tall, ornate cross. The 4nal cross was at Charing Cross, in London. Similar structures are now referred to as Eleanor Crosses.  Ilam Hall  In 1689, 19-year-old William Congreave wrote his bawdy play The Old Bachelor in the grounds of the original Ilam Hall. The grounds also inspired Dr Samuel Johnson to write Rasselas.

 In the 1820s, the original Ilam Hall was re-built in gothic style by Jesse Watts Russell, who had made a fortune from shipping.  In 1875, Jesse Watts Russell died, and after a further 52 years in another family's ownership, it was sold to become a restaurant. However, the restaurant failed, and it was sold for demolition.  In 1934, after 75% of the Hall had been demolished, it was saved by the benefactor, Sir Robert McDougall, who gave it to the National Trust, to be leased as a Youth Hostel.  The original stable block, which pre-dates the Hall, is used by the National Trust for a shop, information centre and tea room.  The estate is now a country park of 84 acres, and a pleasant place to enjoy the woods and Manifold River.  Church of the Holy Cross  From the south aisle, there is a small chapel with two crants hanging above its entrance. (See Day 8, Ashford in the Water, for 'crants'.)

 In the centre of the chapel is a shrine, dedicated to Saint Bertram (or Bertelin), a Saxon Prince, who is thought to have been the son of the King of Mercia in the 700s AD.  Although Saint Bertram's remains were originally buried locally, they were taken to Stafford at a later date.

Ilam (continued)  Church of the Holy Cross (continued)  The tomb cover, which is now within the shine, was made in the 1200s. It was then incorporated into this chapel, which was built in 1618.  Prince Bertram married an Irish princess, and on returning to England, whilst sheltering in a forest, their child was born. Bertram went to 4nd help, and on his return, discovered his wife and child had been killed by wolves. He was so distressed, he became a hermit, devoting his life to prayer and meditation. Following his example, many converted to Christianity. Pilgrims still visit his tomb, and many miracle cures have been claimed.  At one time, it was customary for pilgrims to crawl through the holes in the side of the shrine, to get closer to the tomb cover.  From the north aisle, is the enormous mausoleum of the Watts Russell family.

Throwley Hall  This is about 2 miles northwest of Ilam, at 111525.

 It is in a wonderfully isolated position, high in the Manifold Valley. The farm and the ruins of old Throwley Hall have a magni4cent view.  It is not open to the public, but the road to and from it are worth travelling.  The Meverell family once lived at Throwley Hall.  In 1618, Robert Meverell partly paid for the building of Saint Bertram's chapel at Ilam. He died in 1625, and is buried at Ilam.  Robert and his wife, Elizabeth, had a daughter - also Elizabeth - who married Lord Thomas Cromwell in 1623. On her father's death, the Hall passed into the Cromwell family - the Earls of Ardglass, Ireland.  Lord Thomas Cromwell (1594-1627/8) was an uncle of Oliver Cromwell.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 21 Day 2 (continued) Ashbourne  This is about 6 miles southeast of Throwley Hall, at 180468.  It is an ancient market town with all the usual facilities, such as banks and shops.  In 1257, Ashbourne Market Charter was obtained for the area north of Henmore Brook. Consequently, traders built their houses south of Henmore Brook to avoid paying town's taxes. The town that developed on the south side was originally called Compton.  Catherine Mumford was born here in 1829, and became the wife of General William Booth. Together, they founded the Salvation Army. She was called 'The Army Mother'.  There is a bust of her in the Public Gardens, close to Cokayne Avenue, which is the continuation of the main street - St John Street.  Derwent Crystal is a factory shop, accessed from the main car park, or from St John Street. It is free to see demonstrations of glassmaking and engraving.  Market Place  This is a quaint, cobbled, triangular area, where a market is held each Thursday and Saturday.  There are several pubs, shops and a small Town Hall.  St John Street  This is at the lower end of Market Place.  There is an ancient high sign across the street, joining both sides. It is rather like a high gallows, which commemorated the uniting of two coaching inns in 1825 - The Green Man, and Black's Head Royal Hotel.  Ashbourne Gingerbread Shop  This is to the left, along St John Street, opposite the Millenium Clock.  The building dates from the 1400s. In the 1600s, it was The Roebuck Inn. In 1805, it became a bakery. The present family of bakers has been baking here since 1887.  The gingerbread recipe is reputed to have been provided by a French prisoner in the Napoleonic Wars of the early-1800s.  Retrace your steps past the sign across the street, and continue in the same direction.  Church Street (the continuation of St John Street)  Almshouses  These are on the left, after Station Road.  The lower Ioor of the building was constructed in 1640, and the upper Ioor was added in 1848.  The Mansion  This 1600s house is further along, on the left.  It was owned by The Rev. Dr John Taylor, the oldest friend of Dr Johnson, who visited here on various occasions between 1767 and 1784.  Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an eccentric, who studied language and wrote about literature and morals. In 1755, he completed the 4rst English dictionary, containing 40,000 entries - many of which are still used. James Boswell, the Scottish lawyer, was a great friend.

Ashbourne (continued)  Church Street (continued)  Queen Elizabeth Grammar School  This is further along, on the right, and was founded in 1585. It was visited by Queen Elizabeth II, on the 400th anniversary.  Church of St Oswald  This is further along, on the left.  It has the highest steeple in the Peak District, at 212 feet. The chancel is the oldest part of the church, the building of which commenced about 1200.  Inside the church, on the north side, there are various tombs with marble monuments in the Boothby Chapel. The most famous monument is that to Penelope Boothby, who died in 1791, aged nearly 6.  The charming monument is as if she were asleep.  She had learned four languages, and all four are represented on her tomb - English, French, Italian and German.  Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football  This is a traditional 'football' match, which is played every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday (usually in February or March).  The two sides are "Up'ards" (from north of Henmore Brook), and "Down'ards" (from south of Henmore Brook).  The 'goals' are 3 miles apart - at Clifton and Sturston, at the old mill sites - where there are stone 'goals', which have to be touched three times to score a goal.  The match starts at 2.00pm, when the ball is 'turned up'. It continues until at least 5.00pm, but no later than 10.00pm.  If a ball is goaled before 5.00pm, another ball is turned up. If a ball is not goaled by 10.00pm, it is handed to the police.  The 'pitch' has no limits - it can go anywhere. There are almost no rules, or limitations on players on either side.  The game has only twice been cancelled - both occasions were because of Foot-and-Mouth disease.

Overnight around Ashbourne

A day of beautiful quaint villages, and a good walk with many interesting features and views.

Approximate miles = 35 Today's map number - 119

Leave Ashbourne north on the A515 road.

Fenny Bentley  This is 2 miles north of Ashbourne, at 175502.  Bentley Brook Inn, south of the village, is the home of 'Leatherbritches' real ales, with its brewery on the premises.  The 1400s square tower of the original, moated manor house is now part of Cherry Orchard Farm - seen on the right (east) of the A515 road.  Church of St Edmund  The tomb of Thomas Beresford and his wife is close to the altar. Both of their ef4gies are shrouded. Two sides of the tomb have carvings of their 21 shrouded children.  The signi4cance of the shrouds is not known, but a theory about the children's shrouds is that there were too many to recognise individually.  In 1418, Thomas Beresford fought for Henry V at Agincourt, together with eight of his 16 sons.

Tissington  This is about 1·5 miles north of Fenny Bentley, at 176523.  The main entrance to the village is through the village estate gates, next to a lodge-house, along an avenue of lime trees.  The village is regarded as the jewel in the crown of Derbyshire's Peak District, with its cottages, wide grass verges, duck pond, and magni4cent Hall.  There has been a village here since at least 1042, when it is 4rst recorded. It is also recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.  Tissington Hall and the FitzHerbert family  The very pretty village estate is managed by the FitzHerbert family, which has owned it since the early- 1600s. Originally, the family lived by the church in a Manor House, which was later demolished.  In 1610, the family moved to the new Jacobean-styled Manor House of Tissington Hall. The Hall was extended in Georgian times, and again early in the 1900s - in keeping with the Jacobean style.  Tissington Hall is open to visitors on a few occasions during the year, with guided tours being provided.

Tissington (continued)  The village is laid out with houses grouped together in small areas.  Many of the present buildings and houses were built between 1830 and 1860.

 Close to the duck pond, which has been created with a small dam, there is an 1837 school building with the FitzHerbert coat-of-arms over the door.  Church of St Mary  This small Norman church has a short, squat tower, and a font also dating from Norman times.  There are interesting, rather crudely carved 4gures in the lintel over the main door - inside the porch.  There is evidence of arrow sharpening in the porch - on the rounded stone pillars each side of the main door.  The pulpit has been adapted from an original 'double-decker' type.  Well Dressing  The village is considered by some to be the birthplace of well- dressing in 1349.  There are six wells - Yew Tree Well, Town Well, Cof4n Well, Hall Well, Children's Well and Hands Well.  Hall Well is opposite Tissington Hall. There is a record of the dressing of this well in 1349.  The most dif4cult to 4nd is Cof4n Well, in the garden of the Post Of4ce.  Each year, it is the 4rst village to start well dressing, beginning on Ascension Day, for seven days.  Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter.  It is one of the few villages to have survived, unscathed, the Black Death of 1349, possibly because of the purity and reliability of the water supply.

Bradbourne  This is about 2 miles east of Tissington, at 209527.  It is a farming community in an elevated position, with excellent views over the surrounding area.  Church of All Saints  This is a Norman church dating from the early-1100s, on an original Saxon base.  The outside of the church has changed very little since about 1550. It is very solid- looking, with a square tower and battlements.

 There is a Norman doorway at the base of the tower, with wonderful stonework around a triple arch. It is considered to be one of the best Norman doorways in England.

Bradbourne (continued)  Church of All Saints (continued)  There is a Saxon Cross shaft in the churchyard, dating from about the 800s AD. It has clear carvings, including a scene of the Cruci4xion.  The grave of Nat Gould is in the east of the churchyard. He worked at the farm opposite the church, and wrote 130 horse- racing novels. He died in 1919.  The Old Parsonage is built in three completely dissimilar styles and differing materials.

Parwich ("par-wich")  This is about 1·5 miles northwest of Bradbourne, at 187545.  It is an attractive village with two greens. Many of the cottage windows have stone mullions.  Church of St Peter  This was built in 1866.  The Norman tympanum over the west door, on the outside, dates from a previous church on the same site.  Parwich Hall is higher up the village at 186546. It is a magni4cent, Georgian brick-built structure of three storeys, completed in 1747, on the site of an earlier Manor House. It is a private house, not open to visitors.

Roystone Grange walk  This starts about 2·5 miles north of Parwich (near to Gotham), at the parking area at 194582.  It is 4 miles loop walk, descending about 150 feet, with wonderful views and various historic features, spanning at least 4,000 years.  Leave the parking area at the far (east) end, cross a road, and then onto the High Peak Trail, which follows the former course of the Cromford and High Peak Railway.  The Cromford and High Peak Railway was built between 1825 and 1830.  Walk along this track for about 1·25 miles, crossing a large stone embankment, and then going past an old quarry and brick kiln - both on your left.  There is a good view of the prominent Minninglow Hill, with its small copse of trees. This is the site of Neolithic chambered burial tombs, dating from between 4,000 and 5,500 years ago. Roman coins and pottery from about 2,000 years ago, have also been found in the area. There is no public access to the site.

 The brick kiln was part of a late-1800s brick works, making refractory bricks (high in the local silica sand), which were used in furnaces for the steel industry.

Roystone Grange walk (continued)  About 200 yards after the brick kiln, the course of the former railway is crossed by Gallowlow Lane. Bear left here, onto this wide grassy track.  Gallowlow Lane is an old cattle drovers' track.  After about 400 yards, climb a stile over the wall to your right, and then walk downhill.

 Go through a short tunnel, which is through another embankment of the former railway. Continue downhill after the tunnel.  After about 200 yards, go into a (eld, which continues downhill, and keep a wall to your left. After a further 200 yards, climb a stile over the wall on your left, and then continue downhill - now with the wall on your right, and a view of Roystone Grange in front of you.  This valley was the subject of a 10-year archaeological project by Shef(eld University.  This valley has been farmed since at least Roman times of 1,800 years ago. For about 300 years (100s AD to 300s AD), the area was farmed for cereal and root crops, together with sheep and cattle. Further wealth was possibly gained from mining lead.  The (rst Roystone Grange was established by a Cistercian Abbey at Garendon in Leicestershire. That Grange was to the left of the present Grange, and slightly uphill. Nothing is left of it now.  It was established here because of a permanent spring. From the 1100s to the 1300s, it was used to farm sheep for the export of wool to the present Europe.  Where the (eld Aattens, continue to follow the wall to your right, and then climb a stile over it - crossing a small (eld at an angle to another stile onto a farm track.  The unusual chapel-style building to the left was built in the 1800s as a pump house. An engine produced compressed air, which was pumped along pipes to rock drills in local quarries.  Turn right on the farm track, and follow it through the farmyard of the present Roystone Grange.  This present Roystone Grange was built in the mid-1500s.  To the right of the track, there is a rare old barn with unusual brick pillars.  The buildings of the settlement of 1,800 years ago, were on a raised terrace to the left of the track.  Continue to follow the farm track / road for about 0·75 mile, and then turn left onto a road.  Walk along the road for about 600 yards. Then turn right, and walk about 500 yards back to the parking area.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 27 Day 3 (continued) Winster  This is about 3 miles northeast of Gotham, at 242606.  The village, at the head of Wensley Dale, once had the status of a town and held regular markets, having been granted a charter in 1711.  Much of the village is in a designated Conservation Area, with about 70 listed buildings.  Many of the buildings are in Main Street, and in East Bank and West Bank, which rise from Main Street.  Most of them date from mid-1700s, in the lead-mining heyday. At this time, the population was about 2,000, with over 20 pubs.  The Dower House, at the western end of Main Street dates from the 1600s.  Off Main Street, there are many small alley-ways, called 'ginnels'.  The houses higher up the hillside appear to have been built in a quite haphazard way.  Market House  This protrudes into Main Street and is a National Trust information centre.  It was the 4rst Peak District property in the newly- formed National Trust.  It was probably built in the late-1600s, or early-1700s.  It was originally open on the ground Ioor - the arches probably having been 4lled in during the early-1800s.  By 1904, the upper storey had become unstable, and was removed. In 1906, the National Trust became the owner, and it was re-built using old materials.  The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race is announced with a bell, and contestants run from the Dower House to the Market House.  There is a market at Bank Holidays, and Wakes Week is a festival at the end of June.  The Winster Morris Men are famous, and perform on various occasions, especially during Wakes Week.  Five Morris-dancing tunes have originated from the village - Winster Gallop, Winster Processional, Winster Reed, Winster Morris and Blue-Eyed Stranger.

Overnight around Ashbourne

If industrial archaeology interests you, then this is a fascinating day. There's too much to do, so choose carefully!

