Ashford-In-The-Water

July 26, 2023.

 

ASHFORD-IN-THE-WATER, MONSAL HEAD, BRUSHFIELD HOUGH, MONSAL DALE, WYE VALLEY, COCK AND PULLET IN SHELDON, GREAT SHACKLOW WOOD, BULLS HEAD AT ASHFORD.

 

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Dry with some cloud and much sunshine.

 

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor, Keith Welsh, Simon Williams, Dave Willetts, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (leg injuries), Alastair Cairns (in Manchester), Daisy Cunliffe (being spayed), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Hughie Hardiman (in Ireland)

Leader: Beal. Diarist: Hart,

Starting point: Outside Holy Trinity Church, Ashford-in-the-Water, near Bakewell.

Starting time: 9.55am. Finishing time: 2.37pm.

 

I dare say there were more people outside the church on Wednesday morning  than on the inside last Sunday as a dozen of us assembled in this picturesque Derbyshire village.

After another largely wet week we were spared any rain as we enjoyed the scenic splendour of The Wye Valley. Unfortunately what should have been a relatively short eight mile hike became even shorter for eight of our group when they hared off in the wrong direction and snipped a mile off the planned journey.

Our leader was left with only three followers as the main peloton disappeared from sight. I won't name the guilty men but the virtuous ones who followed the path of righteousness with Peter were your diarist, Mark and Cliff.

Two traditional pubs were visited where the sunny weather would have allowed us to enjoy their beer gardens. Unfortunately it was first come first served and the errant eight occupied all but one of the outside seats available at our early watering hole: more proof that life can be unfair.

 

From the church we headed past Rafters on our left into Fennel Street and Vicarage Lane beyond it. After 40 yards along the lane we swung sharp left following a yellow arrow at a sign for Monsal Head (4mins). This path uphill took us through a wooden gate and over a stone step stile to reach a lane (10mins). Turning left we went along a clearly defined route through a wooden gate and turned right (29mins). 

 

 wandering !  

 

 

  Starting out

 

After heading down a flight of steps we swung sharp left (46mins) before passing a weir on our right.

 

         The weir near Monsal Head 

 

 

Beyond the weir we crossed a wooden footbridge and stopped for Pietime (62mins) on the far bank of the River Wye.

 

           Our view across the Wye 

 

       Team photo after Pietime 

 

 

With the river on our left we carried on and followed a sign towards White Lodge (70mins). After crossing a wooden stile we crossed the A6 (73mins) and followed a path opposite uphill. Just before we reached a car park (74mins) we turned right to follow a signpost towards Taddington then followed a sign for Deep Dale (77mins).

 

 

At the next junction of paths, including a left turn towards Sheldon, Peter led the remaining three in our group right towards Deep Dale (82mins). He had made it clear at the outset we would be walking to Sheldon via Deep Dale but it soon became equally clear that either the leading (but misled) eight were either a long way ahead or taking an unauthorised short cut.

 

           Heading towards Deep Dale 

 

As we went through a wooden gate (105mins) we were surrounded by a herd of inquisitive bullocks who ran away when challenged to a fight. After 50 yards we left their field via a stone step stile and started a long climb uphill (106mins). At the top we crossed a stone step stile (111mins) and went through a series of gates dividing fields before reaching a stone step stile to reach a field on our left (131mins)

As that field was occupied by cows with new-born calves we diverted from the route,

 

carrying straight on and climbing over a metal gate to reach a lane (132mins). 

We turned left, passing the sign for Sheldon (134mins) and reached the Cock and Pullet on our right (140mins). Here we joined the deserters who had commandeered  eight of the nine seats around a table in the beer garden. While we found a table inside the pub to drink pints of Farmers Blonde for £4, Jock arrived with Milly to take the last seat outside. 

 

The pub appeared to be popular and fairly busy but it is unlikely that the grim-faced staff were the attraction.

Leaving the pub we turned right out of the front door and left the village behind us before turning left at a wooden public footpath sign (145mins). We soon took the right fork (146mins) where the paths divided before pausing for lunch at a broken stone wall (153mins)

 

         Homeward bound

 

Continuing we headed diagonally left towards Shacklow Wood, keeping to the right of the trees as we crossed a stone step stile (156mins) and followed the path to a small wooden gate (165mins) and reached a minor road. We turned left, reached the A6 (169mins) and turned right.

