Low Leighton

 May 24, 2023.

 

LOW LEIGHTON, BIG STONE, PEEP-O-DAY, SOUTH HEAD, TUNSTEAD HOUSE, BOWDEN BRIDGE, THE SPORTSMAN INN AT HAYFIELD, SETT VALLEY TRAIL, BIRCH VALE, OLLERSETT MOOR, LANESIDE ROAD END, THE MASONS ARMS AT NEW MILLS

 

Distance: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Strenuous.

Weather: Dry with blue skies and sunshine throughout.

Walkers: Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney.

Apologies: Andy Blease (Anglesey), Alastair Cairns (hamstring), George Dearsley (in Turkey)

Leader: Jones. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Laneside Road end on the outskirts of Low Leighton, New Mills (SK22 4LU)

Starting time: 9.49am. Finishing time: 3.10pm.

 

 

A road traffic accident at Disley's main traffic lights delayed the arrival of some of those coming from that direction. Consequently, JJ's valedictory appearance as a Wednesday Wanderers' leader was late starting. He then led us flawlessly along a roller-coaster route which involved three serious climbs.

John is moving to a flat in Arnside, Cumbria, in a week so he was persuaded to end his role as a leader on a high note. Clearly, JJ took that seriously as we visited summits at Big Stone, South Head and Ollersett Moor. We were reminded that there is no gain without pain as we enjoyed spectacular views of the Kinder Range and its valleys in the summer sunshine.

Once again the late spring and early summer flowers provided a kaleidoscope of colour in the meadows and hedgerows, whilst we spotted newly-born calves with their mothers and lambs with their ewes. Your diarist has enjoyed a lifelong affection for spring lambs, especially when they are served with minted carrots, peas and new potatoes.

From our parking spots at the far end of Laneside Road, we walked even further uphill along a rocky path. We walked through a wooden gate (3mins) and continued to a second wooden gate beyond which were crossroads in the paths (20mins)

We continued straight on going down and up before we reached Big Stone – a huge rock outcrop - overlooking a valley below. The views in every direction were wonderful although at this time an early morning mist shrouded some of the surrounding moorland.

 

 

 Looking back from Big Stone 

 

Having arrived at Big Stone (29mins) we waited for the stragglers to catch up before pausing for a photo opportunity (34mins) 

 

  A fine body of men at Big Stone 

 

 

Facing the valley we turned left for 10 yards and then began a tricky descent to a track where we turned left (31mins). This took us through a wooden gate towards the A623 Glossop-Chapel Road. Just before we reached it (51mins) we passed the farmhouse called Peep-o-Day on our left.

After turning left at the A623 we crossed it and soon turned right uphill (54mins). The track reached a junction where we dog-legged right and left through a wooden gate (57mins). After going through another wooden gate we turned right (62mins) and crossed a ladder stile to begin a stiff climb towards South Head.

Our leader commented that the ascent reminded him of an occasion when he had mounted the rear of The Great Gable. Whether he was referring to Hollywood legends Clark Gable or Betty Grable is unclear but we live in enlightened times so no further clarification was sought.

At a handy sheltered depression in the land on the right side of the path we stopped for Pietime (74mins), enjoying splendid views across the valley below 

 

          Our elevated view at Pietime

 

Continuing our climb we reached a gravel path and turned left for 30 yards before taking a path on our right steeply uphill (82mins). This brought us to the cairn marking the summit of South Head (89mins)

After waiting for stragglers (94mins) we began our descent which was a continuation of the path which had brought us to the cairn. When we reached a path across (91mins) we turned left and then right at a green public footpath sign (93mins) which indicated the way to Hayfield via Coldwell Clough.

 

 

We went left through a wooden gate and followed a sign for the National Trust Trail (109mins). This took us through South Head Farm (114mins) before swinging left across a bridge (119mins). The lane then took us to a farmhouse on our right which we entered through a metal gate and exited through another metal gate at the rear (124mins)

The path then took us over a stone step stile and a stile next to an electrified fence to reach a farm track (131mins). After walking through a farmyard we turned left downhill and immediately right over a wooden stile (133mins). We crossed another stone step stile to emerge opposite Tunstead House (138mins)

 

      A new-born calf being protected by two cows

 

Turning left downhill we passed a bridge on our left before crossing Bowden Bridge on our right (150mins). The bridge marks the point where the River Kinder becomes the River Sett. On its far side, we turned left along Kinder Road and reached The Sportsman Inn on our right (155mins)

Here we enjoyed pints of Theakstons' cask ale in the beer garden at the back where we were joined by Jock, who had walked along the Sett Valley Trail from New Mills.

Suitably refreshed we walked diagonally left from the pub entrance to reach a flight of steps which we descended. At the foot of the steps was a bridge across the Sett. We crossed this and walked towards the centre of Hayfield with the river on our right.

At a crossroads (166mins) we went straight ahead through Fishers Bridge to reach the A623. We crossed the main road, turned right for 15 yards then turned left along the A6015.

 

 

We passed The Kinder Lodge on our right, turned next right towards the bus station and then left to reach trestle picnic tables where we stopped for lunch (168mins). Afterwards, we headed towards New Mills along The Sett Valley Trail, passing a host of hawthorn bushes covered in dazzling white-scented blossom.

 

   Hawthorns frosted in blossom

 

We left the trail at a sign for Chinley (188mins) and crossed the A6015 to head up Morland Lane at the side of former pub The Grouse in Birch Vale. This was the final relentless climb uphill until we passed through a wooden gate and turned right (202mins)

This took us towards the telecom mast on Ollersett Moor where we crossed a wooden stile (205mins) and continued along the path, crossing another wooden stile (212mins) and a ladder stile (215mins) to reach a lane.

