Peak District walk (7) - Bradwell, Win Hill and Abney Moor

Date of walk: Mar 29th, 2012.  Distance: 13 miles.  Start: Lane by Hucklow Edge

An illustrated account of the walk, click on any picture to enlarge, or to view as a slideshow.

Win Hill - from Great Hucklow....  Not everyone's first thought as the starting point for this hill, but I found the whole round very enjoyable and satisfying.  It is not quite as long as some of the recent walks, but does include two considerable climbs, so after a gentle start becomes quite strenuous before easing off again near the end.  I am sure others might want to start somewhere else on the circuit, or go the other way round, but for me the walk worked well as described.  Rather than parking in the village, I found a space on the hill towards Bretton, just above the path I wanted down to Grindlow.

It was another glorious warm and sunny day in the remarkable month of March, 2012.  It came in like a lamb, is going out like a lamb as I write, and has been utterly lamb-like throughout - except that lambs would feel hard done to because of their boisterousness in comparison to the weather this month.  The day of the walk saw no need of gloves, hats or waterproofs even to be packed - there was just no question of cold or wet.

Grindlow is a little hamlet very close to Great Hucklow.  Right at the start of the path at the edge of the hillside wood it was spread out below as part of a lovely view.

View of Grindlow at the start of the walk

The path takes a sneaky route around the farm buildings after the walk down the open fields, reaching the lane at the far end of the hamlet.  A sharp right turn leads towards Great Hucklow.  I took a little path leading to the chapel on the lane entering from the south and wandered through the attractive village, thinking that Little Hucklow must be really small.  It does have a pub, for those who are interested in such establishments.

Village street and pub, Great Hucklow

At the west end of the village I turned sharp right along the track that leads to Burrs Mount, gaining a bit of height and the benefit of views.  A path then skirts the hillside directly to Quarters Farm and the main road to Bradwell at the entrance to Bradwell Dale.  The views across the valley to Little Hucklow are very attractive.

View across to Little Hucklow

The route across slanting gradually downwards across the fields to Quarters Farm is a little uncertain in places, but the walking is very easy.  I found myself dawdling around rather, just enjoying the beautiful day.  Approaching the road at Hazlebadge, I saw the first hang glider of the day high above to my right - Bradwell
Edge is a favourite place for devotees of this activity.  Bradwell Dale looked like an intriguing valley within a valley.  Hazlebadge Hall stands at the entrance where it begins to close in ahead.

Road entering Bradwell Dale from the south

At this point I decided, from the look of the ground ahead, to take the western path along the left hand edge of the valley as seen in the picture.  Being new territory to me, I wanted to try and pick out a route with good views.  This one certainly proved a good choice, keeping right to edge of the steep sided limestone valley for some distance.

Bradwell dale from the footpath

Taken up by the local landscape, I barely noticed the rather distant looking Win Hill in the background.  It will no doubt look lovely in a few weeks when the fresh leaves open on the trees.  It seems to be a place beloved of jackdaws - further on the air was full of their cries echoing around.  A little while after the point above, the footpath leaves the edge and crosses fields to Jeffrey Lane, which in turn draws closer to the edge near the white crag in the picture where the jackdaws resided.  Hungry Lane "unsuitable for motors" seemed the right choice for walking down into the village. I had been told that Bradwell is a good  place for photographers, so I was intrigued to be visiting for the first time.  And, indeed, I was captivated by what I saw, and quite surprised not to be more familiar with the place by name or through reading.  I wandered around for a while, following a little path right coming out on the main road near the church.  This provided great views over the village.  Then went by the church which was undergoing repairs, and turned by the stream to explore the clusters of old cottages on the hillside.  The thought of being on a long walk was all but forgotten for a while, and I was only sorry not to have longer to explore more thoroughly.  A short portfolio of pictures of Bradwell follows.