After 200 yards we crossed the main road (172mins), turned left and crossed a bridge.  Following this road we then passed Holy Trinity Church on our left before reaching The Bulls Head* on the left (174mins).

The hardcore drinker enjoyed pints of Dizzy Blonds cask bitter before returning to their cars to de-boot (178mins)

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from a lay-by 800 yards past the start of the Monsal Trail at Topley Pike on the left of the A6 heading south east from Buxton towards Bakewell at Blackwell. We aim to arrive at The Church Inn at Chelmorton around 12.30pm before returning at 2.30pm to discuss further options if needed.

Happy wandering !  

 

Leek

July 19, 2023.

BLACKSHAW MOOR, LEEK, TITTESWORTH RESERVOIR, CRABAPPLE TRAIL, ALDER LEE, THE LAZY TROUT AT MEERBROOK, MIDDLE HULME, THE THREE HORSESHOES.

Distance: 8+ miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Cloud and sunshine with one short heavy shower.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Julian Ross and Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Andy Blease (walking along Pembrokeshire coast), Alastair Cairns (walking in Cumbria), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman (in France and Ireland for three Wednesdays), Dean Taylor (in Whitstable), Simon Williams (in Edinburgh)

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park of The Three Horseshoes, Buxton Road, Blackshaw Moor, Leek ST13 8TW.

Starting time: 9.52am. Finishing time: 1.49pm.

The Roaches and Hen Cloud

After a wet five days beforehand and more prolonged showers predicted later in the week, this promised to be the best day for a walk and so it proved. Apart from one short heavy shower we were able to enjoy decent weather as we encircled Tittesworth Reservoir on a mainly flat ramble.

There had been several apologies from those on holiday elsewhere as The Magnificent Seven set off in cloudy conditions. Almost immediately we were treated to the picturesque sight of Ramshaw Rocks, Hen Cloud and The Roaches on our right as we aimed for Tittesworth Reservoir.

We nearly had a chance to Meet The Forkers at Pietime, of which more later.

From the pub car park we turned right along a minor road and crossed a bridge over a river before turning left at a green footpath sign (13mins) directing us towards a Visitors' Centre. Where the path forked (18mins) we went right and did the same again (23mins) to keep close to the lake on our right.

The south side of Tittesworth Reservoir

When we reached a T-junction (26mins) we turned right and continued straight on at another junction (30mins) following a sign for The Crabapple Trail, turning right again (31mins) to follow the trail once more.

At a fork in the paths we turned right (37mins) and then made a sharp right turn over a bridge (38mins). We ascended a flight of steps to begin following The Reservoir Trail (40mins). This brought us to a metal kissing gate (52mins) and time for a consultation.

The sight of maps being unfolded always brings a sense of foreboding, born of unhappy experience, among the followers.

Our experts confer

Eventually (55mins) it was decided to turn left, passing a metal kissing gate (58mins) and crossing a wooden footbridge to go through another metal kissing gate (61mins). After going through yet another metal kissing gate (64mins) we turned right just before reaching a footbridge and then swung left over a road bridge. Beyond it on our right we stopped for Pietime sitting on handy rolls of materials provided by a firm of contractors with an unusual name (68mins)

An empty van with no forkers in it

Before we left Chris attempted to meet one of the forkers in a nearby hut but he was engaged on a conference call, so we departed and continued our journey. Initially we ignored a path on our right but after 100 yards along a road there was a sign stating “No Public Right of Way.” It was accompanied by a diagram of a pedestrian with a line through is body which hinted there might be a Mafia hitman lurking round the corner.

Chris decided discretion was the better part of valour and returned to the path he had ignored four minutes earlier, this time turning left (73mins), We went through two metal kissing gates and headed uphill. As we reached a modern housing estate rain started to fall with increasing intensity and waterproofs were donned.

We turned right following a yellow arrow (81mins) then dog-legged right and left to cross a wooden stile (86mins). Chris was later of the opinion that the left turn was a mistake which added a 20-minute loop to our journey.

