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.