Approximate miles = 45 Today's map number - 119

Leave Ashbourne northeast on the B5035 road.

Wirksworth ("werks-werth")  This is about 7 miles northeast of Ashbourne, at 286540.  It has an interesting mixture of cottages and a few wealthier houses from the heyday of its lead-mining era.  Lead has been mined in the area since it was discovered by the Romans.  It is a market town, having received its Market and Fair Charter in 1306. The Market Place is a quaint area, with many old buildings.

 It was used as the setting for 'Snow4eld' in Adam Bede by George Eliot. Her Aunt, Elizabeth Evans, lived at the 4rst house on the right as the village is entered on the Derby Road.  Heritage Centre  This is in Crown Yard, by the Market Place, housed in a former silk mill.  It explains the history of the town.  Church of St Mary  This is attractively set in a small, quiet close, together with 1584 Bedehouses (almshouses) and the 1546 Grammar School - both at the east end of the close.  Although parts of this church date from 1272, most of it dates from the 1300s and 1400s.  Inside the church, on the north wall, is the 'Wirksworth Stone', which is a tomb lid from the 700s AD.  It was discovered under the chancel in 1820, and is carved with events in the life of Christ. At the time, it was upside down on a stone cof4n, inside which was a perfectly preserved human skeleton.  In the north transept, there are many stones in the wall with Saxon carvings.  There are many excellent decorated tomb lids, some with brasses and others with stone carvings.  'Clypping' the church is still celebrated here.

continued......

Wirksworth (continued)  Moot Hall  This is east of the Church of St Mary, in a quiet street. It is not open to visit.  Two original structures called Moot Hall were in the Market Place. The present Hall was built in 1813, and used from 1814.  It is where the Barmote Court still meets each September, to settle lead-mining disputes - as it has since before 1288, when it was described as being of great antiquity.  A bronze standard measuring dish for ore hangs on the wall inside - it holds 60-65 pounds of lead ore, which is the equivalent of 14 pints of water, and was made in 1513.  Unfortunately, it is not open to visit.

Middleton  This is about 2 miles northwest of Wirksworth, at 275562.  MiddletonTop Engine House  This is at the south end of the village.  It is accessed from the B5035 road, about 0·25 mile west of the B5023 road.  It is an old beam engine, which is operated on the 4rst weekend of each month during the summer.  It was used to haul wagons up and down the 1 : 8.25 incline of the Cromford and High Peak Railway.  The original 33 miles of the railway opened in 1830 and closed in 1967.  Hopton Wood quarry is in the town, and produces a rare type of limestone, which is 99% pure and very hard - similar to marble from overseas. It can be well polished.  Hopton Wood Marble has been used in Westminster Abbey, York Minster, Lich4eld and Liverpool Cathedrals, the Royal Opera House, the Houses of Parliament, the Albert Memorial, and headstones in war cemeteries.  From1918 to 1919, D H Lawrence lived at Mountain Cottage in New Road.

Steeple Grange Light Railway  This is about 1 mile northeast of Middleton, on the same site as the National Stone Museum, at 287553.  It is a narrow gauge railway, on a part of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway branch line. Former quarrying and mining locomotives and rolling stock climb up a steep incline to Killers Dale.  The original 33 miles of the railway opened in 1830 and closed in 1967.  Rides are available.

Old railway tracks are now popular as cycling, walking and horse- riding trails.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 30 Day 4 (continued) Cromford  This is about 1 mile north of Steeple Grange Light Railway, at 293567.  It owes its development to Sir Richard Arkwright, known as 'The Father of the Factory System'.  Sir Richard Arkwright (1732-1792)  He was born in Preston, Lancashire, and was originally a travelling wig-maker and barber.  The 1764 'Spinning-Jenny' of James Hargreaves did not produce thread strong enough, or fast enough, and required skilled labour.  He employed John Kay, and in 1768, they invented a spinning frame, initially powered by horses, and later by water, known as the 'water frame'.  The machine used three sets of rollers, turning at progressively faster speeds, spinning the yarn (thread).  Power from horses became the limiting factor in a mill at Nottingham, and so water-power was utilised.  He introduced not only mills and workshops to the area, but also houses for his employees, a chapel, a school and an inn (The Black Greyhound Inn - now called The Greyhound Hotel).  In 1786, he was knighted, and in 1787, he became High Sheriff of Derbyshire.  To start with, he lived at Rock House, overlooking his mills and the Cromford Canal Basin.  Although he is normally shown as a kind man, there are now doubts about his character.  He was illiterate, but clearly had a clever business brain.  He chose an area with cheap labour - particularly children - from the declining lead-mining industry.  He took over employees' lives, by providing good wages, housing, schooling, a church and inn. However, the bene4ts of employment prevented a change of job.  He built his massive mills in an almost fortress-like style, with a portcullis-style entrance. There were no windows on the ground Ioor facing the road.  He stock-piled material, creating a shortage, and then sold when prices were high.  He would not sell single machines, but licensed many at a time. Spare parts had to be 4tted by his own workers.  Cromford Mill area  This is just outside the main part of the town, at 299570.  Follow signs for Arkwright's Mill and Cromford Canal.  It has been nominated as part of a World Heritage Site, receiving extensive funding for restoration and conservation.  In August 1771, Arkwright signed the lease for land and water rights here. In December 1771, the initial mill, 4ve Ioors high, was nearly complete.  It was the 4rst successful water-powered cotton- spinning mill in the world.  By 1776, he had improved his mechanisation, and started to build the second mill here, seven Ioors high, which was completed in 1777.

continued......

Cromford (continued)  Cromford Mill area (continued)  Rather than taking power from the strong River Derwent, water from Bonsall Brook and Cromford Sough was utilised to drive the waterwheels. Surplus water went to the river and canal.  During the 1840s, water power reduced, as the soughs from lead mines changed course. Also, steam power had started to replace water power, and as time went by, Cromford Mill ceased to be used for cotton spinning.  In addition to the large mills and warehouses still standing, there are a Gatekeeper's Cottage, and the Counting House.  Small parts of the buildings have been restored, and adapted for of4ces, shops and other provisions for visitors.  Cromford Canal and Wharf  This is on the opposite side of the road from Arkwright's Mill.  The canal was completed in 1794, linking Cromford to Langley Mill in the southeast - a distance of 14·75 miles. It 4nally closed in 1944.  The 4rst 5 miles followed the line of the River Derwent and the railway from Derby to Buxton.  There is an interesting walk along the canal - see next page.  Church of St Mary  This is about 100 yards further along the road, on the same side as Cromford Mill.  It was completed in 1797, and altered in 1858.  A vault contains the remains of Sir Richard Arkwright. He died in 1792, and was 4rst buried at a church in Matlock. His remains were exhumed, and re-interred here.  The graves of many of the Arkwright family are at the east of the churchyard, close to the river.  There are memorials to the Arkwright family inside, although the church is usually locked.  River Derwent bridge  This is just past the Church of St Mary.  It is an unusual 1400s structure, with three arches - rounded on one side, and pointed on the other.  Just before the bridge on the right, there is a square 1700s Fishing Pavilion.  Between the Fishing Pavilion and the bridge, on the river- bank, there are the foundations of a 1400s Bridge Chapel, which was used to give thanks for safe travel.  Willersley Castle  This is just past the River Derwent Bridge, on the left.  In 1788, Richard Arkwright purchased an estate from the father of Florence Nightingale, and started to build his grand Willersley Castle.  In 1791, it was destroyed by a 4re, just as it was being completed, so he restored it - being 4nished in 1892, just after his death. He never lived at the Castle.  It is now a Methodist Hotel and Conference Centre.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 32 Day 4 (continued) Cromford Canal walk  This starts at Cromford Wharf, at 300570.  Note: It is possible to shorten this walk by about 2·25 miles - to about 0·75 mile - by starting at the parking area at High Peak Junction, at 315562.  It is a 3 miles, level, return walk, with much industrial archaeological heritage.  Walk away from Cromford Mill (east) along the canal path. It is a pleasant walk, with views over wooded banks and (elds.  High Peak Junction Workshops are about 1 mile along the path, on the opposite side of the canal - across a bridge.

 These were the Cromford and High Peak Railway Workshops, and now house an exhibition and shop, which are generally open at weekends and during school term-time.  The Cromford and High Peak Railway was completed in 1831, and went 17·5 miles to near Buxton. There, it connected with another canal, which enabled coal to be transported to Cromford.  Continue on the same side of the canal as the workshops (south side) for about 300 yards to High Peak Junction wharf.

 This is where the Cromford and High Peak Railway exchanged goods from canal barges. The stanchion of an original crane still remains.  Continue on the same side of the canal for a further 200 yards to the Leawood Aqueduct (also called Wigwell Aqueduct).

 This has a single 80 feet span over the River Derwent, which is 30 feet below.

Cromford Canal walk (continued)  Cross over the footbridge at the end of the aqueduct, and return along the opposite side of the canal. About 100 yards from the aqueduct is the Leawood Pumphouse.

 The canal water originally came from various sources, including a lead mine drainage sough. The sough water helped to power Cromford Mill, and the surplus water was then discharged into the river and canal.  However, the lead mine drainage sough was diverted, and there became insuf(cient water for the canal.  This pumphouse was built in 1849 to transfer water from the River Derwent into the canal, with a steam- powered, single beam-engine. Its massive design pumped 4 tons of water per cycle, and could lift 28 tons of water up 30 feet every minute.  The pump was restored in 1979, and is fully working and open to visitors on occasions - details are available at the High Peak Junction Workshops.  Return along the canal path.

Matlock Bath  This is about 1 mile north of Cromford, at 295580.  It has become a large urban development, incorporating several villages, and they are usually all referred to as Matlock (see next page).  Thermal waters were found here in 1698, and was developed as a spa - although access for visitors was dif4cult.  Smedley's Hydro dominated the town for over a century - it is now Council of4ces.  Masson Mill  This was Sir Richard Arkwright's magni4cent cotton mill, completed in 1784.  The mill closed in 1991, but now has re-opened as a factory outlet 'experience' on four Ioors, also housing a Working Textile Museum.  The timber Ioor on the lower level still has clear worn areas, from where children wearing clogs paced backwards and forwards to the machinery.  Working Textile Museum  There are working water turbines, steam boilers, 100- year-old working looms, and the world's largest collection of bobbins.  Peak District Mining Museum  This is in The Pavilion building, between the A6 Derby Road, and the River Derwent.  It describes lead mining in the area, with good exhibits about the cramped, underground working conditions, equipment, tools and clothes.  There are also working models, together with shafts and a tunnel to explore - which are not compulsory.

Matlock Bath (continued)  Temple Mine  This is close to the Peak District Mining Museum, across the A6 Derby Road - it is 4rst necessary to purchase tickets for guided tours at the Museum.  The mine was worked for lead ore and Iuorspar from 1922 until the 1940s.  Hard hats are supplied, and it is possible to see rock-face crystals in the well-lit tunnels.  Panning for gold and other minerals is available.  Matlock Bath Aquarium  This is on the A6 Derby Road.  The building was previously the 1883 Matlock Bath Hydo. The outdoor pool was previously used to immerse patients, for its considered therapeutic powers.  The pool takes its water from a hillside spring, which produces water at a constant 20ºC (71ºF), and Iows at 600,000 gallons per day. The pool now houses a famous collection of large carp, weighing over 30 lbs.  Aquarium tanks are inside the building, containing various 4sh from around the world.  A 'Petrifying Well' demonstrates how objects can become coated with 'stone', when sprayed with the natural mineral water.  There is also a gem and fossil collection, together with a Hologram Gallery, which shows laser-produced, Ioating, 3- dimensional pictures.  The Heights of Abraham  Cable cars go up to The Heights of Abraham, on Masson Hill, starting from the Base Station, accessed from the A6 Derby Road.  The Heights of Abraham are not on the top of Masson Hill, but views are good across the Derwent Valley and surrounding countryside.  There are two caverns to explore with guides - Great Masson Cave, and Great Rutland Cave, which was also mined for lead, formerly called Nestus Mine.  In 1759, General Wolfe had conquered the French at the Heights of Abraham, 1 mile north of Québec, Canada - overlooking a gorge of the St Lawrence River. This inspired the residents of Matlock, who thought a section of Masson Hill was similar, and named it to honour General Wolfe.

Matlock  This is about 1 mile north of Matlock Bath, at 298603.  The town of Matlock is an old market town with all the usual amenities, such as banks and shops. The urban development has grown along the River Derwent, and also eastwards, away from the river.  Riber Castle  This was built in 1860-62 by John Smedley, an eccentric industrialist. It is also referred to as 'Smedley's Folly'.  It was his private residence, but is now a ruin, and can be seen from most areas of Matlock, perched high on the hill to the east.  John Smedley nearly died of typhus fever, but was cured by hydrotherapy. He devoted his life to helping to cure people with water - opening Smedley's Hydro hotel.  John Smedley died in 1874, and his wife died in 1892.  The house had never been comfortable as a home. It became a food store, then a school, and 4nally the grounds were used as a wildlife park, which closed in 2001.  It is now closed to the public.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 35 Day 4 (continued) Lumsdale walk  This starts about 1·5 miles northeast of the centre of Matlock, at 313612.  Park in the lay-by, opposite High(elds School in Lumsdale Road, which is south of the A632 road.  It is a 1 mile return walk to see the remains of water-powered mills and associated buildings from the 1600s and 1700s.  The area is considered to be one of the (ve best industrial archaeological sites for water power in Britain.  Water-power in Lumsdale was taken from Bentley Brook, which drops 80 feet within about 0·25 mile. It is thought the mills could not operate at times when the power was too great.  Walk south down the road for about 200 yards, and where the road curves right, keep straight on, along an un-surfaced track.  At Pond Cottages, there is a restored pond. The pond was created in the 1830s as a quarry, and then converted into a pond in the 1850s, by building a dam. It is stone-lined, with a drain to allow for cleaning.

 Pond Cottages were originally built in 1749 for smelting lead, and were converted into cottages for mill workers in 1789. They are now privately owned.  From the dam end of the pond, follow the footpath down the dale, through the remains of various buildings, by the side of Bentley Brook and its waterfalls. In order down the path, the buildings are:

 Saw Mill - which was built in the 1850s.  Bleach Mill - where material was bleached in stone troughs, and then dried in the (eld across the brook. It later became a Paint Mill, where barium sulphate was heated to produce a pigment. It is the oldest building, dating from the 1600s.  Grinding Mill - for corn and other food-stuffs, dating from the 1770s.  Upper Bleach Works - which dates from the 1780s.  Lower Bleach Works, and Smithy - which are through the gate, and on the opposite side of the small road.  Return the same way, passing the Chimney, which was used by the various buildings, connected with underground Aues. Its high position provided a good draught for the various furnaces.  As you return, you may contemplate the sites of the two early ponds, on the right - above Pond Cottages, and before the lay-by.  The Pond you have seen was actually the third pond, as two higher ponds had been created in 1785. Both of these have since become silted-up, and are no longer ponds.  Between the two ponds, there was a Bone Mill. This had been built in the 1600s, before the ponds. At (rst, it was used to smelt lead. It was then used to heat bone, which was used as a paint pigment; and later, to crush bone, which was used as a fertiliser.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 36 Day 4 (continued) Bonsall  This is about 2·5 miles southwest of Lumsdale, at 279582.  It is an attractive village, set mainly on four roads, arranged in a square.  Many of the villagers take a great pride in their terraced gardens, tending them up the steep dale sides.  The original buildings were constructed entirely of limestone with gritstone mullions, door jambs and lintels.  It was once a lead mining village, and also greatly involved in stocking- making, with many cottages being used for workers in this 'cottage industry'.  Market place  This is in the centre of the most attractive area.  The stone cross is set on a steep part of the road, with a circular base and 13 steps. It is the largest cross construction in Derbyshire.  Wesley is said to have preached from the steps of the cross.  The village actually never received a market charter, and consequently has never held markets.