Passing through a metal kissing gate (88mins) we squeezed through a gap stile and crossed a bridge over a river (93mins). We then bore left to follow a path into a wood (95mins)

This well-trodden path took us to the edge of the trees but at a No Trespassing sign we swung right following the path to another exit and a lane (110mins). We turned right downhill and reached a path on our left (114mins). Chris announced we were now back on track as we passed a memorial bench to Beryl and Roger Ball.

Walking through a wooden gate we turned left at a signpost (115mins) and forked left where the paths branched (116mins). After crossing a wooden stile (120mins) we reached and walked past canoes and sailing boats at the Tittesworth Watersports Centre (125mins)

We followed a path marked Visitors Centre (131mins) and crossed a wooden footbridge. When we reached a road we turned left and reached The Lazy Trout at Meerbrook on our right (136mins)

He drinks like a fish !

Here we enjoyed pints of Wainwrights for £3-75 in the sunlit beer garden at the rear, where we joined Jock and Milly. In a move to modernity, or a retrogressive step depending on your point of view, this busy, popular country pub no longer accepts cash.

Suitably refreshed we turned left out of the pub and headed east passing the northern end of the lake.

Looking south from the northern end of Tittesworth Reservoir

Some of you may be wondering how the lake earned its unusual name. According to local folklore it arose when a young farmer's son named Ned fell for the charms of a local lass known as dishy Dora. Ned bought two pork pies and persuaded Dora to join him for a picnic in a secluded spot next to the lake.

After the pies the couple engaged in some kissing and cuddling which led to what later became known as “heavy petting.” (A strange term because if you did it with a dog or cat you would be arrested)

After their tryst friends asked Ned if he had got his leg over. “No,” replied Ned, “but I got my tittesworth.”

The road brought us all the way back to The Three Horseshoes at Blackshaw Moor (162mins) where five of us had pints of Timothy Taylor's Landlord cask bitter for £4-60. Tom, a serial offender himself, was insistent that Julian and Cliff should be named and shamed for using the pub car park and not buying anything.

Next week's walk will start at 9.55am near the parish church at Ashford-inWater, off the A6 between Buxton and Bakewell. We will be aiming for a livener at The Cock and Pullet in Sheldon around 12.30pm before returning to The Bull's Head in Ashford at about 2.40pm.

Happy wandering !

Tissington

 July 12, 2023

 

TISSINGTON TRAIL, BOSTERN GRANGE, MILL DALE, NEW HANSON GRANGE, PEAKWAY FARM, SYCAMORE INN AT PARWICH, TRAIL BARN, TISSINGTON HALL

 

Distance: 9 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Mainly dry but cloudy with brief light shower and sunny spells.

Walkers: Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor and Simon Williams.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Micky Barrett, Peter Beal (entertaining guests), Andy Blease (in Anglesey), Alastair Cairns (gardening duties), Mike Cassini (medical appointment), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Enright (attending funeral), Keith Welsh (Cornwall hols), Cliff Worthington (caring for convalescing wife)

Leader: Cunliffe. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park at the end of Darfield Lane, Tissington (DE6 1RA)

Starting time: 10.01am.Finishing time: 3.20pm.

Map and other pictures right at the bottom of the blog by Tom Cunliffe

 

This walk was once on the Wednesday Wanderers' list but has not been attempted for more than two decades. One of the reasons is the absence of any leader with a knowledge of the route. Another might be the long distance which we had to cover to reach its starting point.

 

We are indebted to Tom for rediscovering an old book which contained details of the journey he had once taken 24 years ago. What a pity he left the book at home. This oversight might have been redeemed when Chris announced he had brought an Ordnance Survey map. What a pity it was for a neighbouring area and failed to cover the route we were taking. In these circumstances we might have been in great jeopardy but happily the GPS on Tom's phone proved a godsend.

The omens had not been good. The weather forecast was for frequent showers and on arrival at the car park we discovered we had to pay £4-75. Tom assured us parking had been free back in 1999. The slow operation of the ticket machine also delayed our start by 16 minutes. To that extent we were lucky to have a modest turnout.

In all these negative circumstances the walk itself and the welcoming pub in Parwich made those present anxious to give it another go in the future.

