Chapel-en-le-Frith

April 20, 2016.

CHAPEL-EN-LE FRITH RAILWAY STATION, RIDGE HALL, COMBS MOSS, CASTLE NAZE, THE BEEHIVE AT COMBS, CHAPEL STATION AND THE COCK AT WHALEY BRIDGE

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate with prolonged early climb and paths next to steep cliffs needing great care.

Weather: Blue skies and sunshine: pleasantly warm.

Walkers: Mickey Barrett, Ron Buck, Tom Cunliffe, Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, Graham Hadfield, Alan Hart, Jock Rooney with Tips, and George Whaites.

Apologies: Peter Beal (hols), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby.

Leader: Fairman. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Side of road next to Chapel-en-le-Frith railway station.

Starting times: 9.45am and 9.53 am. Finishing time: 2.15pm.

A glorious day brought out nine A team walkers, and the first harbinger of summer. We are not referring to the solitary swallow we spotted on our descent from the ancient Iron Age hill fort at Castle Naze. We allude to the sight of Graham’s knees as he confidently strode out in a pair of shorts.

Our main party was delayed by the tardy arrival of Mickey, making a welcome return after a prolonged absence while one of his homes was renovated. This proved too much for the ever-eager Lawrie who led an advance party with Colin and George at the appointed start time. When the late Mr Barrett arrived, the remaining six set off eight minutes in arrears and the group was reunited – much to Tips’ relief - on the ridge of Castle Naze.

From our cars we crossed the Manchester-Buxton railway line and headed uphill, passing Ridge Hall on our left (12mins). At a T-junction we turned right (15mins) along a road until we reached a broken fence on our left (19mins) which we crossed and headed uphill towards a ridge. When we reached this (24mins) we were at Castle Naze on Combs Moss.

The “castle” is a triangular hill fort of 2.5 acres, 1,400 feet above sea level, whose north and south sides are protected by natural slopes. The east side is guarded by two man-made banks with a ditch. The outer rampart comprised a drystone wall which stood 3.5 metres high and 5 metres wide. There was a 20-metre gap to an inner rampart which was 3 metres high. 

Archaeologists claim evidence suggests the fort was first built toward the end of the Iron Age around 200 BC. During The Iron Age men started to forge metals. This might explain why Tom, a former foundry manager, is often associated with this era in his thinking.

There could be an historic link between the fort at Castle Naze and the Bull Ring Henge at Doveholes, less than two miles away.

From the ridge we had spectacular views to our right over Combs Reservoir and across the valley. We followed the track, at times having to take great care when faced with a sheer drop of several hundred feet on our right. Just before a stream we paused for pies and port  (70mins).

Continuing we crossed the stream and followed the path, which eventually followed to the left of a drystone wall. When a path was spotted on our right (108mins) Lawrie ignored a plaintive cry and unsuccessful attempt by Colin to form a breakaway group. Instead we carried on, passing a circling raven and its familiar cry of “Cark Cark”, before turning right through a gate (115mins).

This brought us to a wooden stile which we crossed leading to a path where we turned right (120mins). At a wooden public footpath sign on our right we turned right towards Chapel via Combs (129mins). We reached a farm track which we crossed and went over a broken wall (141mins). We went through the right of two open gates keeping a drystone wall on our left (147mins).

A gate marked with a yellow arrow (150mins) led us to a wooden footbridge across a stream, quickly followed by a stone footbridge over the stream. We went through a wooden gate and followed a wooden public footpath sign for Combs. We reached a road on the outskirts of the village and turned left (163mins).

One of the more illustrious residents of Combs in bygone days was Herbert Frood, who developed a vehicle brake pad in 1897 and founded Ferodo, the internationally-famous firm based in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

As we walked into the village there were the unmistakable squeals and yells of excitement from an infant school on our left having its lunch break. This state school, with 25 pupils, was rated as outstanding in all categories by Ofsted and was awarded Gold Star status by The times. Nevertheless Derbyshire County Council tried to close the school in 2007 and only backed down after vehement local protests.

After passing a pond on our right (165mins) we reached The Beehive immediately ahead of us (169mins) and established ourselves in the warm sunshine on the benches and tables outside. Pints of Marstons’ Pedigree were in excellent form although the price of £3-70 was harder to swallow.

Jock and Tips set off a few minutes ahead of the main party, which retraced its footsteps for 200 yards before turning left at a wooden public footpath sign (172mins) which led us into a farmyard. We went to the right of the farm buildings and crossed a wooden stile (175mins).

After crossing another wooden stile (181mins) we ducked under an electrified fence and over another wooden stile, where we turned right (184mins). We followed the path left as it went over a railway bridge (185mins), and then turned right along a path which followed parallel to the track on its right. This took us back to the station and our cars (191mins).

After de-booting we drove to The Cock, Whaley Bridge, for £3 pints of Robbies’ Unicorn cask bitter.

Pictures by Lawrie

Next week’s walk will start at 9.40am from the car park of The Lantern Pike Inn at Little Hayfield. We anticipate a bracer at The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth around 12.15pm before returning to The Lantern Pike around 2.15pm.

Happy wandering !