 The King's Head was built in 1677 - originally as a stable, then providing accommodation, and eventually became a pub.  UFOs  Some people consider this area to be a site for UFOs, although many are very sceptical.  The centre of information is the Barley Mow pub.  Viyella  There is a textile mill on the A5012 road, at 284575.  This road was initially named 'Via Gellia' ("vee-ah-jel-ee-ah"), as it was built by Philip Gell of Hopton Hall, in 1790, to transport lead and stone. He was a wealthy lead mine owner.  During the late-1900s, the new 'Viyella' textile was produced here - the name being a corruption of Via Gellia.

Overnight around Ashbourne

Quaint villages and walks today. Enjoy ambling along the old railway track from Hartington Signal Box.

Approximate miles = 45 Today's map number - 119

Leave Ashbourne north on the A515 road.

Alstonefield  This is about 7·5 miles northwest of Ashbourne, at 132556.  It is an ancient farming village above the Dove and Manifold Valleys, set at 900 feet.  The village is split into two parts - older and newer.  The older part is centred around two triangular greens, and The George pub, a former coaching inn.  From 1308 until 1500 it had a charter to hold a market, and continued to hold cattle sales until the early-1900s.  Church of St Peter  This is about 300 yards down the lane, opposite the George Inn.  There has been a church in this village since at least 892 AD, although a previous one was dedicated to St Oswald.  Most of the present church dates from the 1100s, with alterations almost every century since.  There are many interesting facets about the church, and a guide is available.  A particularly notable item is the 'two-decker' oak pulpit, with excellent carvings. It had once been a 'three-decker' pulpit.  The wonderful box pews date from 1637.  An old headstone, opposite the south entrance, is inscribed clearly with the date 1518. It marks the grave of Anne Green. It is possibly the oldest readable headstone in Britain.  A former rectory is now a farm, opposite the church, and dates from 1587. Behind the farm is an ancient tithe barn.

Quaint old bridges are plentiful in the Peak District.

Grindon  This is about 3 miles southwest of Alstone4eld, at 087545.  Although there were once two pubs in this village, there is only one now, and this used to be the village smithy. The building dates back to the 1600s.  This village became famous in the winter of 1947, when a helicopter crashed nearby.  1947 was a bad winter and six RAF men, together with two press reporters were on a mission to deliver emergency supplies to villages cut off in a blizzard.  Sadly, the helicopter crashed with the loss of all lives.  Church of All Saints  This is called the Cathedral of the Staffordshire Moorlands, because of its spire.

continued…… Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 38 Day 5 (continued) Thor's Cave walk  This starts about 1 mile northeast of Grindon, at the parking area at 098557.  It is a 3·5 miles loop walk, ascending about 450 feet.

 From the parking area, head south along the course of the old Leek & Manifold Light Railway. This is a Aat section of about 0·75 mile, alongside the River Manifold.  An unusual feature of the River Manifold is that is appears to be dry during the summer. In fact, it runs underground within limestone caverns, re-emerging on occasions during its course.  At the footbridge, cross the river, and climb steeply up a well-made path to Thor's Cave.  Thor's Cave  This is a large cave, going back into the hillside at least 30 yards.  There is a good view over the Manifold Valley.

 It was a burial site in the Bronze Age - between about 4,000 and 2,700 years ago.  The name is derived from either Thor, the Norse God of thunder, or from a corruption of the old name for hills 'tors'.  Continue along the same path, then following the footpath signs for Wetton. This is a concessionary footpath.  Wetton  This is a small, attractive farming community, with a church and pub - which may be useful for refreshments, half-way round the walk.  There are also public toilets.  On reaching the telephone box in Wetton, turn left, and walk about 300 yards up the lane, towards a raised reservoir.  At the reservoir, continue straight ahead through the gate, and then follow the footpath ahead.  The footpath circles round to the right of Wetton Hill, through a (eld, and then follows a wall on the left, down to a building with a small sign 'Pepper Inn' over the door.  Pepper Inn  This was originally built in the late-1700s as an ale house. Since then, it has been used as a smallpox isolation hospital and a button factory.  At Pepper Inn, turn left, and follow the attractive, narrow valley for about 1 mile, all the way down to the parking area.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 39 Day 5 (continued) Wettonmill  This is about 0·5 mile northwest of the Thor's Cave parking area, at 096562.  It is in the Manifold Valley, and there is a National Trust car park here with toilets and cafe.  One of the old buildings was a grist mill used by farmers until 1857.  Above, is Nan Tor with its caves, which were inhabited 8,500 years ago by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers.

Hulme End ("yoo-mend")  This is about 2 miles northeast of Wettonmill, at 106593.  It is at the northern end on the Manifold Track, which provides good walking and cycling opportunities.  The Manifold Valley Visitor Centre, housed in a former railway ticket of4ce, has a scale model of the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway.

Hartington  This is about 1 mile northeast of Hulme End, at 130605.  It is on the River Dove, and was granted a Royal Charter for a market in 1203. In 1836, the pillared Market Hall was opened.  It is a pleasant village, with a pond and wide open square, claiming to be 'The Gateway to Dove Dale'.

 The square was originally part of a farmyard belonging to a coaching inn, which no longer exists.  It has the only cheese factory left in Derbyshire.  Church of St Giles  Built in the 1200s, this imposing church with battlements around its roof and tower looks down on the village.

 Hartington Hall  This is about 0·25 mile up the road facing the Church of St Giles.  An original part of the Hall dates from about 1350, which was built for the Bishop of Norfolk. It was then enlarged in 1611.  It is thought that Bonnie Prince Charlie spent one night here in 1745, on his way to Derby.  Since 1934, it has been a Youth Hostel.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 40 Day 5 (continued) Wolfscote Dale walk  This starts in Hartington, at a parking area on the B5054 road, at 128603.  It is a walk of variable length - being a return walk from wherever you choose, or a loop walk of 5 miles.  The signposts are very clear, and it is easy to follow the path.  The walk is easily split into (ve sections, starting along a footpath opposite the parking area.  The (rst 1 mile (section 1) is level, across open farmland.  The next 0·75 mile (section 2) is through a beautiful, narrow valley, alongside the River Dove.  There many weirs along the river, a water tower (looking more like the remains of a castle), and a wealth of wildlife.  The next 1·5 miles (section 3) is level, along a wider, more open valley of Wolfscote Dale, still alongside the River Dove.  This is an area with scree slopes, but slowly the valley becomes narrower, with craggy outcrops.  For sections 4 and 5, turn left into Biggin Dale, just before a bridge and cave.  It is suggested either to walk these sections, or return the way you have come.  The next 1·5 miles (section 4) are up through Biggin Dale, with the last 0·5 mile being in a National Nature Reserve. From this section on, the walk ascends about 250 feet.  The path rises through the dale, following the clear signposts to Hartington.  This dale is narrow, and can be muddy at times, but is not visited as much as Wolfscote Dale. There are many varieties of wild Aowers, and a rare species of gorse.  The last 2 miles (section 5) follow track and road, through open country.  After rising out of Biggin Dale, keep walking in the same direction, and then Hartington is signposted.

Hartington Signal Box  This is about 1·5 miles northeast of Hartington, at 150611.  It is accessed from the B5054 road.

 This old railway signal box - now on the Tissington Trail - still has original equipment inside, which can be viewed through the windows.  It was once used as a Visitor Centre.  It is a good place to start exploring along the old railway track bed.

Overnight around Buxton  See Day 6 for details of Buxton.

Buxton has its interests, but be sure to leave time for the Goyt Valley and Errwood Hall.

Approximate miles = 15 Today's map number - 119

Start the day in Buxton

Buxton  This was the Roman spa town of Aquae Arnemetiae ('the spa of the Goddess of the grove'), with eight thermal springs.  The old town is on the hill to the east, where there is also the Town Hall and market place. However, the main items of interest are around the Pavilion Garden area.  Pavilion Gardens  These 23 acres of landscaped gardens were laid out in 1871.  There are various lakes formed from the River Wye, which are enjoyed by many species of waterfowl. There is also a bandstand and miniature railway.  These 23 acres of landscaped gardens were laid out in 1871.  There are various lakes formed from the River Wye, which are enjoyed by many species of waterfowl. There is also a bandstand and miniature railway.  The main building of the Pavilion Gardens houses the Octagon concert hall, a Conservatory with Iowers and hot-house plants, together with various eating facilities.  Opposite the Pavilion Gardens building is Broad Walk, alongside a fashionable row of 1860s houses.  Opera House  This is next to the Pavilion Gardens building.  It was built in 1903, but became a cinema in 1927, and eventually fell into disuse in the 1970s. It was restored as a theatre in 1979, and again in 2001. It is a wonderful example of Iamboyant Victorian architecture.  Old Hall Hotel  This is across the road from the Opera House.  It was built in 1550, around a well. Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed on various occasions between 1573 and 1584. She thought the water helped her rheumatism.  Thermal Baths  These are behind the Old Hall Hotel, and now house the Tourist Information Centre.  They were completed in 1853 on the site of the original spring. The modern pumping equipment can be seen.

Buxton (continued)  The Crescent  This is a little further along the road.  It was completed in late-1784, and was designed to rival the Royal Crescent at Bath - although much smaller.  It provided living accommodation, hotels, shops, and leisure facilities - such as card rooms, and meeting rooms.  It was paid for by the 5th Duke of Devonshire, whose family had accumulated vast wealth from a copper mine at Ecton Hill - about 10 miles south of Buxton.  It is currently awaiting remedial work.  The Pump Room  This is opposite The Crescent.  It was completed in 1894, for visitors to take the water.  Since 1981, it has been used for local artists to exhibit their work.  St Anne's Well  This is next to The Pump Room.  It is a public pump, for visitors to collect the thermal water with its traces of various minerals.  The water is believed to have therapeutic powers, as it fell as rain over 5,000 years ago. Its temperature is always 82ºF.  The Slopes  These gardens are behind St Anne's Well.  They were originally laid out in 1818, and altered about 1840.  The Devonshire  This is about 200 yards behind the Opera House.  It was originally built in 1789 as stables for the Duke of Devonshire.  In 1859, it was converted to a hospital. It has recently been purchased by the University of Derby.  It has magni4cent architecture, and a dome over the exercise area, which was added in 1881. Until recently, it was the largest unsupported dome in the world. (Dimensions of the dome vary between 138 and 156 feet diameter, depending on which document is read!)  Buxton Museum and Art Gallery  This is in Terrace Road, in the old town.  It has exhibits about the Peak District including geology and archaeology, together with art, craft and photography.  Poole's Cavern  This is in Green Lane, to the south of the town, at 050726.  It is a natural limestone cave, with stalagmites and stalactites.  About 200 AD, it was inhabited by Roman metal-workers.  About 1440, it was the legendary home of an outlaw, called Poole, who supposedly hid his treasure here.  It is set in a wooded country park, including Grinlow Wood and the 1895 folly of Solomon's Temple.

Leave Buxton northwest on the A5004 road.

Long Hill  This is the 4rst 2·5 miles of the A5004 road, heading northwest from Buxton.  It has a gradient of 1 in 7. The Bunsal incline was about 0·5 mile to the southwest, and was the steepest incline on the Cromford and High Peak Railway.  As you turn (at 033752) towards the Goyt Valley, there is a good view north - down into the valley, where the path of the steep, old road can be seen.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 43 Day 6 (continued) Shrine of Our Lady  This is about 2·5 miles northwest of Buxton, at 028754.  This isolated shrine was designed as a miniature altar, on a quiet section of a country road leading to the Goyt Valley.  It always has fresh Iowers - believed to be placed by many different people, who enjoy the peace and solitude of the position.

 It was originally constructed about 1955, by a local Roman Catholic who worked at a nearby limestone quarry. It was built to incorporate a mosaic, which the priest at Buxton had purchased in France.  It is thought that the Shrine was the 4rst to have been built on public land in England, since the Reformation of the early-1500s.  Over 20 years, it had become damaged by weather and by a road accident.  In 1994, the members of the local Roman Catholic Church arranged for it to be re-built, with a donation from the man who had originally constructed it. A local executive 4nanced a replacement mosaic altar, based on the original design, although the inscription is from the original altar.

Goyt Valley  This is about 1 mile west of the Shrine of Our Lady, at about 015750.  The River Goyt has been dammed in two places to form the Fernilee Reservoir in 1938, and the Errwood Reservoir in 1968.  Both reservoirs Iooded various farms, and Fernilee Reservoir Iooded a gunpowder factory, which had been in production employing 120 men, before World War I. At times of low water levels, some buildings are occasionally seen.  Over the last 200 years, there have also been a paint-making factory, coal mines and a quarry in the valley.  The gritstone quarry at Goytsclough was where the present- day Pickford's removal 4rm commenced in the 1600s. This quarry is in the southern section of the valley, next to the one- way section of the road (see below).  A large part of the valley is a designated Site of Special Scienti4c Interest (SSSI), as it is the home of much wildlife.  May and June are good times to visit, as there are 1,000s of rhododendrons and azaleas. They were planted by the Grimshawe family (see next page - Errwood Hall walk).  The section of road from the Errwood parking area is for one-way traf4c southwards. It is a long way round to return to the same point, if this section is taken inadvertently!  The area is popular with walkers, particularly on Sundays and Bank Holidays - on these days in summer, a section of road is closed near Errwood Hall.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 44 Day 6 (continued) Errwood Hall walk  This starts at Errwood parking area at 013748.  Note the constraints mentioned in the above section about the Goyt Valley.  It is a 3 miles loop walk, with historical interest, and wonderful views. It ascends about 550 feet, but is a reasonably easy, slow climb.  Walk uphill from the parking area - not straight uphill, but about 45º to the right, to pass through a gap in a wall. Then continue to follow the path to the right.  About 0·25 mile, turn right onto a path to Errwood Hall. (There is a small set of steps about 20 yards before the turning on the path - both the steps and the path go to the same place.)  The remains of Errwood Hall are about 200 yards along the path, on a plateau of a small hill. The Hall has been generally reduced to ground level, but some window frames are still standing, and the layout of the Hall can be seen. The family crest marks the position of the original front door.  In 1849, Errwood Hall was given as a wedding present to Samuel Dominic Grimshawe and his wife, Jessie. It had been built in about 1840 for Samuel's father, a wealthy industrialist in Lancashire, although he never lived here.  The Grimshawes were extremely wealthy, and enjoyed travelling the world in their private yacht. They collected about 40,000 rhododendrons and azaleas to enhance the estate.  Three generations of the family lived here until 1930. It was then sold - to be used for a short time as a Youth Hostel.  Some of the building stones of the Hall were used to construct the Fernilee dam, and associated buildings.  Continue walking around the small hill. The path drops down to a footbridge over a stream.  A detour to the left goes over another footbridge, and then around to the rear of the small hill.  Here are the ruins of a laundry and greenhouses, and also of Castedge - the cottages for the servants. The family employed about 20 staff, including a Roman Catholic priest.  The kitchen garden was also on this reasonably level area.  Continue up the small hill to its summit - there are various paths leading to the summit.