Overlooking Bradwell

Bradwell village scene

Spring arriving in Bradwell

Bradwell - the main street

Bradwell on the hillside above the stream

The White Hart, Bradwell

Village scene, Bradwell

Deciding I must move on, I was becoming convinced that I would not be able to complete the planned walk and still get home close to the agreed time.  Perhaps Win Hill would be lost, after all.  However, with little hope I set out along the back lane which leads directly to the village of Hope.  The lane passes through part of the quarrying area associated with the huge cement works that dominated the Hope valley.  At the Bradwell end there are a couple of pleasant lakes in a restored area, which provide private fishing and are lined with keep out and danger signs.  They look very pleasant from the lane.

Fishing lake and cement works, Hope valley

Most of the quarrying is screened by trees, but there is one point where the lane crosses a high bridge where the extent of the workings is made apparent.  Further on again, a path runs parallel to the lane towards the village of Hope, which I followed, stopping for a brief round of refreshments.  I briefly admired the church and the school, also noticing the views of Lose Hill and Mam Tor which I had walked a few weeks earlier, looking down on the village now being visited.  How much is to be gained by getting to know a new area through travelling on foot!  The map is gradually being covered, and a jigsaw of hills and dales, of villages and fields, is being put together in my mind.

Hope church

Hope primary school

I decided to press on to Twitchill Farm and take stock.  Crossing the river, and winding under the railway, the farm track to the next destination was opened up before me.  It was obviously a good way up the hillside, and I had not taken proper account of the contours on the map.  However, the climb was achieved quickly and it became clear that the schedule was not out by as much as feared.  Win Hill was firmly back on the agenda, and the timings from this point worked out just right.  Twitchill Farm is in a fine setting, and is partly given over to holiday accommodation which must be popular and enjoyable.

Below Twitchill Farm, looking up

Above Twitchill Farm, looking down

The whole climb is enjoyable, with a constant sense of the progress being made.  The views, both near and far, are outstanding.  Eventually the smooth pasture land gives way to wilder moorland and the gradient begins to ease, and the path rounds a shoulder into a new world.  The distinctive summit of Win Hill comes into view, still some distance ahead.

Towards the summit of Win Hill

Win Hill has many higher higher hills nearby, and is nowhere especially steep or dramatic, but it somehow has a most distinctive and winning character, although of course I was enjoying the privilege of walking on a one of the most perfect of days.   I was eager to reach the height of the fence on the left skyline, sensing that fresh views would open out.  They did, but were so much better still from the summit itself, which is a lovely little rocky ridge, seen end on in the picture above.  There were quite a few other people enjoying the day and no doubt agreeing that the top of Win Hill was a good place to be.

Path west of the summit Win Hill, view to Mam Tor

Win Hill view down to Ladybower Reservoir

The fresh views to the north were the most captivating, although the hills beyond the reservoir were a bit hazy and indistinct.  On a crisp day they must be quite stunning, but I had no complaints about the views I was treated to.  A brief refreshment stop was greatly enjoyed, and I hope some of the enthusiasm is being communicated by means of this report.  As I sat, the song of a skylark exulted in the freedom of the skies above the summit of Win Hill.

The descent east to the plantation is quickly accomplished.  At the path junction I turned right - the sign for Thornhill confirming the correct direction.  There are good views down the steep slopes.  Further along the path divides again, once more with a helpful sign, now indicating Aston, the destination wanted.

Footpath and sign on Win Hill

Some of the steepest ground on the hill is found at this southeastern corner.  One point provided an especially good bird's eye view of Bamford and the River Derwent.

Overlooking Bamford and the River Derwent, on Win Hill

The path soon rounds a shoulder and slants down the southern side of the hill, with Mam Tor once again coming into view.

The Aston path down Win Hill

Soon back onto the green pastures, I was treated more pleasant scenes, thankful for the capacity of the camera to at least capture lasting impressions for the sake of keeping the memory clear of the day.

