Hope Valley

HOPE VALLEY

 April 30th, 2025 

 

BAMFORD EDGE, LADYBOWER DAM, WIN HILL PIKE, BAMFORD STEPPING STONES, YORKSHIRE BRIDGE INN.

 

 Distance: 10.4miles​  Ascent/descent: 1344 ft

 

Difficulty: Moderate. One long climb

 

Weather: Scorchio..!!

 

Walkers:  Andrew Blease, Steven Brearley, Cliff Worthington, Keith Welsh, Simon Williams, Russell Spencer,

 

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly

 

Non-Walking Drinkers: 

 

Apologies: Mark Enright, Mike Cassini, Mark Gibby, Dean Taylor, James, Clive, Alastair Cairns.

 

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

 

Starting point: Lay By on New Road at the junction of New Road and The Clough.

 

Starting time: ​9.50am​​  Finishing time: 3.15pm

 

 

The day started really well for your Leader (me) when after some night-time awakenings and lack of sleep I promptly forgot my walking boots on my way to meet the Oak Drive Massive, I just don’t think I could have done 10 miles in Crocs, so a quick sprint back and fortunate traffic to the meeting point saw me there on time at the parking location (more about this later) The weather was glorious and after liberal application of sun cream, off we went.

On talking to a local, he advised us to take the slightly lower path up to Bamford Edge (near the stile opposite The Clough) as this was a slightly less strenuous option. However, it didn’t seem to make too much difference and once we summited Bamford Edge the views of the surroundings were astounding.

 

There are no defined footpaths along Bamford Edge, so we had to keep our eyes open for the path down as it was not indicated on any maps. After a quick chat with some out-of- breath walkers, who had obviously just walked up, they pointed us in the correct direction to descend down to the Ladybower Reservoir and cross the Dam.

 

We crossed the Dam taking in the sights, and turned right past one of the large ‘Plug Holes’, it was noted the levels were quite low as the the overflows seemed quite raised.

The path followed the edge of the Reservoir for about ½ mile before we took a left path which indicated ‘Win Hill – 1.5Km’. Careful selection of paths is required as there are quite a few mountain bike trails which can be confusing. We started to climb up toward Win Hill, fortunately, the early section was under cover of trees as the temperature (and effort) was now increasing. The trees in places had grown over the path creating an eerie tunnel-like effect.

 

 

 

 

 

At the top of the path, the forest gives way to open Moorland, we proceeded through the gate and followed the path up to Win Hill, now in open sunlight we soon had to stop to re-group and take on water.

Approximately 2.5km later (remember what the sign said??) we summited Win Hill Pike with amazing 360 degree views of the Peak District (and the Concrete Factory!) we also saw the beginnings of the Fire over at Goyt Valley which was to make the news later that evening.

 After the pie stop and liquid intake, we commenced our descent (it was all downhill from here, more about this later)

 

We followed the east footpath of the summit which descended down toward the dam, and took a right turn and followed paths and signage for Thornhill. Walking through the village we turned right at the T Junction and then picked up the narrow footpath on the right. At the end of this footpath, we skirted around the buildings, turning left onto the road and following this over the River Derwent where we had a short walk along the road, then taking a left toward Bamford Mill and the stepping stones.

The Mill was first built in the 1780’s for the cotton and textile trade and was originally water-powered via the beautiful mill pond at the rear, it was later converted to steam power, mostly the mill is now residential properties.

 

 We crossed back across the river at the rear using the ‘Stepping Stones’ and the bridge, taking the gate following the path across the field and picking up the Thornhill Trail Bridleway, which we followed to Yorkshire Bridge, crossing back over the river and descending upon the Yorkshire Bridge Inn for refreshments.

 

Here we were happily informed that it was Mr Blease’s birthday and he would be providing the first round of liquid refreshments! Other rounds were also drank, due to the hot weather and a couple of Mr Clarkson's ‘Hawkstone Beer’ were consumed, to some approval.