 Here is a small cemetery with the graves of various members of the Grimshawe family, including Samuel and Jessie, and their grand-daughter, Mary Gosselin, who died in 1930.  There are also the graves of some of the servants, including the captain of the family yacht, Mariquita.  Return down the hill to the footbridges, and take the path, which is signposted to the Shrine. It heads left (north) along the valley.

continued......

Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 45 Day 6 (continued) Errwood Hall walk  Follow the slowly rising path for about 0·5 mile to (nd a small circular shrine, just below the path.  This shrine was erected in 1889 to the memory of Dolores de Bergrin. She was a Spanish aristocrat, and the companion of Jessie Grimshawe. She was also the teacher at the local school, of about 30 pupils.

 She was cherished by the family, but died in her mid-40s, whilst on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France.  The shrine is dedicated to St Joseph. The Spanish inscription over the altar is translated as "Nobody asks in vain of St Joseph. A mark of gratitude."

 Return to the path, and continue in the same direction for about 200 yards. Then turn right onto another path, rising onto Foxlow Edge.  Walk all the way along Foxlow Edge, and down to the road - about 0·75 mile.  Turn right, and walk about 200 yards back to the parking area.

Overnight around Buxton

Ancient walls, a megalithic tomb, and other excellent walks today. It will be dif4cult to make a choice.

Approximate miles = 45 Today's map number - 119

Leave Buxton southeast on the A515 road.

Chelmorton  This is about 4 miles southeast of Buxton, at 113700.  It is the highest village in Derbyshire, at 1,209 feet, and famous for its surviving ancient 4eld system - possibly the best in Britain.

 The farms have been built along the main street. The long, thin strips of land have been contained within drystone walls, straight back from the farms - mostly at least 0·25 mile long.  The many rows of parallel drystone walls can easily be seen from within the village, and from surrounding roads.  The farming community consists of just one straight road, which originally followed the course of a stream.  The stream is now piped underground, but had the intriguing name of Illy Willy Water, and provided a source of fresh water.  Townend Farm, at the west end of the village, dates from 1634, and has Venetian-style windows, which are remarkable for such a small farming community. It is known locally as Chelmorton Hall.  The Church of St John the Baptist, at the east end of the village, has an unusual weather vane on its spire - a locust, which was the symbol of John the Baptist.

Five Wells Chambered Cairn walk  This starts about northeast of Chelmorton, at 122706.  It is a level 1 mile return walk on a concessionary footpath.  Note: There is a council waste site in the valley below the burial chambers. The rising odours could be disconcerting.  Walk about 0·25 mile north, and then follow the signposts east (right) to the burial chambers at 124711.  It is the highest megalithic tomb known in England, from up to 5,500 years ago.  Two stone burial chambers can be seen, one of which can be entered.  In 1846, the chambers were excavated, and 12 skeletons were discovered.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 47 Day 7 (continued) Earl Sterndale  This is about 2·5 miles southwest of Chelmorton, at 092670.  It is a small farming community with a duck pond.  The Quiet Woman Inn has a sign with a headless woman, and the quote "Soft words turneth away wrath"! It is reputed to commemorate a nagging wife, who was decapitated by her husband.

Longnor  This is about 1·5 miles south of Earl Sterndale, at 090650.  It is an old market town in the heart of a farming area, set uphill from the River Manifold.  There are records about the area back to about 700 AD, although the 4rst mention of a small village occurred in 1223.  By the mid-1800s, the population had risen to about 600, with churches, schools, many shops and trades, and seven inns.  At one time, it was a very important town - more important than nearby Leek, which had a postal address of 'Leek, near Longnor'.  The 1900s saw a decline of prosperity, because of advancing communication by road and rail.  It is regularly featured in Peak Practice as 'Cardale'.  The Market Square has two inns.  The Horseshoe Inn is the oldest in the town, dating from 1609.  The Crewe & Harpur Arms relates to the Harpur-Crewe family, which became lords of Longnor Manor in the 1500s.  The 1873 Market House is not used any longer for markets, but has the old tolls - the costs - for buyers and sellers on a board above the door.  The 1903 tolls are recorded in old pence.  There were 240 pence to each £, and so each penny was worth about 1/5 of a present day penny. For example, "four pence" would now be worth just over 1.5p - excluding inIation.

 The building is now used as a showroom for local crafts, and to sell refreshments.  There is a cobbled alley (Chapel Street) to the left of the Market House, which goes behind the haphazardly constructed buildings, including the site of the old Red Bull Inn.

Upper Lathkill Dale walk  This starts about 4 miles northeast of Longnor, at the Church Street parking area, in Monyash ("mun- ee-ash"), at 150667.

Upper Lathkill Dale walk (continued)  It is a 4 miles loop walk, descending about 200 feet.  It is a beautiful walk, in the narrow, upper section of the dale, with many wild Aowers, especially orchids, in the spring.  It is a Site of Special Scienti(c Interest, with ash and hazel woods, rock formations and rare plants and animals.  Walk north (away from the village centre) along Church Street for about 0·25 mile, and turn right at a junction signposted for Sheldon.  After about 50 yards, go right into a (eld, which is the start of Bagshaw Dale.  Follow the dale to the road. Turn left, and then almost immediately right onto another footpath into Lathkill Dale.  Follow the footpath along the dale, entering a National Nature Reserve, within the dale.

 About 0·3 mile from the road, Ricklow Dale and its disused quarry are on the left (north). In the late-1800s, the limestone from this quarry was polished to provide grey '(gure marble', which contained a large number of crinoidal fossils.  About 0·3 mile on the right (south) after Ricklow Dale, there is Lathkill Head Cave. It is where the River Lathkill emerges during the winter, when water levels are higher. During the summer, the cave is usually dry.  About 0·3 mile from Lathkill Head Cave, turn right over a footbridge across the River Lathkill.  About 0·25 mile after the bridge, where the path divides, keep right. Follow the path up the valley, and go past One Ash Grange Farm.  Continue in the same direction, following the sign for Monyash.  About 300 yards past One Ash Grange Farm, where the track goes into a (eld, keep to the left of the (eld, and continue in the same direction for a further 0·5 mile.  After the path has gone diagonally right across a (eld, cross a stile and turn left. Keeping the wall to your left, cross a stile after about 20 yards, and enter a walled footpath.  Walk along the walled footpath for about 0·5 mile, arriving at a road at Monyash. Continue in the same direction for about 200 yards, and turn right into Church Lane.  As the path approaches the churchyard, Fere Mere can be seen to the left - the last of the original (ve meres (ponds).  Walk through the churchyard of the pre-1100s Church of St Leonard, and on arriving at a road, turn left.  In the 1300s, Monyash was a lead mining village, having established itself at a crossroads, with its (ve meres.  It has also seen industries of candle-making, rope-making and quarrying.  It has been a Quaker stronghold. In the mid-1600s, a Quaker chapel was built, and the religion was very strong during the 1700s and 1800s.  Walk about 200 yards to the crossroads, and turn right - back to the parking area.  The market cross at the crossroads dates from 1340, when Edward III granted a Market Charter.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 49 Day 7 (continued) Sheldon  This is about 2 miles northeast of Monyash, at 175688.  It was a lead-mining village, but is now a small farming community.  The real lead-mining boom was in the 1850s at the Magpie Mine (see the walk, below). At that time, 14 Cornish miners arrived to install a beam engine to pump water, and they stayed to work the mine.  The 1700s houses are set back from the main street, along the length of the village green.  Church of St Michael and All Angels  This simple church is about 200 yards north of the main street, along a track.  Built in 1865, it has an unusually rounded east end, with a matching roof.  The small stained glass windows provide a surprisingly large amount of light.  The original oil lamps have been converted to electricity.

 The Cock & Pullet  This pub was converted from a barn, in 1995. It features at least 18 clocks in the public areas.  The 'Devonshire Arms' pub was previously in the building next door, but had been closed for 25 years.

Magpie Mine walk  This starts at the top of Sheldon village, parking at 172688.  It is a reasonably level, 1·5 miles return walk.

 Walk along a footpath, starting just to the right of the last cottage on the south side.  The way to go is clear, as the mine is ahead.  The mine was worked on and off for 300 years from 1682.  It has 20 shafts and buildings.  The black corrugated iron shed dates from the 1950s.  It was last worked in 1958.  It was stabilised in 1970 and is regarded as the best preserved in Britain from the lead-mining era.  There are various structures to see.  The 1869 Winding House still has its large cable drum, which moved the cage up and down the shaft.  The 1869 Cornish Engine House has a round Cornish chimney - designed by 'imported' workers.  The 1840s Agent's House and adjoining Blacksmith's Workshop are now used by the Peak District Mines Historical Society.

Magpie Mine walk (continued)  The sough is 1·25 miles long, and construction cost about £14,000. It was completed in 1881, having taken eight years.  In the 1960s, it became blocked by a collapsed shaft, and the water that built up eventually broke through in 1966. The debris of shale and silt swept into the River Wye, partially blocking it.  The sough was cleared and reopened by the District Mines Historical Society in 1974.  The small, round Powder House is about 100 yards to the northeast of the other buildings - where accidental detonation of the explosives could cause little damage.  Further to the northeast, there is a reconstructed horse-driven crushing machine.  In 1833, there was a dispute about the ownership rights to the rakes (veins) of lead, where two rakes joined.

 A group of 17 miners deliberately lit underground, sulphurous (res, and three men were suffocated.  Disputes over rights were frequent, and the 17 men were acquitted.  The mine is said to be haunted, as the widows of the men killed put a curse on it. The sighting of a ghost was reported in 1946.

Overnight around Buxton

Easy walks, a picturesque village, and the home of the Bakewell Pudding - not to be called a tart!

Approximate miles = 45 Today's map number - 119

Leave Buxton east on the A6 (T) road.

Wormhill  This is about 4 miles east of Buxton, at 123745.  It is an ancient village, with many old buildings along Wormhill Hill.  The small, sloping green has some stocks, and an elaborate structure around the well-head. The well-head structure was erected in 1875 to commemorate the birth of James Brindley within the parish. There is also a plaque about James Brindley at the lower side of the green.

 James Brindley (1716-1772) was born in the small hamlet of Tunstead, which is about 1·5 miles northeast of Wormhill. Tunstead is within the parish of Wormhill.  He was apprenticed as a millwright. In 1752, he built an engine to drain coal pits.

 In 1758, he was employed to build the 4rst canal in England - 10 miles between Worsley and Manchester. It was completed in 1765.  He was responsible for about 360 miles of canals, which contributed to the start of the Industrial Revolution.

Litton Mill walk  This starts about 2·5 miles east of Wormhill, at 156733.  Leave the B6049 road opposite the small Church of St Anne in Miller's Dale, and drive for exactly 1 mile to the National Trust Ravenstor parking area.  Litton Mill village has no parking area for visitors.

Litton Mill walk (continued)  This starts about 2·5 miles east of Wormhill, at 156733.  Leave the B6049 road opposite the small Church of St Anne in Miller's Dale, and drive for exactly 1 mile to the National Trust Ravenstor parking area.  Litton Mill village has no parking area for visitors.  It is a 4 miles return, level walk in Miller's Dale, and is part of the Monsal Trail.  Walk about 0·25 mile along the road to Litton Mill village, and continue past the building of Litton Mill.  Litton Mill was opened in 1782 by Ellis Needham. It was a textile mill, initially exploiting local cheap labour, and then orphans. He treated his workers exceptionally badly. The evidence of this type of ill-treatment was used in the preparation of laws to prevent employment of children.  In 1874, it was burnt out by a (re. In 1880, the present mill was built, and operated until 1967, when it (nally closed.  In 2002, work commenced on converting the buildings to apartments.  Continue to walk along the wide path, alongside the River Wye, for as far as you wish. It is a very easy, pleasant walk, with weirs and good scenery within the dale.  Below the village of Cressbrook, the path crosses a footbridge, at Cressbrook Mill.  From the footbridge, a narrow gorge can be seen, where the river tumbles over rocks. This narrow gorge has the quaint name of Water-cum-Jolly Dale.  Cressbrook Mill has recently been converted into accommodation.

Monsal Viaduct walk  This starts about 1 mile southeast of Litton Mill, at 176723.  It is a 2 miles return walk, ascending about 150 feet.

 Leave the parking area southeast along the road (downstream, looking at the river), and after about 100 yards, turn right - then crossing over the River Wye on a road bridge.  This section of the walk is in Miller's Dale.  Walk up the road / track for about 200 yards (going under a bridge), and then bear left onto the Monsal Trail, at the old Monsal Dale Station.  Confusingly, this old building is not actually in Monsal Dale. However, it was used by rail passengers to enjoy the area, including Miller's Dale and Monsal Dale.  Turn right past the old Monsal Dale Station, and walk along the level track for nearly 0·5 mile.

Monsal Viaduct walk (continued)  The track exits from a cutting onto the Monsal Viaduct, high above the River Wye.  John Ruskin protested at its construction - "Every fool in Buxton can be in Bakewell in half an hour, and every fool in Bakewell at Buxton".

 The railway originally continued across the viaduct, and entered Headstone Tunnel, on its way to Derby and the south.  The viaduct is almost at a bend in the river, and this is where Miller's Dale meets Monsal Dale, with Monsal Head high above, to the left.  It is now admired by many.  It is possible to leave the track to the right - just before the viaduct, and walk down to the meadows alongside the river in Monsal Dale. The meadows lead to a 10 feet high weir.  Above the weir, on the opposite, south side of the river, is the Iron Age hill fort of Fin Cop, dating from about 2,400 years ago.  It is on the top of the escarpment, 450 feet above the river, with no public access.  Recent excavations have shown that a massacre occurred, probably when Fin Cop was attacked and destroyed. The remains of many bodies were found below the rubble.  The hill fort was built in a very strategic position, with commanding views up four valleys.  The return walk from the viaduct to the weir will add a further 1 mile.