A fine day on the lower slopes of Win Hill

Sheep, lamb and gate

Aston is a scattered hamlet or small village community on the lower south facing slopes of Win Hill, boasting a fine outlook and in a position to take advantage of any sunshine going.  I took a little path parallel to the lane and then headed down a quiet path through fields which crosses the railway line at Hope station.  From the bridge there is a classic view along the line with Lose Hill in the background.

Hope station and Lose Hill

Another short path across fields leads to the main road and a very short section before a path crosses a field to the bridge over the River Noe at Brough.  I was aiming for Brough Lane which was to form a considerable stretch of the route, although only the first bit is accessible to vehicles.

Weir on the River Noe, Brough

At the foot of Brough Lane

Brough Lane involves a considerable climb, eventually reaching almost 400 metres.  The earlier stages are the steepest, and higher up the gradient gradually eases.  It gradually dawned on me that the walk crosses the boundary between limestone and gritstone.  Win Hill is gritstone, with scenery more typical of the Dark peak than the White.  From the top of the track on the gritstone of Abney Mmoor I could look down on the village of Bradwell right by the limestone valley of Bradwell Dale.

Brough Lane and view to Win Hill

Overlooking Bradwell

The track leaves the crest of the hill, and the views are restricted for a while to the immediate surroundings and the top of Shatton Moor with the Hope valley transmitter.  Over Dale is steep sided but quite different to the nearby limestone valleys.  The surrounding moorland is also a contrast with the smooth upland grassland grazing of the limestone plateaus.  It is much more typical of the Pennine moorlands that stretch to the north.  Once the height is gained, the walking is very easy, especially on the grassy path across Abney Moor on leaving the walled lane.

Over Dale

Brough Lane

Towards the end of the long walk with the climbs involved, it was especially pleasant to cover the ground so easily.  The grassy path is obviously not over used, but I would imagine just nicely distinct enough to follow in poor conditions.

Brough Lane around the head of Over Dale

Path across Abney Moor, looking north

The path arrives at a lane near Abney Grange, and either the lane can be followed around the head the slopes above Bretton Clough, or a slightly more direct path cuts a corner, which is the route I took.  The glimpses of Bretton Clough suggest the area is worthy of closer exploration.  It was a bit of a surprise to see tractors cultivating the soil at an altitude of around 375 metres.

View to Bretton Clough

Upland cultivation at the head of Bretton Clough

The path reaches the lane just below the crest.  The crest is rounded among trees, with just a short path cutting back to the lane at the start of the walk, with expansive views over the limestone country to the south.  A good finish to a splendid walk, which once again can be wholeheartedly recommended.

Peak District walk (6) - Around Monyash and Lathkill Dale

Date of walk: 27th Mar, 2012.  Distance: 15.0 miles.  Start: lane west of Over Haddon.

This is an illustrated account of the walk, click on any picture to enlarge, or to view as a slideshow.

Having loved walking and the outdoors for almost as long as I can remember, combining walks with photography was spurred on by the introduction of digital cameras and especially by the discovery of the "Geograph" website.  Many of my walks are planned to visit different kilometre grid squares on the map, and this is an example where the route was affected.  I will refer to other options that would avoid some of the road walking, although in this instance the lanes concerned were no hardship to travel on foot.  It was a glorious warm, sunny day during a spell where temperature records were broken for March in Scotland.

The starting point was in or near Over Haddon, and I parked on a wide verge west of the village after discovering a £5 fee for parking in the village car park for more than four hours.  I left the lane at a walled track heading north up the higher slopes above Lathkill Dale.

View across Lathkill Dale

The slope soon eased to pleasant upland grazing land so typical of the area.  Once again I was to be in limestone country throughout the walk.  I crossed the B5055 between Bakewell and Monyash and crossed fields skirting Bole Hill Farm and the hill after which it is named.  There were views back into the light.  There were a few trees and narrow strips of woodland, no doubt planted as shelter belts.  It was very pleasant following the footpath across the higher ground.