 

Here I should explain the parking - due to the beautiful surroundings and popularity of the area, free parking is non-existent in the lower areas, so our cars were parked higher up, involving a moderate climb uphill on a road back to the cars, I reckoned 20 mins but some of the more experienced (and full of beer) members decided it was maybe too much on such a hot day. Fortunately ‘Jocks Cabs’ had arrived and subsequently delivered the drivers to their cars at the top of New Road, So the total walk distance will vary between 9.8 and 10.6 miles depending on your method of transport.

Next week's walk with start from New Mills Leisure Centre Car Park on Hyde Bank Road at 0930. We will be calling into the. Devonshire Arms in Mellor at around 12:15 for refreshments.

 

Happy Wandering! 

Styal Woods

 

Leaders: Tom Cunliffe and Russ Spencer 

Diarist: Cunliffe

Starting point: Road outside The Old Ship Inn at Styal.

Starting time: 9.40am

Finishing time: 2.05pm.

A large part of diary has been plagiarised from Harty’s account written 12/10/22 but differs from the section of the wander where we emerge from Lindow Common towards the oasis known as the King William pub in wilmslow. Details documented later on.

The start of this walk was a cross between a rural idyll and a Royal Marines commando exercise. In the most picturesque of settings, we endured a roller-coaster ride of climbs and descents as we successfully negotiated a difficult route along the lovely Bollin Valley.

It has never been an easy course because of the twists and turns of the river which can be disorientating as you find yourself first on one bank and then the other.

For the return journey we were soon back along the banks of the Bollin in the Cheshire countryside as we passed the historic Quarry Bank Mill.

From the road outside The Old Ship we headed uphill and turned left at a sign for the Methodist Church, passing a thatched cottage on our left before dog-legging left and right to continue (1min). At the first path on our right marked with a red arrow we turned right and reached Styal Cross on our right (3mins)

 

Styal Cross was originally located at Cross Farm, Styal. Around 1860 it was moved to Holly Lane where it stood until 1980 when it was demolished by a runaway lorry.

The base, thought to be medieval, was rebuilt. The upper column remained a truncated stump until 2010 when the cross was restored to its original state.

We turned left toward Chapel Woods taking the right fork marked with a red arrow and then turned left to walk down and cross a metal bridge. After heading up steps on the far side we turned right and crossed Kingfisher Bridge and then Oxbow Bridge before turning left and heading first up and then down steep flights of steps before walking along duckboards.

At a T-junction we turned right and crossed Giant's Castle Bridge before turning left up a flight of steps. No sooner had we stopped climbing than we went down another flight of steps to cross a footbridge, then passed a wooden bridge on our left to follow a red arrow with the Bollin on our left

Ignoring a path on our right with a red arrow we continued to keep the Bollin on our left as we left the woods and turned left across a bridge. On the left was The Airport Inn, formerly The Valley Lodge Hotel where Thursday night discos were once popular with ladies of a certain age.

Crossing the main road we turned left and proceeded until we reached Morley Green Road where we turned right. When we reached a pair of benches on the village green at the end of the road we stopped for pies and damson gin kindly provided by Chris.

Resuming we crossed the T junction to follow a green public footpath sign by the side of a lane marked “Except for Access.” Where it forked we went left and entered Newgate Nature Reserve. We forked right and reached a lane where we turned right

This brought us to a junction where we carried straight on ahead with Sylvia Cottage on our right. After swinging left we turned left before a farm crossed a footbridge and then turned right. We crossed another footbridge and turned left

After forking right towards woods we turned left at a path leading into them. On reaching a T-junction we turned right. 

We continued a further 200m until we reached a track emerging on our left, at this point I consulted a passing local as to where exactly this track would lead. I got the answer I was looking for, an alternative route to the laborious schlepp through where wilmslow estate. 

We therefore turned left and continued until we reached a gated styal on our right. Going thro, we entered Lindow Common, skirting around Black Lake on our right we eventually emerged on to a road, crossing the road we continued along the same footpath until we reached a main road. We turned right, Russ speculated if there was an exit from the park on the side thereby reducing the suburban torture. Happily there was, we crossed said main road, entered the park whilst spotting where we were to exit the park. Five minutes later we reached the King Billy. This alternative should be incorporated in to Styal wander forever; it shortened the boring bit by 15 mins and 1/2 mile.