Ashford in the Water  This is about 2 miles southeast of Monsal Dale, at 195697.  It has seen prosperity over the centuries from lead, wool, corn milling and marble industries.  Black Marble  The village is famous for its black marble, although it is no longer quarried.  It is a pure black limestone, which polishes well, and was particularly used for 4replaces, furniture, and decorative items with coloured inlays.  In 1748, Henry Watson started to quarry the marble just to the northwest of the village at Rookery Wood.  The quarry closed in 1905, because of competition from abroad.

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Ashford in the Water (continued)  Parish Pump  This is an octagonal structure, built in 1881, although there is no longer a pump. In 1977, a central plaque was installed to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.

 Sheepwash Bridge  There are various picturesque bridges around this village, especially the 1600s Sheepwash Bridge over the River Wye.

 It is no longer used for traf4c, but there is an annual demonstration of washing sheep, utilising the sheep fold, which is attached to the bridge.  Prior to shearing, lambs were penned in the sheep fold. A lamb was thrown into the river; its mother, on the opposite side, would jump in to rescue it - thus washing its Ieece.  Church of the Holy Trinity  The path to the south entrance was once known as 'Corpse Road', and has yew trees on each side - estimated to be at least 500 years old.  The tower was probably built about 1205, but most of the remainder of the church was re-built in 1869.  The oldest feature of the present church is a Norman stone tympanum over the entrance door, with a boar and wolf.  During the re-building of the church, this stone was discovered in the wall of the former church. It is thought have been part of an even earlier church.  There are various examples of Ashford black marble.  A wall monument to Henry Watson is on the south wall of the nave. He died in 1786.  In the north aisle is a particularly well-inlaid table.  There are four funeral garlands hanging from the roof. They are called 'Virgin Crants'.  Each was made for the funeral of an unmarried girl, and was carried at the ceremony.  Later, the crants were hung from the roof, above the grieving relatives - if there was no denial of the girl's virtue.  The oldest dates from 1747, and the most recent from 1801.  The custom may have come from Scandinavia.  The Rookery  This 1500s private residence can be seen from the A6 road, and has a delightful bridge over the River Wye. It is not open to visit.  It was the 4rst home of the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, who now reside at Chatsworth House (see Day 12).  In 1829, it was used by the 6th Duke of Devonshire to house his mistress, Elizabeth Warwick.

Bakewell ("bayk-wel")  This is about 1·5 miles southeast of Ashford in the Water, at 215685.  Settlement in this area dates back to the 800s, when it became recognised as one of the best crossing points of the River Wye.  The present bridge dates from the 1300s.  In 1086, it had become a large parish with two priests.  There are ancient stone crosses, which were used as preaching crosses before the churches were built.  The town received its market charter in 1330.  Its heyday as a market town was in the 1700s and 1800s.  In 1826, the market was moved from the street to its present market area, where it is held every Monday.  The late-1600s Market Hall is now an Information Centre.  It is now the second busiest livestock market in the Peak District.  In the early 1800s, the Duke of Rutland tried to create a spa town here, but the waters were too cold (59ºF) compared with Buxton.  The Bath Gardens, close to the main traf4c island, were laid out in 1814. At the opposite end of the gardens, is the 1697 Bath House, which was built by a previous Duke of Rutland, close to where a Roman bath was discovered (it is not open to the public).  In 1811, Jane Austin stayed at the 1804 The Rutland Arms Hotel. She used Bakewell as the basis of 'Lambton' in Pride and Prejudice.  Bakewell Pudding  This is perhaps the most famous aspect of the town, and apparently should never be called a Bakewell Tart. The modern Bakewell Tart, covered with icing, is also available, but should not be confused with a Bakewell Pudding.  The original recipe was discovered at The Rutland Arms Hotel, allegedly by accident or mistake - possibly an effect of alcohol.  Many local establishments claim to have the original recipe, which dates from 1859.  Church of All Saints  This mostly dates from the 1300s, including the font.  In the churchyard, at the east end, there is an 800s AD cross, which is 8 feet high. One side has carvings of the Norse Gods, Odin and Loki. The Cruci4xion is on the opposite side.  In the south porch, and inside the church, there are various Anglo-Saxon and Norman pieces of carved stone.  In the south aisle is the 1385 alabaster wall monument to Sir Godfrey Foljambe and his wife, Avena, who died in 1376 and 1383 respectively.  The monument is about two feet tall and although this type of memorial became popular in the 1500s, this is the earliest known example in Britain.

 The church information states this monument dates from 1377 - six years before Avena died.  In the Vernon Chapel, which is on the south side, there are 4ne monuments to the Manners and Vernon families of Haddon Hall. However, it is not always open.

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Bakewell (continued)  Old House Museum  This is in Cunningham Place, off Church Lane, west of the church, and higher up the hill.

 It is best accessed by taking North Church Street, which is to the right of the Rutland Hotel.  Building of the original small house was completed in 1538, making it the oldest tax collector's house in the Peak District.  Richard Arkwright leased the house in 1777, and then purchased it in 1796, when it was described as having 10 dwellings. He used to house his mill employees.  There are 15 rooms, with exhibits of local artefacts, including a wheelwright's workshop, toys, lace, cameras, costumes and Ashford black marble.  There is also a rare 1500s toilet.  Opening times have varied, but it is generally open in the afternoons from April to September inclusive.

Overnight around Buxton

Various walks today, which cover thousands of years of history. Bradford and Lathkill Dales are wonderful at any time of the year.

Approximate miles = 45 Today's map number - 119

Leave Buxton southeast on the A515 road.

Arbor Low walk  This starts about 9 miles southeast of Buxton, at 158639.

 There is a parking area at the roadside, or another area (suitable for about 10 cars), about 200 yards up a farm track - in the same direction as the footpath to the monument, which is at 160636.  It is a 1 mile return walk, gradually ascending about 100 feet.  This circular Neolithic monument was constructed between 4,500 and 5,000 years ago. It was enclosed within a circular earth bank, and even when the large stones were upright, they would not have been seen from outside the bank.  It was possibly used for ceremonial and ritual purposes at certain times of the year. The mystery of the proceedings would have been increased by being hidden from view.  It is thought that many people came from surrounding areas, bringing goods with them to barter.  The stone circle has about 40 stones, and has been called the 'Stonehenge of the North'. The stones have long-since fallen and are now horizontal.  Construction of Arbor Low must have taken many years. Primitive tools such as picks made from antlers, and shovels made from shoulder blades would have been used.  At a later time, a Bronze Age barrow was constructed on a southeast section of the bank.  Relics found in the Bronze Age barrow includes a bone pin and food vessels.  To the south is Gib Hill, which has a large Bronze Age barrow. It was built on top of a Neolithic barrow, which had been constructed before Arbor Low.  Other evidence of previous civilisation has been found at the nearby Benty Grange. The remains of a Saxon warrior were found, together with a coat of mail, a leather drinking cup, and a helmet featuring a cruci(x and a hog, which was sacred to the goddess Freyr.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 58 Day 9 (continued) Long Rake  This is about 1 mile east of Arbor Low, at around 175640.  A rake is a lead deposit between two vertical pieces of rock, which can run just below the surface for many miles.  This area is planted with trees to prevent animals grazing and being poisoned by lead. It can be seen immediately to the south of the road, as an area between two walls about 30 yards apart.  Calcite and Iuorspar are still mined here in quarries also on the south side of the road.

Bradford Dale walk  This starts at the large village square in Middleton, at 196632.  It is an easy 3 miles return walk, gradually descending about 200 feet, along a good path.

 It is a most attractive dale with much wildlife.  Middleton village is a quiet farming community.  In the village square, there is a small memorial to the crew of a Wellington Bomber, which crashed in 1944, at Smerrill - about 1 mile southeast of Middleton.  Walk down the lane opposite the memorial. This becomes a good, wide path.

 The path goes down the narrow limestone dale, through woods, and between moss-covered walls.  In 1643, during the Civil War, Sir Christopher Fulwood hid in a cave, thought to be lower down the lane. He had raised 1,000 volunteers to (ght for the Royalist cause, and was hiding from the Parliamentarians, who discovered, shot and captured him. His captors attempted to take him to Lich(eld, but he died on the way, from his wound.  The English Civil War of 1642 to 1646 was about the power to rule the country - the King or Parliament. The argument was not a class or social problem, but religious and political. It was the Royalists (for the King) against Parliamentarians (with Oliver Cromwell in charge). Generally, London and city- dwellers, together with the upper classes supported the Parliamentarians. The country-dwellers, and lower classes supported the Royalists.  After about 500 yards, the path crosses a bridge, and continues round to the left.  At the bridge, there are the remains of the old pumping station, which pumped water up to Middleton.  Continue along the path for about 1 mile.  The River Bradford has many beautifully clear pools, where trout may be seen.  The attractive pools were created with a succession of dams and weirs along the fast-Aowing River Bradford. They are known as the Bradford Dams, and were constructed by the owners of Middleton Hall.

Bradford Dale walk (continued)  At the clapper bridge, cross over the river, and continue on the other side.  About 400 yards from the clapper bridge, there is a dam, and a widening of the river, which was constructed in the 1930s, to provide bathing facilities for the village of Youlgrave.

 Continue to the road, and then return.

Youlgreave (map spelling) or Youlgrave (local spelling) ("yool-grayv")  This is about 1·5 miles northeast of Middleton, at 210643.  Its local nickname is 'Pommy', and was once an important lead-mining and market town. It was granted a market charter in 1340.  A de4nite derivation of 'Pommy' seems to be unknown.  The spelling of the village name is greatly argued. However, it is thought to originate from 'yellow grove'.  Old Hall is a private residence on the north side of Main Street. It was built about 1640, and has stone mullion windows.  Old Hall Farm is in the road behind Old Hall. It was built in 1630, and has recently been restored.  The Fountain or Conduit Head  This is at the centre of the village, and is a gritstone tank, which was built in 1829. It supplied the village with water at the cost of 6d a year.  The tank holds 1,500 gallons of water, piped from Mawstone Spring - about 0·6 mile away.  In 1869, water was piped to 10 taps around the village, and eventually to individual properties.  Youlgrave Waterworks Limited is still an independent company, owned by the villagers.  The Youth Hostel is the old 1887 Co-op - opposite the Conduit Head.  It retains the glass advertisements for groceries, provisions, draperies and clothing.  Thimble Hall  This tiny building is adjacent to the Conduit Head. In 2000, The Guinness Book of Records proclaimed that it is the world's smallest detached house. It has previously been a shop for a butcher and a baker, and a family home.  Church of All Saints  Original parts of this date back to between 1130 to 1150. Most of it was constructed in the 1400s.  The solid stone font is most unusual. It is a standard bowl shape, but has a small stoop on one side, to contain oil. The oil stoop has the 4gure of a salamander carved below - the only one in England. The salamander is a European sign.  The small tomb in the centre of the chancel is also unusual. The ef4gy in alabaster is to Thomas Cokayne, who was killed in a teenage brawl in 1488, in Warwickshire.

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Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 60 Day 9 (continued) Alport  This is about 0·75 mile east of Youlgreave, at 222646.  The name was corrupted from The Old Portway Road through the settlement. 'Al' was the Saxon word for 'old'.  It is a tiny hamlet, popular with artists.  Monk's Hall is an attractive 1600s gable-fronted house.

Lower Lathkill Dale walk  This starts from the bridge at Alport, at 220646.  It is a loop walk, and can be varied in length from 4 miles up to 6·5 miles.  It is a beautiful walk, with the options of various sections, which provide good variety.  Lathkill Dale is considered to be as beautiful as Dove Dale, but it is less crowded.  The upper parts of the Dale are within a National Nature Reserve.  Take the footpath on the left bank of the River Lathkill, heading upstream. Walk for about 1 mile, following the river, through meadows to a road. Note this position, as you will be returning to it.  Turn right, down the road for about 200 yards.  Conksbury Bridge  This is an ancient crossing place, (rst recorded in 1269.  Conksbury means Crane's or Crannuc's forti(ed place, and indicates the site of an iron age fort, or medieval village.  This ancient bridge has a weir upstream, and a rounded rampart on the downstream side.  Cross the bridge and take the footpath to the left, along the north bank.  About 300 yards ahead, there is a valley into the Dale from the south, which was the site of a medieval village.

 There are various options here: A. Walk up to Over Haddon, ascending about 200 feet. B. Walk further upstream to Mandale Mine and aqueduct, which is level. C. Walk back via Meadow Place Grange, ascending about 200 feet. D. Walk back the way you have come, which is level.  Over Haddon  This is about 0·25 mile (0·5 mile return) from the clapper bridge.  It is about 800 feet above sea level, set on the north side of Lathkill Dale, with wonderful views to Youlgreave and beyond.  It was a lead mining village in the 1800s. Iron pyrites (fool's gold) was also discovered in the area, and there has also been a corn mill here.  There are public toilets here.  Return to the clapper bridge.

Lower Lathkill Dale walk (continued)  Mandale Mine  This is about 0·5 mile upstream from the clapper bridge.  The remnants of the housing for the 1847 steam-powered engine can be seen.  Prior to the steam-powered engine, power was provided by water. The water arrived from across the dale by aqueduct, then in a short water-course, before dropping onto the 35 feet diameter overshot waterwheel.  The power from both sources was used to pump water out of the mine. The steam-powered engine produced greater power than water-power, and allowed mining at greater depths.  The mine entrance can be seen above the housing, protected by a safety gate.  Returning to the path, and continuing upstream, after about 200 yards, there are the remains of the stanchions of the early-1840s aqueduct across the dale.  Return to the clapper bridge.  Meadow Place Grange  This is about 0·25 mile, having walked over the clapper bridge and up through the woods.  The layout of this farm is of the classic 'grange' design, with the farm buildings surrounding a courtyard.  This Grange was built as part of the foundation of Leicester Abbey.  From the courtyard of Meadow Place Grange, take the farm drive left, past the pond, down to the road - a distance of about 0·5 mile.  At the road, turn left and after about 250 yards, turn right onto your original footpath, above Conksbury Bridge.

Stanton in Peak  This is about 1 mile east of Alport, at 242643.  It is a quaint village, set steeply on a hillside, with the estate of Stanton Hall, owned by the Thornhill family.  In contrast, there is much dis4gurement in the local areas, on and around Stanton Moor, from quarrying.

Nine Ladies Stone Circle walk  This starts about 0·25 mile east of Stanton in Peak, at 246642.  It is an easy 1·25 miles return walk, along a fairly level, sandy path through birch woods.  The walk can be extend by another 1·5 miles return, to the 15 feet high Cork Stone, with good views over open moorland.

 Stanton Moor has about 70 stones, cairns and circles - the best and most famous are Nine Ladies Stone Circle, and the nearby, solitary King Stone.  In the early-1900s, many some of the barrows and cairns were excavated by a father and son team - JC and JP Heathcote.  It is believed this was the early Bronze Age burial site of the remains of 300-400 people.  Legend has it that nine ladies and a (ddler came here to dance on a Sunday. For their sacrilege, they were turned to stone, and became the 50 feet diameter stone circle.