Field and tree silhouette, Bole Hill

The path crosses through the southern end of one of the plantations with fresh views then opening over upper Kirk Dale.  There was a short descent down to the lane.  My walk meant passing through the grid square south of Magpie Mine, but as a landmark of considerable interest, with the added opportunity to use paths rather than roads, a recommendation would be to cross straight over visit the mines, and follow a path through Hard Rake Plantations merging with Horse Lane well on the way to Monyash.  I resisted and kept to the lanes.  There are, however, very good views of the whole complex of buildings at the historic site of industrial heritage at Magpie Mine.

The historic Magpie Mine (lead mine) from the south

These views enlivened the long straight stretch of lane.  When it arrived at the junction, the view along Horse Lane was most enticing.  It has lovely wide grass verges, and proved a joy to walk all the way to Monyash.  The wide views across the gently undulating upland grazing land were grand on such a fine day.

Horse Lane towards Monyash

The walking was quick and easy, and I had no concerns about covering the distance of 15 miles in a reasonable time.  The fine weather so early in the year meant that only the first few lambs of the season were in evidence.  Perhaps it will turn cold, perversely, over the next few weeks when many more lambs will no doubt begin to populate the fields.

A couple of early lambs

There were so many nice views along and around Horse Lane that it is not easy to narrow down the selection of photos.  It was interesting to see how the village of Monyash was gradually revealed in its shallow bowl in the gentle uplands.  They are gentle in terms of gradient, but can no doubt be harsh in cold or windy conditions.  At one point there was a particularly good view of the setting of the village around the church.

Monyash from Horse Lane

Eventually the lane arrives at the northern end of the village.  A little detour can easily be made to the village centre, either now or on the return route through the south end of the village, and is well worth while if time permits.  The route I was following headed west at the earliest opportunity along a little walled lane that heads to Cross Lane Farm.  The small walled fields give the landscape a particular character. A little path cut a corner reaching Cross Lane just north of the farm.

Small walled fields near Monyash

The ground was now on a slightly rising trend, and the walled track led towards a barn which is at the hub of four such lanes plus another footpath.  The Limestone Way passes this point en route to Knotlow and the village of Flagg.  Meanwhile the views to the east, with the top of Horse Lane away in the distance were good, and encouraging in the sense of the progress being made.

Upland limestone grazing country north of Monyash

The track I wanted rejoiced in the name of Hutmoor Butts, heading directly ESE to the main A515 road.  To be honest, this is not the most scenic mile to be walked in the Peak District, but is quiet with a great sense of being out in the open.  The ground continues to rise slightly, and the main road keeps close to the top of a shallow ridge ridge.  The ostentatious appearance of the pub at the corner came as a surprise, as did the awkward name - the Bull-i'-th'-Thorn.

Bull-i'-th'-Thorn pub by the A515

There is also a donkey sanctuary near the top end of Hutmoor Butts.  The route crosses almost directly over the main road and heads for the line of the High Peak Trail.  This sets the route for the next couple of miles in a generally southeasterly direction towards Parsley Hay.  As many will know, it follows the line of a former railway, south of Parsley Hay splitting into two at a junction with the Tissington Trail.  It is open to cyclists as well as walkers.  As often with railways across hilly ground, the views alternate between expansive from elevated embankments to constricted within cuttings, as the two following pictures show.

Lane towards Pilsbury, view from High Peak Trail

Cutting on the High Peak Trail

Old railway routes certainly provide a great introduction to walking or cycling for those not familiar with route finding or exploring the countryside on foot.  I'm very happy including a section such as this within a walk, but prefer to discover smaller footpaths and create my own route plans.  The countryside to the west of the old line looks quiet and inviting, and is unfamiliar to me.  The next picture gives an impression, not far from the interestingly named Custard Field Farm.  Eventually the hills give way to the upper Dove and Manifold valleys.