 

From the car park we immediately joined the Tissington Trail, which runs for 13 miles along the old railway line from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay. The London and North Western Railway opened the line in 1899 and it was closed in 1967. It reopened in 1971 as a leisure facility for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

 

As we sallied forth we passed picnic tables at what had clearly once been a station platform, We exited the trail (12mins) by turning left just before a bridge and heading uphill to swing right over it. This took us through a static caravan park, at the end of which we made our only error of the day which cost us a modest six minutes.

For the benefit of future walkers at the end of the caravan park look out for a narrow footpath on the left before you enter a meadow. It soon reached a crossroads of paths where you should proceed straight ahead (26mins). After crossing a wooden footbridge we turned right and at the end of the field we headed left uphill.

Turning right at a wooden public footpath sign marked with a yellow arrow (31mins) we then crossed a wooden stile (33mins). On reaching a lane we turned right and then  left at a green public footpath sign (39mins) uphill. We went through a gap stile (46mins), crossed a lane and followed a wooden public footpath sign into a field.

At another wooden public footpath sign we turned right over a stone step stile and headed towards Grange and Mill Dale (52mins). After going through a gap stile into the next field (56mins) we stopped for pies and port .

    Pietime 

 

Resuming we crossed the field and followed a wooden footpath sign for Bostern Grange and Mill Dale (60mins). After crossing a stone step stile (67mins) we went through a wooden gate (69mins) and then a farmyard (72mins). Beyond the farm we turned left off the track to head through a wooden gate towards Mill Dale and Alsop (74mins)

We reached a gravel track and turned left (77mins) then followed a wooden public footpath sign towards Mill Dale (83mins). After crossing a stone step stile (84mins) we descended towards a valley.

 

  Approaching the valley below dark clouds

 

Beyond a wooden gate (92mins) we squeezed through a gap stile (94mins) and crossed a stone step stile (96mins). At another wooden gate we followed a wooden public footpath sign towards Lode Mill (99mins)

We reached a lane and turned right  (102mins) passing New Hanson Grange on our right. At a main road we turned right towards Ashbourne (105mins) and soon crossed the road when a wooden public footpath sign appeared on our left (106mins). We crossed a stone step stile (107mins) and headed towards a tunnel, going through it and following a sign for Parwick Lees (110mins)

By heading diagonally left towards trees we located a gap stile, went through it and turned left (113mins). After crossing a stone step stile (121mins) we stampeded a herd of brown cows and headed through the left of two open gates (124mins)

As we reached a road we turned right uphill (127mins), passing Peakway Farm on our left (131mins) and then the sign for Parwich (142mins). At a T-junction we turned right (146mins) and reached The Sycamore Inn on our left (148mins), joining Jock and Milly. The Hopp beer was in good fettle at £3-90 a pint.

 

 Outside The Sycamore Inn at Parwich

 

After posing for a photo taken by the friendly barmaid we turned right out of the pub in the direction from which we had approached it. After 25 yards we turned left then swung right and right again at a yellow arrow.

 

   Our view looking back at Parwich

 

 

 

We then went through two gap stiles and a wooden gate (162mins) and paused for lunch. Resuming we crossed a wooden footbridge (166mins) and through a gap stile ((168mins) before turning left at a gravel track (175mins). We went over a bridge, passing Trail Barn on our left (183mins) before swinging left (193mins) and reaching Tissington Hall on our right (195mins) 

 

The hall is an early 17th Century Jacobean mansion house and has been owned by the Fitzherberts, descendants of the Norman conquerors. It was acquired by the marriage of Nicholas Fitzherbert to Cicely Frauncis, heiress of Tissington, in 1465. 

The old moated manor was replaced with this mansion in 1609 and the current occupant is Sir Richard Fitzherbert, the ninth baronet.

 

Here we were able to buy half litre bottles of Peak Ales IPA for £4-95 and sit outside the hall on trestle tables in the sunshine. Suitably refreshed we continued back to the car park and de-booted (200mins)

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am at The Three Horseshoes pub on Buxton Road, Blackshaw Moor, Leek (ST13 8TW). We aim to be in The Lazy Trout at Meerbrook, Leek (ST13 8SN) for a bracer at 12.15pm before returning to The Three Horseshoes around 2pm. Parking on the pub car park is conditional on having a drink there at the end of the walk.

Happy wandering !