Nine Ladies Stone Circle walk (continued)  The square Earl Grey Tower is about 300 yards east of Nine Ladies Stone Circle - on Stanton Moor Edge.  It was erected by the Thornhill family of Stanton Hall, in honour of Earl Charles Grey, the Whig (Conservative) Prime Minister who changed the democratic system with his Reform Act of 1832. The Act created Parliamentary Constituencies.  On another occasion, Earl Grey sent a diplomat to China, where he saved the life of a Chinese Mandarin. In gratitude, the Mandarin sent some tea with the fragrance of bergamot. Earl Grey's guests enjoyed the tea, and the blend was put into production. The tea was not given the diplomat's name!

Birchover  This is about 1·5 miles south of Stanton in Peak, at 239622.  Stanton quarry is just outside the village, and is the source of pink sandstone, used for building some local houses. It has also been used in the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London.  Rowtor Rocks  These are accessed about 200 yards down a small lane beside The Druid Inn.  There is then a small path to the right, leading up into the woods, and winding around the rocks.  These are an unusual collection of eroded gritstone rocks.  At one time there were various rocking, balanced stones, but most were vandalised in 1799.  The stone pillar on the summit once had a weather- vane, but this was also vandalised in 1799.  Many of the rocks have been carved over the centuries.  There are two carved chambers - one is 16 x 12 feet.  There are steps and seats, some of which were carved by Thomas Eyre, a religious man who lived at Rowtor Hall, which was demolished in 1869.  It is thought Thomas Eyre did his carvings about 1689. He also built the small chapel in the lane for his private use. He died in 1717.

Overnight around Buxton

Today - an ancestral home, an old mill, some historic carriages, and perhaps a walk to see Nelson's Monument.

Approximate miles = 55 Today's map number - 119

Leave Buxton east on the A6 (T) road.

Haddon Hall  This is about 12 miles southeast of Buxton, on the A6 road, at 235664.  It is necessary to park on the opposite side of the A6 road. Care should be taken when crossing the road on foot.

 Peverel and his family owned Haddon Hall for 100 years, as a hunting lodge.  Peverel was the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror.  It then passed into the Vernon family for 400 years, and they re-built much of the Hall.  In 1567, it passed through marriage to the Manners family. It still remains with this family.  The Manners family later became the Dukes of Rutland.  In 1640, the then Duke of Rutland moved the main residence to Belvoir ("bee-ver") Castle in Leicestershire.  During the late-1900s, the Manners family carried out a major restoration programme, with attention to accuracy and detail.  The magni4cent building is built around a large, sloping courtyard.  The battlements around the roof were constructed for effect, and not intended to be defensive.  A 12 foot high perimeter wall was constructed as part of the original building. However, that wall has been absorbed into the structure, as the various alterations were carried out.  The Chapel of St Nicholas dates from the 1100s.  The inside of the Hall has superb oak panelling, tables, chests and other furniture.  Essential rooms are the Great Hall, kitchen, bakehouse, dining room, great chamber, and a long gallery, which was used by ladies for exercise during inclement weather.  There are wonderful terraced rose gardens, which were designed in the 1500s. The setting is beautiful, with the grounds sloping down to the River Wye.  It has been used as a location for many 4lms, including Elizabeth, The Prince and the Pauper, Jane Eyre, and Moll Flanders.

Rowsley ("rohws-lee")  This is about 1·5 miles east of Haddon Hall, at 258658.  Greater Rowsley is a village of gracious houses - owned mostly by the Duke of Rutland.  Caudwell's Mill and Craft Centre  This is accessed from Woodhouse Lane, which is opposite the 1600s Peacock Hotel.  It is a water-powered roller Iour mill, with water from the River Wye. There is also a water turbine producing electricity for the mill.  Prior to milling with rollers, Iour was milled with mill stones. Milling with rollers, which rotated at different speeds, revolutionised the process, producing 4ner and better Iour, much faster.  It operated commercially from 1874 until 1978, producing Iours and animal feed. There has been a mill on this site for over 400 years.  It now produces specialist Iours.  The mill is open to visitors, and has many detailed and informative displays and models on four Ioors.  Much of the machinery can be seen working, and dates from around 1900.  There are many roller mills, together with puri4ers, sifters, hoists and other associated machinery.  There are various craft workshops in the mill outbuildings.  Peak Village  This is an outlet park, with a variety of shops.  It was constructed on the site of an old industrial estate, and is centred around the original 1849 railway station.  Peak Rail  This is a preserved steam railway, which operates between Rowsley South station and Matlock Riverside station.  The railway between Matlock and Buxton was closed in 1968, being part of the main line from London to Manchester.  In 1975, enthusiasts planned to re-open the line.  In 1991, the line was opened between Matlock and Darley Dale.  In 1997, the line was extended to Rowsley.  Eventually, it is hoped to continue to Buxton.  Trains - usually steam-powered - operate to provide rides each Sunday, and on additional days during the summer.  Parking is easier at Rowsley, than at Matlock.

Red House Stables Working Carriage Museum  This about 3 miles southeast of Rowsley, at 276623.  It is in Old Road, Darley Dale, just off the A6 road.

 It has a wonderful collection of about 30 carriages, and associated equipment. It is considered to be one of the best collections in Britain.

Red House Stables Working Carriage Museum (continued)  There is a Stage Coach, Royal Mail Coach, and one of the few remaining Hansom Cabs.  Carriages are regularly used on the roads.  There is a large variety of harnesses and tack, together with coach horns, travelling chests and boxes.  There are about 20 horses and ponies, which work with the carriages.  Carriage rides are available.  Very many 4lms have used vehicles from here, including Women in Love, Sons and Lovers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Far from the Madding Crowd, Sense and Sensibility, and Peak Practice.

Beeley  This is about 3·5 miles north of Red House Stables Working Carriage Museum, at 266676.  It is necessary to return through Rowsley.  It is a quaint village, set on the hillside, and a pleasant place to wander.  The road, which runs uphill from the Devonshire Arms has a stream with small weirs, and bridges across to the houses.  In 1747, the Devonshire Arms was converted to a coaching inn, having been three cottages.

Note: You will be passing through Chatsworth Park as you travel to Baslow. This, and other features are included in Day 12.

Baslow  This is about 3 miles north of Beeley, at 252724.  It is set in on the River Derwent, with Baslow Edge to the north, and the landscaping of Chatsworth Park to the south.  The village is made up of 4ve areas, called 'Ends' - Nether End, Bridge End, Over End, Far End and West End.  The 1600s three arched bridge over the River Derwent has a toll house, which has a 3.5 feet high doorway.  It is thought the doorway was once a more normal size, when the road surface was much lower.

 Church of St Anne  The short, 1300s steeple has two clocks. On the north side, there is a 1759 square clock with Roman numerals. On the east side, there is a round clock with 'Victoria 1897' in place of the numerals.  There is a unique whip in a glass-covered case, next to the south entrance door. It was used by the 'dog-whipper' to drive out stray dogs from services.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 66 Day 10 (continued) Birchen Edge walk  This starts at the Birchen Edge parking area, next door to The Robin Hood Inn, at 281723.  It is a 2 miles loop walk. The path rises slowly below Birchen Edge, and then returns along the top. Overall, it ascends 350 feet.  It involves a very small amount of clambering up and down rough parts of the path, but it should not deter the walker with appropriate footwear.  Leave the parking area onto the road, and walk about 75 yards uphill, to the start of the footpath on the left.  Walk north on the footpath for about 1 mile, keeping to the path below Birchen Edge.  Nelson's Monument - a stone pillar - will be seen above on the Edge.  Continue walking along the path for between 100 and 200 yards, and take one of the various paths up onto the Edge.  Turn right when you are onto the Edge, and walk back towards Nelson's Monument.  The monument was erected in 1810, to celebrate Admiral Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish navies, at the Battle of Trafalgar, in 1805.

 (About 1·25 miles northwest of Nelson's Monument is Wellington's Monument, in the form of a stone cross, on Baslow Edge. It is unlikely to be seen from Birchen edge, as it is hidden by trees. Its building, in 1866, was organised by Lieutenant Colonel Doctor Wrench, from Baslow, who had served in Wellington's regiment. He wished to celebrate Wellington's victory over the French army, at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.)  Continue to walk in the same direction along the Edge.  About 50 yards southeast of the Nelson's Monument, there are the rocks of The Three Ships - looking similar to ships. Their names are carved on the rocks - Victory, De(ant and Royal Sovereign (carved as 'Soverin').  Continue to walk in the same direction along the Edge, on a narrow, but clear path. The path eventually drops down to the original path, and back to the parking area.

Overnight around Buxton

Silk, an ancient place of worship, strange-shaped rocks, and the home of forged money today.

Approximate miles = 60 Today's map numbers - 119 & 118

Leave Buxton southwest on the A5 road. After about 2 miles, take the A54 road, and after a further 2 miles, take the A537 road.

Cat & Fiddle Inn  This is about 4 miles southwest of Buxton, on the A537 road, at 001719.  It was built in 1820 for the coaching trade, and is very isolated - often being cut off in snowy weather.

 It is the second highest pub in England, at 1,690 feet.  The highest pub in England is claimed to be Tan Hill Inn, near Richmond, in North Yorkshire, at 1,732 feet.

Macclesfield ("mak-uls-feeld")  This is about 6 miles west of the Cat & Fiddle Inn, at 910735.  Follow signs for Town Centre, and then for Heritage Centre.  It is best to park in one of the parking areas off Churchill Way, being close to the silk history buildings.  It is a market town, but is most famous for silk.  Production of silk-covered wooden buttons began in the 1500s, as a cottage industry.  In 1743, silk-weaving commenced in a purpose-built mill.  By 1824, there were 70 mills, and eventually there were over 120 mills.  It became the most important silk-weaving area in England.  In the late-1800s, French silk was allowed into the country, and the industry fell into decline. Many workers emigrated to America.  Silk is called the 'Queen of Fibres', as it has many qualities, including texture, lustre, strength, warmth and less weight than similar materials.  It is derived from the cocoon of the silk worm, which lives for about 6 weeks eating mulberry leaves, before spinning its cocoon for about 2 days.  Within the cocoon, the worm becomes a pupa. In the normal life-cycle, a moth would hatch from the pupa, live for 2 days producing eggs, and then die. The eggs then hatch into silk worms - so completing the life-cycle.  The food of the silk worm is cellulose - the cell structure of the mulberry leaves. This provides the properties of silk. The man-made 4bre of rayon is also based on cellulose.  Over 600 cocoons are required to make suf4cient silk for a blouse.

Macclesfield (continued)  Confusingly, there are various museums, with at least two being called 'Silk Museum'.  Heritage Centre  This is in Roe Street, which is off the lower section of Churchill Way.  A former Sunday School, dated 1813, this houses the Silk Museum, a shop, a small restaurant, and many function rooms.  Silk Museum  This is accessed through the shop.  It portrays the history of silk in Maccles4eld, and has many exhibits of silk products.  Macclesfield School of Art - Silk Museum  This is in Park Lane - about 400 yards from the Heritage Centre. Easy walking instructions are provided at the Heritage Centre.  It houses a large exhibition about the properties of silk, the lives of the workers, and has many items of machinery and associated equipment. It also has a shop.  Paradise Silk Mill  This is in the building next to the Maccles4eld School of Art - Silk Museum.

 Guided tours to visit this commence at the Maccles4eld School of Art - Silk Museum.  It was the last handloom silk weaving business in Maccles4eld. It specialised in silk neck-ties, and closed in 1981.  It is now a museum of handlooms and other machinery, including 26 restored Jacquard handlooms, and is shown as if in the 1930s.  The Jacquard loom used punch-cards to determine the weaving pattern.

Lud's Church walk  This starts about 7 miles southeast of Maccles(eld, at the Gradbach parking area, at 998663.  It is a 2·5 miles return walk, ascending about 300 feet. It follows the attractive River Dane, and then rises through woods with views across the Dane Valley.  From the parking area, walk west along the road, and then down the drive to Gradbach Youth Hostel (YHA). The public footpath is along this driveway.

 Gradbach Youth Hostel is housed in a converted 1785 mill. It was a water-powered silk mill for 100 years, until it closed in 1885.  There has been a mill on the site since 1640, and at one time it milled Aax.

Lud's Church walk (continued)  At Gradbach Youth Hostel, walk through the grounds, keeping the River Dane to your right.  Take the short path up to a stile. Cross the stile, continue along the path for a further 100 yards, and then go right through another stile, onto a lower footpath.

 Follow the footpath in the same direction for about 300 yards.  At a sharp left turn in the path, go straight ahead, through a stile in the wall.  Turn right, and walk down to a footbridge over Black Brook.  Across the footbridge, follow the (rst signpost for Danebridge and Swythamley.  After about 50 yards, follow the second signpost for Swythamley.  After a further 30 yards - sharply uphill - bear right onto a wide path.  Walk uphill through Forest Wood for about 600 yards.  At a large rocky outcrop, take a path to the left, signposted for Lud's Church.  Follow this path for about 250 yards, and the entrance to Lud's Church is on the right.  Lud's Church is an unusual, deep and narrow chasm in the hillside. The winding cleft stretches for about 150 yards, and is up to 60 feet deep.  It does not receive much direct sunlight, and there are many varieties of moss, lichen and ferns.

 It was a secret place of worship for Wycliffe's Lollards in the late-1300s.  John Wycliffe (1330-1384) believed that the Bible had supreme authority, clergy should not own property, and that the established Church was not necessary.  Wycliffe's followers were called Lollards, because of their quiet chanting - or lollen. They were often more extreme in their beliefs.  The name may be a corruption of the name Sir Walter de Lud- Auk, who preached here in the 1300s.  It is also thought to have been a setting for poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  The anonymous poem tells of chivalry at King Arthur's Court. Sir Gawain volunteers to cut off the unknown Green Knight's head, but has to suffer the same fate after one year. A beautiful princess is also involved, but all ends well.  Lud's Church is thought to be the Green Chapel, and the nearby (original) Swythamley Hall is the Green Knight's Castle.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 70 Day 11 (continued) The Roaches  This is an area about 3 miles south of Gradbach, at around 010615 to 000635.  The Roaches is an area of unusual rock formations, including Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks.

 These formations dominate the southwestern area of the Peak District, rising high above the surrounding lower, wide valleys, including Tittesworth Reservoir.  The gritstone formations were produced when the previously horizontal sedimentary layers were forced upwards at strange angles.  The name comes from the French 'Les Roches', meaning 'The Rocks'. It was the imaginative name given by French prisoners, during the Napoleonic Wars of the early-1800s.  The area is popular with rock climbers, and also with walkers, although parking areas are rather inadequate.  Spectacular views around the area can be enjoyed by driving the almost 'oval-shaped' road system from:  Ramshaw Rocks at 019619, to Hazel Barrow at 017635, then going north to Roach End at 995645, and 4nally south to Upper Hulme at 014608.