Inside we found Harty, Pete Beal and Jock lustily enjoying foaming pints of bitter. Harty gave us the latest bulletin on his health. I won’t go in to any detail in this account since Harty later circulated an email. Suffice to say that we all wish Alan the very best of good luck in his cancer battle.

Suitably refreshed we turned left out of the pub and crossed the busy roundabout to head left passing a church on our left before turning left into Boddington Playing Fields (154mins). Beyond the playground we turned right with the Bollin on our right and walked through an area known as The Carrs.

 

This comprises 70 acres of a picturesque linear walk linking Styal Country Park and Dean Valley. It was bought in 1935 by Wilmslow Urban District Council to mark the jubilee of George V.

 

We crossed a footbridge and turned right following a sign for Lindow Common. Continuing we ignored one bridge on our right and carried on until we reached Twinnies Bridge which we crossed to enter a car park on the left.

Following a sign for Styal with the Bollin now on our left we went through a metal kissing gate and crossed Heron's Pool Bridge before reaching Quarry Bank Mill on our left.

 

This was a former cotton mill built in 1784 by Samuel Greg, where adults and children worked 72 hour weeks until 1847 when a new law made such long working weeks illegal. The National Trust now uses the mill as a museum.

Beyond the mill we turned left towards Styal, then turned right to reach the road from where we had started. A short walk right brought us to The Old Ship on our left.

Mike and I debooted before meeting Harty in the Ship for a final pint.

Next week’s wander will be led by Russ starting from Bamford Edge. 

The next paragraph is a copy and paste of an email from Russ:

 

Start Point Post Code - S33 0AN New Rd, near to junction of New Road and the top of The Clough. NOTE - on last visit The Clough Rd was closed to vehicles so acces to New Road was off the A6013.

 

Parking - There is a lay by near the top of the The Clough, but there is also lots of verge parking along New Rd.

 

Time - 9.45am

 

Route - Bamford Edge - Ladybower Dam - Win Hill Pike (Pie time approx 12.15) - Bamford Stepping Stones - Yorkshire Bridge Inn (Drinks/refreshments approx 2.15) -short walk to vehicles, depart approx 3.15

Happy Wandering!

 

 

Old Glossop

GLOSSOP LOW

 

April 9,2025 

 

OLD GLOSSOP, HOPE STREET, CHARLES LANE, COCK HILL, GLOSSOP LOW, CLOUGH EDGE, REAPS FARM, TRANS PENNINE TRAIL, THE ANCHOR AT HADFIELD, PARK ROAD, GLOSSOP CEMETERY, B6105, SWINESHAW RESERVOIR, CASTLE HILL, QUEEN’S ARMS IN OLD GLOSSOP

 

Distance: 9.05 miles​  Ascent/descent: 1344 ft

 

Difiiculty: Moderate. One long climb

 

Weather: Fine & dry 

 

Walkers:  Andrew Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Gibby, Chris Owen, Russell Spencer, Cliff Worthington.

 

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly, Kieran Rooney

 

Non Walking Drinkers: Alan Hart

 

Apologies: too many to mention…!!

 

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

 

Starting point: Rough car park opposite The Wheatsheaf, Old Glossop. SK13 7RS

 

Starting time: ​9.50am​​  Finishing time: 14.40pm

Distance: 9.05 miles​  Ascent/descent: 1344 ft

 

Difficulty: Moderate. One long climb

 

Weather: Fine & dry 

 

Walkers:  Andrew Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Gibby, Chris Owen, Russell Spencer, Cliff Worthington.

 

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly, Kieran Rooney

 

Non Walking Drinkers: Alan Hart

 

Apologies: too many to mention…!!

 

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

 

Starting point: Rough car park opposite The Wheatsheaf, Old Glossop. SK13 7RS

 

Starting time: ​9.50am​​  Finishing time: 14.40pm

 

 

Pictures by Russell Spencer

On the casual mention of me putting the route down on a map to prevent any confusion whilst out on the walk, it transpired I was now leading the walk. (By the time we left the pub I was also the diarist..!!)