Countryside west of Parsley Hay

Even Parsley Hay itself is only a hamlet, despite the road junctions and former railway junction nearby.  If Parsley Hay is not seen as a worthwhile objective on the walk, a corner can easily be cut using a path by Moscar Farm, crossing the main road, and avoiding some of the walking along the lane north to Monyash.  For my own purposes on the day of the walk, I felt it worthwhile including Parsley Hay.

Lane west through Parsley Hay

I crossed the main road and followed the lane all the way to the edge of the village of Monyash.  It rises at first, with interesting views back to the road junction, the hamlet, and the great cutting on the Tissington Trail.  it then crosses a wide plateau, but again the grass verges make for easy and pleasant walking, with views gradually opening out to the north, which really expand when clearing the brow.  The next two shots illustrate the contrast.

Upland plateau between Parsley Hay and Monyash

View north from the edge of the plateau

The lane descends most attractively towards the village of Monyash, with the limestone walls once again a prominent feature of the landscape.  Again, the route just touches the edge of the village, with another opportunity to explore if desired.  The Limestone Way heads southeast from the village and is the key to the next stage of the route followed.  I seem to be getting stuck into a rut of presenting pictures two by two, so here are a couple around Monyash and views from the south.

Village scene, Monyash

Monyash from the south on Milkings Lane

The walled track ends near the upper part of Fern Dale.  The dale can be used for a short cut down to Lathkill Dale, but I enjoyed the continuation along almost as far as One Ash Grange Farm.  There are only occasional hints in the view of the nearby drama of the limestone valleys, but generally the broad upland grazing land predominates in the scene.  Again the walking is easy underfoot and enjoyable.

Limestone Way above Fern Dale and Lathkill Dale

Pasture south of Lathkill Dale

At last the path is taken north, heading for the rim of the valley, which makes a fitting culmination for the walk.  The crags mean the path is diverted behind the rim upstream back towards Monyash, and still the full scale of the valley is not really revealed from above.

Across Lathkill Dale 

Path descending in to upper Lathkill Dale

Once in the valley, it is a sharp about turn to head downstream.  Immediately there is a gateway which seems to be the entrance into a different, hidden world.  Even so, there is nothing to really indicate the view that opens out a bit later.

Limestone scenery, Lathkill Dale

The next section does reveal some of the finest limestone scenery in this part of the Peak District.  The day was remarkably warm for March, but it was fascinating to walk through the shade as seen in the picture.  There were three or four little dips where the cold air had sunk and it was like walking into a real frost pocket.  They were very localised, only lasting for a few paces at a time, but quite dramatic and refreshing.  It would be exactly the sort of experience that would be welcome in really hot summer weather, but I guess the effect then is rarely as pronounced as it was the day I visited.  Meanwhile the limestone formations captured the visual attention, while the walking underfoot remained quite straightforward throughout.

Limestone formation on the northern rim of Lathkill Dale

A side valley comes in from the north, almost as grand as the main valley, and then the valley closes in once more and goes through several changes of direction.  The valley loses the atmosphere of bare rock and grass, and becomes more wooded, and the river becomes much more significant after the dry upper valley.  The water in the river flows very clear and fresh.  No single picture seems to do justice to the overall impression of walking along the valley, which is an experience to be savoured.  It is not a large scale landscape in world terms, and remains quite intimate, but certainly has enough character and drama to be memorable.

River  Lathkill

In Lathkill Dale

The trees take over all the more the lower down the valley and the limestone crags are less in evidence.  The shelter of the valley means that there are many fine, tall trees.  The route finding is very easy.  Carry on downstream as far as the first significant buildings - an old mill and a lodge at the point where a lane winds down from Over Haddon.  All that remains is to walk up through the village to return to the starting point.  Tantalisingly, I will not include pictures of the village, which did not seem to be very good on this visit.  The whole walk can be recommended with the possible variations mentioned.

Trees in Lathkill Dale

Lodge in Lathkill Dale below Over Haddon