The Roaches walking area  A good place to start to enjoy walking around The Roaches, is at parking areas around 004622.  See above for details of The Roaches area.  The area has many footpaths, particularly around Hen Cloud and up onto the long ridge of The Roaches.  It is suggested that visitors should walk as much or as little as required, but as the paths can be misleading, it is best to return the way you have travelled.  A good walk with spectacular views over the surrounding areas is to head straight up the clear, wide path from the parking area at 004622.  From the parking area to the ridge is an ascent of about 500 feet.  After about 200 yards, bear left (north) towards the unusual building called Rock Hall.  Rock Hall was a former gamekeeper's home, built into the rocks. It became the home of an unusual character, who called himself 'Lord of The Roaches'.

 It is now a private overnight retreat for climbers, and is dedicated as the 'Don Whillans Memorial Hut'.  Don Whillans was a well-loved climber, who died from a heart attack in 1985.

The Roaches walking area (continued)  Pass to the front of Rock Hall, and keep heading north and uphill into the woodland.  Eventually, a clear path goes up onto the long ridge of The Roaches. Take this path, and go up onto the ridge.  From the top, walk to the north or south, and enjoy the wonderful views all round.  Return the same way that you have walked.

Mermaid Inn  This is about 3 miles east of The Roaches, at 037605.  There are excellent views from here towards The Roaches, including Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks, and also of Tittesworth Reservoir.

Flash  This is about 3·5 miles north of Mermaid Inn, at 025673.  At 1,518 feet, this is England's highest village.  A gang operated here in the 1700s, making counterfeit money, using button-making presses. This was the origin of the slang term of 'Iash' for forged money.

Axe Edge Moor  This is about 2 miles north of Flash, at 028705.  There are good views, from the top of the moor, to the Welsh hills and to The Wrekin - a hill in Shropshire.  From the A53 road, there are good views to the south and east.  It is very wet for walking - it is a watershed, and the source of 4ve rivers.

Overnight around Buxton

See how the aristocracy of Britain live today. The estate village was re-designed from a pattern book!

Approximate miles = 45 Today's map number - 119

Leave Buxton east on the A6 (T) road.

Chatsworth  This is about 13 miles east of Buxton, at 260703.  Access is opposite Edensor village, at 254698.  It has been the family home of the Dukes of Devonshire since 1549.  The land was purchased by Sir William Cavendish for £600. He had been a Crown Commissioner for Henry VIII, and was well rewarded for work in the dissolution of the monasteries.  Building of the house originally started about 1552, and was completed by his widow, 'Bess of Hardwick'.  Major re-building was undertaken in the 1680s.  The exquisite 1680s house has 175 rooms, with over 30 rooms open to visit. They are beautifully furnished and decorated.  It has one of the world's 4nest private collections of art.  There are wonderful painted ceilings, together with beautiful furniture and wood-carvings.  The extensive grounds were landscaped by 'Capability' Brown.  The 290 feet high Emperor fountain is the second highest in Europe and gravity-fed.  The Cascade House has terraced steps with a waterfall.  The 105 acre garden has lakes, fountains and cascades, together with a maze, kitchen garden and rockeries.  There are many miles of walks within the gardens.

 The 1,000 acre park estate, outside the house and gardens, has free public access on footpaths.

Edensor ("en-sor")  This is about 0·75 mile west of Chatsworth, at 250698.  It is the estate village for Chatsworth, and was built in the 1830s by the 6th Duke of Devonshire, because the previous village spoiled the view from Chatsworth House.  No two houses are of the same design. They were chosen from an architectural pattern book.

Edensor (continued)  Church of St Peter  This was consecrated in 1866 on the site of a previous church, and incorporates some features transferred from the church which was to be demolished.  The churchyard has many graves of the Cavendish family in a plot to the left, at the top of the gravel path.  One grave is for Kathleen, the Marchioness of Hartington. She was the widow of the Marquess of Hartington, who was killed in action.  She was also the sister of the USA President John F Kennedy. In 1948, she died in an aeroplane crash in France, aged 28.  In front of the headstone, an inscribed stone, commemorates the occasion when President Kennedy visited the grave in June 1963.  The Cavendish Chapel is on the south side of the chancel and contains many details of the Cavendish family of Chatsworth.

Pilsley  Chatsworth Farm Shop  This is about 1 mile northwest of Edensor, at 242708.  It was formerly the Chatsworth Shire Horse Stud, built in 1910. In 1985, it was reopened as a food shop, together with other smaller retail outlets. The food is high quality, and mostly British.

Overnight around Buxton

More pretty villages today, the wonderful story of Eyam, and the keep of a castle over 800 years old.

Approximate miles = 35 Today's map numbers - 119 & 110

Leave Buxton east on the A6 (T) road.

Tideswell ("tiyds-wel")  This is about 6 miles northeast of Buxton, at 153758.  It is a large village, more like a town, but has a long history, dating well before the Domesday Book of 1086.  A market charter was granted in 1250, but there is no longer a weekly market. It was particularly used for trading wool and lead.  Edward I stayed here for three days in 1275, while hunting in his Royal Forest of the Peak.  It has been a centre of excellence for many skilled craftsmen over the centuries, including silk weaving, velvet cutting, stone masonry and wood carving.  Church of St John the Baptist  This is known as 'The Cathedral of the Peak'.  It was constructed between 1346 and 1390, with pro4ts from the wool and lead trades, and is almost unchanged since it was built.

 It has much pointed architecture, especially on its tower. It has been described as a perfect example of a church in the perpendicular style, and is beautifully proportioned.  There is much excellent wood-carving inside the church.  There are many old and interesting buildings, together with narrow lanes and quaint alleyways.

Litton  This is about 1 mile southeast of Tideswell, at 163752.  It is an attractive village with a long green, and many old cottages and houses.  One of the old cottages is dated 1639.  Near the cross is The Clergy House, dated 1723. Almost opposite is Hammerton Hall, dated 1768. These were both built during the wealthy times of the lead mining boom.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 75 Day 13 (continued) Foolow  This is about 2 miles northeast of Litton, at 192768.  It is an attractive village, having a green with a cross, a bull-baiting stone, a pond, and a well.  The 1300s cross was originally close to the Wesleyan Reform Chapel, but was moved onto the Green in 1868.  The bull-baiting stone is a Iat stone with an iron ring to tether the bull. Bull-baiting became illegal in 1835.

Eyam ("eem")  This is about 2 miles east of Foolow, at 220765.  It has had various industries over the centuries - cotton spinning, silk- weaving, lead mining and shoe making. The shoe making business closed in 1979.  Water-troughs  In 1588, Colonel Francis Bradshaw constructed a public water supply for the village.

 About 12 stone water-troughs were set in suitable places, fed by a spring. Humans took water from the spout, and animals drank from the troughs.  The system was one of the 4rst public water supplies in England.  The remains of some of the troughs can still be seen.  It is the famous Plague village, where 260 people from 76 families died between 7th September 1665 and 1st November 1666 - about 80% of the village population.  The Plague  This is also referred to as the Bubonic Plague, the Black Death, and the Pestilence.  The names refer to painful, black 'buboes' or boils, which develop around the neck, armpits and groin.  It swept through Europe, starting in Sicily, and was carried by Ieas on rats. A second type of infection could be caught from the breath of an infected person, or from a sneeze. There is still no cure for the disease.  Almost everybody died, of those who caught the infection.  However, it has been discovered that people with a particular gene, called Delta 32, did not die.  Those who had the gene from both parents, did not contract the Plague at all. Those who had the gene from only one parent, could contract the Plague, but survived.  It has also been discovered that people with the Delta 32 gene do not contract the modern disease of AIDS.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 76 Day 13 (continued) Eyam (continued)  The nursery rhyme 'Ring-a-ring-a-roses / A pocket full of posies / Atishoo! Atishoo! / We all fall down' refers to red marks, Iowers to ward off the evil spirits, and the fatal sneezes.  A modern theory suggests that the Plague at Eyam was a viral infection, and was not spread by rat Ieas. In addition to having buboes, the victim also suffered internal organs turning to liquid, indicated by coughing up blood.  Church of St Lawrence  This is in Church Lane, at 219765.  The churchyard has a Celtic cross from the 700s AD, and one marked grave from the Plague - that of Catherine Mompesson, the Rector's wife, who died in August 1666.  Most of the Plague victims had no funeral, but were buried close to their homes.

 It also has an unusual 1775 wall sundial over the priest's door. It has signs of the zodiac, months, longitude degrees, and the time in various cities around the world.

 Original parts of the church date from about 1150, but it was much enlarged in 1868. There are two fonts - one Saxon and one Norman. There are interesting wall paintings, dating from 1580 to 1620.  There are informative exhibits about the Plague.  During the Plague, services were taken in the open air at Cucklet Delf, about 0·5 mile south of Eyam.  It is a natural limestone cave / arch. It is on private land, and not available to visit.  A Plague Commemoration Service is held at Cucklet Delf on the last Sunday in August each year.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 77 Day 13 (continued) Eyam (continued)  Plague Cottages  The most famous of these are about 100 yards to the left (west) of the church, in Church Lane.  It was the site of the 4rst Plague infection, arriving with some cloth in a box - delivered to a journeyman tailor, who was lodging at the cottage.

 Various other cottages of the Plague victims are around the village, including across the road, and just to the left. Between the Plague Cottages and Eyam Hall, there are some water-troughs.  Eyam Hall  This is about 200 years to the left (west) of Plague Cottages, in Church Lane.  The home of the Wright family was built in 1671, and is open to visit in June, July and August each year, with guided tours.  An unusual feature is a room entirely decorated with tapestry.  There is a craft centre in the old farm buildings, with various trades. Between the Eyam Hall and Eyam Museum, there are more water-troughs.  Eyam Museum  This is about 400 yards northwest of Eyam Hall, in Hawkhill Road, within a converted Methodist Chapel.  Continue along Church Lane, then turn right.  It tells the story of the development of the Plague at Eyam, together with the so-called cures, statistics and anecdotes.  It is generally not open on Mondays.  Mompesson's Well  This is about 0·75 mile north of Eyam, at 223773.  The well was a place where food was left by surrounding villagers during the Plague.

 Payment for the food was made by leaving coins in vinegar - for sterilisation.  William Mompesson was the Rector of Eyam. He closed the village to isolate it, and stop the spread of the Plague.

 There is no parking area, or turning place close to the graves. It is best either to walk from Eyam village, or to park at the beginning of the very narrow road / track, which starts at 224765 - from here it is a 0·7 mile return walk, ascending about 120 feet.  The enclosure has the graves of members of the Hancocke family, who lived at nearby Riley House Farm.  John Hancocke, the father, was buried within a stone tomb.  Three sons and three daughters all have individual headstones.  They all died within eight days of each other, in August 1666.  The mother and one remaining child survived, and subsequently left the area.

Castleton  This is about 4 miles northwest of Eyam, at 150830.  Note: As two (or three) nights will be spent in Castleton, items of interest may be spread over the days here.

 Mining for lead and Blue John have been important industries in the past, together with cotton weaving and rope making.  Brides in the town used to be presented with a locally-made washing-line.  Church of St Edmund  Originally built in Norman times, this church still has box pews dated between 1661 and 1722, but was extensively altered in 1837. The Norman chancel and tower also remain.

 There is a copy of a 1609 'Breeches' Bible.  In Genesis, chapter 3, verse 7, there is reference to Adam and Eve realising they were naked, and so made themselves 'breeches' from 4g leaves. Later versions of the Bible referred to aprons, rather than breeches.  Castleton Hall was built in the 1600s. It is in the Square, at the end of Castle Street, and is now a Youth Hostel.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 79 Day 13 (continued) Castleton (continued)  Garland Day  This takes place here on Oak Apple Day - May 29th. It commemorates the restoration of Charles II.  The pubs in the village take the duty in turn each year, to build the Garland in the shape of a crinoline, with a posy on top - called the 'Queen'.  On the day, the garland is built. In early evening, the procession is led by the Garland King, wearing the Iower- covered garland frame. It is paraded through the village and eventually hauled up the church tower, where it is left to deteriorate with the weather. The 'Queen' is placed on the war memorial.  The signi4cance of the church tower started in 1897, when the act showed the villagers' appreciation of the bell-ringers.  There is dancing around a Maypole (which is erected just for the day) in the market place.  Caverns  All of these differ in some way.  Titan Cavern  This is in Hope Valley and is the largest in the UK.  Its discovery was announced in 2006 after a seven- year excavation. It is not currently open to the public.  Peak Cavern  This is in Castleton, at 148826, and is best accessed from the parking area on the A6187 road.  It has the largest natural cave entrance in Britain, being 50 feet high and 100 feet wide. A tributary of the River Derwent - Peaks Hole Water - emerges here. The entrance chamber has the remains of a village, whose inhabitants made ropes for the lead- mining industry, 400 years ago. It has an unusual feature, called the Devil's Arse!  An episode of the BBC series The Chronicles of Narnia, (or The Silver Chair) by C S Lewis, was 4lmed here.  Speedwell Cavern  This is about 1 mile west of Castleton, at 139827, at the foot of Winnats Pass.  A mine opened in 1771, with an investment of £14,000, but closed in 1790, having only mined £3,000 of lead ore.  The tour goes onto a boat on an underground canal, and goes to a massive cavern containing a lake called the Bottomless Pit.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 80 Day 13 (continued) Castleton (continued)  Caverns (continued)  Treak Cliff Cavern  This is also about 1 mile west of Castleton, at 135832, on the now-closed road to Mam Tor.

 The hillside is claimed to be the only place in the world where Blue John stone has been found. The stone is a mixture of blue and yellow, and the name is thought to come from the French 'blue et jaune' (blue and yellow). It was mined extensively in the late- 1700s, and is still mined in small quantities. Tours show large veins of Blue John stone.  Blue John Cavern  This is next to Treak Cliff Cavern.  It has minor veins and varieties of Blue John stone, which are seen on a tour.  Peveril Castle  This is above Castleton at 149826.  Access is from the Square, opposite the end of Castle Street.

 It is about a 0·5 mile return walk to the Castle. The good concrete path ascends about 250 feet.  The original castle was built in 1086 by William Peverel, the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror. In 1176, it was rebuilt with a keep.  During the 1200s and early-1300s, it was used as a hunting lodge for the Royal Forest of the Peak.  It was never used in battle, but was used as a home until 1480.  There are various remains, particularly the 'keep'.  The keep is the original square tower, and is still almost at its original height.

 The walls extending from the keep, surrounded an area where there were other buildings.  These walls are called 'curtain walls', and the area within them is the 'bailey'.  The outlines of many of the buildings within the bailey can still be seen, including the Great Hall.  The north side of the curtain wall has a good example of early Norman herring-bone building.  It was used as a 4lm location for Ivanhoe.

Overnight around Castleton

The Eyre family features today, together with millstones, martyrs and good walks.