 

I referred back to the blog on July 5th 2023, and was able to successfully decode this route and form some sort of directions on a map. As I was made aware during the walk, it is an amended one following the decision of the farmer at Blackshaw Farm to close the concessionary footpath to Glossop Low following trespass and vandalism.

 

The weather was bright and sunny, and based on previous days I planned to walk in a T Shirt, however on exiting the house and almost having ice on my car I decided a jumper addition was required. (this was to prove an excellent decision).

 

Everyone arrived approximately on time so we set off, turningright out of the car park opposite we ascended Hope Street and turned left in to Charles Lane, where at a private drive leading to Moorlands, we took a narrow and partly concealed path on the left signed to Access Land.

 

A steep, rocky ascent at first on the enclosed path brought us on to the open moors, which was to confirm my decision to wear an extra layer as the very cold easterly wind whipped through us as we followed the path to eventually emerge at the trig point on Cock Hill (1,398 feet).

From here the gradients eased and we soon reached the familiar ruins of the shooting box at the Glossop Low summit (1,574 feet), the highest point of the walk. (If someone can explain why the highest point of an area is called a low, then please do so on the next walk..!!)

 

Here it was Pie time, and it was noted that on this occasion a couple of walkers had actually invested in Pies for a snack, a few pieces of which Daisy managed to obtain based on the three second rule…..

Spencer

 

We resumed the walk and this is where my Map was slightly confused, there were no set paths down to reach the Pennine Way at Clough Edge, so we had to find the best route we could. Once on the Way we were treated to excellent clear views ofLongdendale with Torside Reservoir and its sailing club below us, and above it Woodhead Reservoir. Together with Rhodeswood, Valehouse and Bottoms reservoir just below these formed the largest expanse of artificially-constructed water reserves in the world when they opened in 1877. They provide around a quarter of Greater Manchester’s water.

 

The path dropped steeply as Reaps Farm came in to view. We reached a broad track at the foot and turned left to reach and cross the B6105 road to join the six-and-a-half mile long Longdendale Trail, which also forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail between Liverpool and Hull. 

The trail follows the route of the Manchester to Sheffield rail line, which closed in 1981.

 

The Trail is a nice and easy flat walk and more importantly, was out of the wind, which enabled my face to thaw slightly. After about 40 minutes, Bottoms Reservoir came in to view below us on the right and beyond it the village of Tintwistle (pron. Tins’l) birthplace of punk fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who died aged 81 last December. She spent the first 17 years of her life here and went to school in Glossop.

 

We reached the end of the trail near the station and went straight ahead, ignoring the right turn in to Station Road and carrying on to Hadfield Road, where we turned right to reach The Anchor pub. However upon trying to order cask beer at the bar, we were told there was none to be had, and less flavoursome alternatives were sought out. Here we met with the alternative walkers, the non walker and a large group of ladies on a lunch out, who initially asked if we were there for the speed-dating. However it soon turned sour when Mr Hart commented if the ironing was piling up Hadfield while the ladies were out lunching, which elicited a strong response from several of the ladies. After much merriment we donned our gear, said our goodbyes and proceeded with the route.

 

We turned right out of the pub and walked uphill along Hadfield Road, Park Road, and Cemetery Road, turning left in to the extensive Glossop Cemetery on top of the hill. Here again there was a little confusion about the route but we soon found a shallow stile in the wall to cross in to a field at the back of the cemetary,turning right to cross a cottage garden I think it was a stonemasons yard also) and recross the B6105, where we did a right and immediately left over a stile in to more fields.

 

Instead of turning right at the second field, we followed the other path, past the reservoir and down across the brook, which took us past ‘Reubens Retreat’ a charity for bereaved families, which I believe is where the white peacocks roam. It was then a short walk back to the car park.

 

Next week’s walk will be led by Chris, starting at Sutton Hall, 9.40am and taking in Teggs Nose and surrounding area. Half way will be the Leather Smithy, 12.30ish and finish at Sutton Hall.

 

Happy Wandering! 

 

Pictures by Russell Spencer