Approximate miles = 35 Today's map numbers - 110 & 119

Leave Castleton east on the A6187 road.

Hope  This is about 2 miles east of Castleton, at 172835.  Church of St Peter  This dates mainly from the 1300s. and was re-roofed with stainless steel in the 1970s. This unusual feature can be seen from Edale Road, which is opposite the church.  There are three ancient crosses in the churchyard, one of which is the market cross with six octagonal steps. The Saxon Cross is more likely to be Anglo-Norse, dating from the 1000s.  Pinfold  This is about 100 yards down Pindale Road, to the side of the church, and just after the bridge to the right.  Stray animals were impounded here by the 'Pinder', and they were released to the owner on payment of a 4ne.  Cement factory  This is south of the village and was built between 1920 and 1930.  Win Hill and Lose Hill  These hills are about 2 miles northeast and northwest of Hope.  According to legend, King Edwin of Northumbria won a battle in the area, in the 600s AD.

Hathersage  This is about 5 miles east of Castleton, at 230815.  In the 1800s, it was the centre of a needle and pin industry, and evidence of the old mills still remains.  The Eyre family  During the 1066 Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror was knocked from his horse - giving him breathing problems.  A man standing nearby, called Truelove, went to his aid. In gratitude, William re-named Trulove as 'Air', and gave him a piece of land.  Later in the battle, Air was injured, losing his leg and thigh. His family crest contains a leg and thigh.  Over the years, Air's name has become corrupted to Eyre.

Hathersage (continued)  The Eyre family (continued)  Robert Eyre married Joan Padley from Padley Manor.  In 1415, Robert went to 4ght for Henry V at Agincourt. In thanksgiving for her husband's safe return, Joan built a church in Stoney Middleton - 4 miles south. Robert eventually died in 1459.  Their oldest son, also called Robert, married Elizabeth Fitzwilliam. They lived at Highlow House, and had seven sons and two daughters.  Robert provided a large house for each of the seven sons, and contacted them by using Iags.  One of the houses, North Lees, was the inspiration for Thorn4eld Hall in Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.  Church of St Michael and All Angels  This is at 234818 - approached by taking the steep lane opposite the Scotsman's Pack pub.  Little John  This was the friend and lieutenant of Robin Hood. His grave is opposite the south porch, with a small, enclosed garden between two yew trees, 10 feet apart.

 In 1784, a 30-inch thigh bone was excavated from the grave, but has since been stolen.  The 1381 church has a decorated spire. The window behind the altar was rescued from the Church of St James and St John in the village of Derwent, before it was submerged in Derwent Reservoir, further north. It was installed here in 1949.  There are many monuments to the Eyre family within the sanctuary. The brass monuments have been duplicated, and are available for brass-rubbing.  It is thought that Charlotte Brontë used the local Eyre name for her book Jane Eyre. Hathersage may also have been the model for 'Morton' village in the book. The name of 'Morton' was taken from the name of the then landlord at The George Hotel.  David Mellor Cutlery  This is about 0·75 mile south of the town centre, on the B6001 road (towards Bakewell), at 233808.  This modern factory is set in a round building, aptly called The Round Building, which was built in 1990.  The site of the factory was previously a production centre for towns gas.  Coal was brought on the adjacent railway, and delivered to the building now called The Retort House. In the retort, it was heated to 1,000-1,200ºC for 5 to 6 hours, producing towns gas and coke.  The towns gas was then stored in a massive, cylindrical gasholder. The Round Building is on the site of the old gasholder.  The factory and retail shop are open to visit.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 83 Day 14 (continued) Bole Hill walk  This starts about1·5 miles southeast of Hathersage, at the Surprise View parking area, at 252801.  It is a 1·5 mile return walk, descending about 175 feet, with good views, abandoned millstones and a quarry.  Cross the A6187 road from the parking area, and go through a gate into a National Trust (eld.  Turn immediately right, and walk parallel with the road for about 300 yards.  Cross a style, and continue in the same direction for about 50 yards.  There is a magni(cent view of Hope Valley in front, with Derwent Valley to the left.

 Follow any of the paths downhill - tending to head towards the right - down to the obvious disused railway track-bed.  Turn left, and walk along the disused railway track-bed for about 0·25 mile.  Many millstones were produced in this area, from 2 to 7 feet in diameter. Abandoned millstones can be seen along the (rst part of the track.  Production of millstones ceased here in 1926, as they had become obsolete, in favour of the roller method of milling.

 The disused railway track-bed goes through attractive birch woods, with the vertical cliffs of Millstone Edge to the left.  At the end of the disused railway track-bed, take a narrow path downwards, and head in a generally right direction for about 0·25 mile.  At a plateau, there are ruins of some quarry buildings, and the remains of a solidly-built winch-head building.  Opposite the winch-head building, a steep incline goes down through a cutting. This was used to take stone down to Grindleford railway station, from where it was taken to build the Howden and Derwent Dams in the early-1900s.

continued...... Copyright © 2003 - 2021 itforit.com. All Rights Reserved 84 Day 14 (continued) Longshaw Estate  The parking area for this is about 1 mile east of the Surprise View parking area, at 267801. It is accessed from the B6055 road.  The Visitor Centre is in a building next to Longshaw Lodge, at 268799. It is 300 yards south of the parking area, along a path.  It is a country park of 1,600 acres, including the former 1827 shooting lodge of the Duke of Rutland.

 Longshaw Lodge (the former shooting lodge) has been converted into private residential apartments.  The meadow in front of Longshaw Lodge is the site of the 4rst British sheepdog trials - in 1898.  There are wonderful views across the open moorland, with its farms and woodland.  It is a good area for walking along easy, well-maintained paths.

Padley Chapel walk  This starts about 1·5 miles southwest of the Longshaw Lodge parking area, at Grindleford Station, in Upper Padley, at 250788.  It is a reasonably level 1 mile return walk, and although it is not particularly scenic, it has much Roman Catholic signi(cance.

 From the station, walk over the bridge, past Padley Mill, and continue along the wide track.  The 1893 Totley Tunnel can be seen to the right. It is 3·5 miles long - one of the longest in England - and connects Manchester with Shef(eld, up to 600 feet below the moorland.  The path goes to the ruins of the late-1300s Padley Hall, which was the manor house home of two Roman Catholic families.  Padley Hall had been the home of the Eyre family.  The last male Eyre had died in 1560, and left it to his daughter, Anne, who married Thomas Fitzherbert - and so Padley Hall passed to the Fitzherbert family.  Thomas Fitzherbert then rented the property to John Fitzherbert, his younger brother.

Padley Chapel walk (continued)  On the 12th July 1588, two Roman Catholic priests, Nicholas Garlick (aged 33) and Robert Ludlam (aged 36), were arrested at Padley Hall. They were taken to Derby, where they were tried for treason, and then hanged, drawn and quartered on the 24th of that month. According to records, the boiling pot for their intestines had not been prepared on time, so Nicholas Garlick gave a sermon to the crowds.  Members of the household were also arrested, including John Fitzherbert, who eventually died in November 1590, in Fleet Prison.  This was part of the late-1500s Roman Catholic persecution, which attempted to stop allegiance to the Pope, and force allegiance to the Monarch.  It was not illegal to be a Roman Catholic, but it was a treasonable offence to be a Roman Catholic priest, or to harbour one.  In 1891, the two priests were declared Venerable. In 1987, they were declared Blessed.  The terms Venerable and Blessed are used by the Roman Catholic faith. They are the two stages before being made a Saint.  The estate was sold in 1657, because of lack of money. The chapel building was then used as a barn.  In 1933, the Roman Catholic Nottingham Diocese bought the few remains of the buildings.  The gate house was restored, including the chapel.  The building had formerly been divided into separate sections, with a chapel on the upper Aoor - originally accessed by an outside stone staircase.  The altar table-top was discovered in 1933, about 6 feet below ground in the courtyard.  It had clearly been hidden in advance of the priests' arrest.  It was re- installed, and then re-consecrated in 1934.  A pilgrimage is made each year to this chapel, on the nearest Sunday to the 12th of July.  The chapel is open on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.

Curbar Edge walk  This starts about 4·5 miles southeast of Grindleford Station, at the Curbar Gap parking area at 262748.  It is a reasonably level return walk, and any amount provides excellent views.

 The gritstone edge extends for about 4 miles, taking in Baslow Edge to the south, and Froggatt Edge further to the north.  It is a popular area for walking, rock-climbing and hang-gliding.  There are wonderful views over the Derwent valley, including the villages of Curbar and Calver, and further to the moorlands in the north.  In Calver, the large 1805 cotton mill can be clearly seen next to the River Derwent. It was used as Colditz Castle in the 1970s TV series.

Overnight around Castleton

Don't miss the attractive, winding, upper reservoirs of Derwent and Howden. There's even a monument to a faithful dog.

Approximate miles = 80 (if ending at Ashbourne) Today's map numbers - 110 & 119

Leave Castleton east on the A6187 road.

Bamford  This is about 3·5 miles east of Castleton, at 208836.  The Church of St John the Baptist has a beautiful, slender spire, and worth admiring, whilst passing.

Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs  These are about 2 miles north of Bamford, at around 195865 (and continue further north).  They collect water from the River Derwent, River Ashop and other smaller sources. The water is then supplied to the close-by industrial areas, particularly Shef4eld.  This is an attractive system of reservoirs, particularly Derwent Reservoir and Howden Reservoir.  Unlike most reservoirs, which are wide expanses of water, these are narrow ribbons of water, winding around con4ned valleys.  The road generally follows the west side of the reservoirs, and is very popular with visitors.  During the summer, on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, the road is closed to private traf4c from about 0·25 mile south of Derwent Dam. At these times, public transport is provided.  Ladybower Dam  This is at 200855, and was opened in 1945.  During construction of this Y-shaped reservoir, the villages of Derwent and Ashopton were drowned.  Derwent Dam  This is at 173898, and was completed in 1916.

 It was used by Dr Barnes Wallis for experimenting with his 'bouncing bomb' during World War II, in conjunction with 617 Squadron. The perfected bomb was used to breach the Mohne and Eder dams in the German Ruhr Valley, in May 1943.  Much of The Dam Busters 4lm was shot here.

Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs (continued)  Derwent Dam (continued)  About 100 yards north of Derwent Dam, close to the road, is a monument to a dog, called Tip.  He was the 11-year-old faithful servant of his master, Joseph Tagg. They went for a walk in December 1953, and Joseph died. His body was found 15 weeks later, with Tip still close by - still alive, but in a weak, emaciated condition.

 Birchinlee Village ("ber-kin-lee")  This was at 166915, and was constructed purely for the workers who built the Derwent and Howden dams.  It was built in 1901, and mostly demolished after the work was completed.  A small amount of the village can still be seen, including stanchions for the temporary railway, which brought stone from a quarry at Bole Hill, near Hathersage.  Howden Dam  This is at 170925, and was completed in1912.  Above here, there are many rhododendrons, which are an attractive sight in about May and June.

Edale ("ee-dayl")  This is about 4 miles west of Ladybower Reservoir, at around 130850.  It is necessary to return through Bamford to the A6187 road, and then turn right (north) at Hope.  The vale of Edale is the wide valley of the River Noe, with 4ve small hamlets called 'booths'.  A booth (or bothie) was originally a shelter for shepherds, where they could take cover, when tending their animals.  The 4ve booths are (east to west): Nether Booth, Ollerbrook Booth, Grindsbrook Booth, Barber Booth and Upper Booth. Confusingly, Grindsbrook Booth is now called just 'Edale'.  It is a major centre for walking in the Dark Peak (High Peak) area of The Peak District.

Edale (continued)  Edale (Grindsbrook Booth)  This is at 124857, but there is extremely limited space for parking, and almost no turning place at the end of the village.  It is best to park at 124853, and walk into the village.  The Nag's Head was built in 1577. A former landlord, Fred Heardman, started a mountain rescue service, which eventually became the Peak District Mountain Rescue organisation.  It is the of4cial start of the 268-mile Pennine Way, which ends at Kirk Yetholm, just into Scotland.  A packhorse bridge spans Grinds Brook, about 100 yards to the right (east) of The Nag's Head.  It has low walls to allow room for large panniers, which carried lime, lead and stone to Cheshire - returning with cheese and salt.  Upper Booth  This is at 103853, but there is no parking area.  It is necessary to park about 0·75 mile south, at 105848 - about 300 yards north of the railway bridge.  Upper Booth is a popular place to start walking up to Kinder Scout, which is the highest point in the Peak District at 2,088 feet.

Kinder Scout  The summit of this is about 3 miles northwest of Edale, at 086875.  itforit does not recommended this particular walk, as it would normally require a day to be allocated. It is mentioned here, because of its fame and signi4cance to many people.  This almost Iat-topped, moorland summit has many famous features nearby, which can be accessed by walking up the very well maintained path.  Jacob's Ladder is a packhorse route, cut into the hillside by a farmer in the early-1600s.  Mermaid's Pool can give eternal life at certain times.  Kinder Downfall is the highest waterfall in The Peak District, and has dramatic spray in windy conditions.  The Woolpacks are collections of rounded gritstone tors.

Kinder Scout (continued)  Snake Pass (on the A57 road from Glossop to Shef4eld) can be seen about 3 miles to the north. It was once a turnpike (a toll road), built by Thomas Telford in 1821, following the old Roman road, which was called Doctor's Gate.  Doctor's Gate had fallen into disrepair, but was rediscovered in the 1500s by Dr Talbot, the vicar of Glossop - who was the illegitimate son of the Earl of Shrewsbury. He used the road to visit his father at Shef4eld Castle.  Snake Pass was named after the crest of the Cavendish family - the Dukes of Devonshire, of Chatsworth House.  Mass Trespass  In the 1930s, Kinder Scout and Bleaklow were out of bounds to walkers, as were many other areas. They were patrolled by gamekeepers, who preserved them for grouse shooting.  In 1932, a 'Mass Trespass' on Kinder Scout was organised, with about 400 ramblers. There were a few minor injuries, in scufIes with the gamekeepers, and 4ve ramblers were imprisoned for public order offences - but not for trespass.  The trespass caused negotiations to commence with the National Trust, and access restrictions eventually lifted.

Mam Tor  This is about 1 mile south of Edale, at 128836.  It is at the head of Hope Valley, and is known as the 'Shivering Mountain', as it has a history of frequent landslides on its unstable east face.

 A massive landslide closed the old A625 road at 135835 in 1977, and it has not been re-opened.  It is the site of the largest and highest Iron Age hill-fort (about 2,500 years ago) in the Pennines at 1,695 feet.

Winnats Pass  This is about 1 mile south of Mam Tor, at 135826.  It is a wonderful narrow gorge, with limestone outcrops, leading down past caverns to Castleton.

Overnight around Ashbourne  This is about 30 miles south of Winnats Pass, at 180468.  Note: The journey to Ashbourne could be avoided, by staying around Castleton for a further night.

Travelling day

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