We squeezed through a gap next to a gate and turned left (213mins), waiting outside a cottage for the rest of the group to catch up (218mins). We carried on until we reached the end of Laneside Road on our right where our cars were parked (228mins). Some planned to have a final drink in The Masons Arms at New Mills.

Next week's walk will start at 9.50am from the overflow car park of The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth, High Peak (SK22 1EB). We will be aiming to reach The Kinder Lodge at Hayfield around 12.20pm for a bracer and finishing with a drink at The Little Mill at about 2.15pm. 

Happy wandering !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taddington

 May 17, 2023.

TADDINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, OVER WHEAL FARM, DEEP DALE, SHELDON, MAGPIE MINE, MONYASH, BARN CLOSE FARM, LIMESTONE WAY, FLAGG, HIGH STOOL HOUSE FARM, THE CHURCH AT CHELMORTON, BANK PIT SPRING (ILLY WILLY WATER), SOUGH TOP, TADDINGTON

Distance: 11 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Dry with Cloud, Sunshine and a Gentle Breeze.

Walkers: Alastair Cairns, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Julian Ross, Dean Taylor, Simon Williams, Dave Willetts, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (hols), Peter Beal (sore foot), Andy Blease (in Anglesey),

George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Enright (marking), Mark Gibby and Hughie Hardiman (walking locally to return to watch York races on TV), Jonathan Hart (w^*king), John Jones (preparing for move to Arnside), Keith Welsh.

Leader: Taylor. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Road outside Taddington and Priestcliffe C of E Primary School, School Lane, Taddington, near Buxton SK17 9TW.

Starting time: 9.55am. Finishing time: 2.45pm.

A creche for lambs ?

Dean used a booklet of Peak District walks to find this gem of a journey through five of Derbyshire's pretty villages as spring began to give way to summer. This was demonstrated by the numbers of cows with calves and ewes with lambs in the fields along our route.

There was also an uplifting amount of vibrant colour from wild flowers blossoming in the hills and dales. On an historical note we paused at a former lead mine where a row between rival miners in 1833 led to three deaths. On a cheerier note we were treated to a round of drinks by Simon to celebrate his 54^th birthday. Simon represents the junior branch of The Wednesday Wanderers and is part of our youth policy. We wish him many happy returns of the day.

Despite a record number of stiles to negotiate we kept up a brisk pace throughout only to find that our final watering hole, The Queens Arms at Taddington, was closed at 2.50pm. A disappointing end to an otherwise brilliant day.

With the school on our right we walked into the village on the road towards Ashbourne and Bakewell. As we were reaching the end of Taddington where the main road swung left we carried straight on for 100 yards then turned right at a wooden public footpath sign (12mins) and headed uphill.

At a T junction we turned left (19mins) and reached a lane where we turned right (22mins). This took us past Over Wheal Farm on our left (31mins) and we continued until we reached a wooden public footpath sign and turned left (35mins). We went through a wooden gate to enter Deep Dale, crossing a series of stone step stiles as we plunged steeply downhill and just as steeply back up again through two wooden gates.

Tom climbing up Deep Dale

We continued going over stiles through several fields before reaching a lane via a stone step stile and turning left (59mins). We soon passed the sign for Sheldon and walked through the village passing the comically-named Cock And Pullet on our right (62mins)

The Cock and Pullet

After passing The Byre on our right we turned right through a wooden gate at a wooden public footpath sign (65mins), crossed a stone step stile (69mins) and stepped over a broken wall to enter a field which we exited by another stone step stile (70mins) keeping next to a drystone wall on our left before crossing another stone step stile (72mins). We could now see the distinctive shape of our next target, The Magpie Mine, on the skyline ahead.

Part of the ruins of The Magpie Mine

On reaching the reasonably well preserved ruins of this once-thriving lead mine we paused for Pietime (76mins)

In its heyday in the 19^th Century the mine's main shaft was 728 feet deep although the bottom 160 feet were often flooded in wet weather. The Magpie Sough was a drainage tunnel more than a mile long which was completed in 1881 after eight years' work. It ran into the River Wye at Ashford-in-the-Water.

Originally there had been several separate and competing mines on the site which were governed by “Barmote Laws.” Trouble broke out in 1833 when Magpie miners working on the North Bole Vein underground were in collision with Maypitt miners working the Great Redsoil Vein.

Workers on both sides lit fires to smoke out their rivals. Three Maypitt miners were killed by inhaling sulphurous fumes. Widows of the victims put a curse on the Magpie Mine, but it continued to be worked until the 1950s.

We carried on by turning right at the foot of a flight of steps and passing to the left of a building with a corrugated roof and through a small wooden gate before crossing a stone step stile (79mins). We crossed another stone step stile to reach a road where we turned right (86mins)

Wild flowers provided colourful scenery

We soon swung left and after 100 yards turned left at a wooden public footpath sign to enter a field (87mins). We continued over stiles and through gates before following a sign for Monyash. At one point as we were crossing a field a herd of heifers came galloping over to inspect us.

Our route continued through fields until we crossed a stone step stile to reach a lane and turned right (105mins). We passed a sign for Monyash (111mins), reached a road and turned left (113mins)

Turning right at a wooden public footpath sign (115mins) we went right again through a gap stile, reaching a lane through another gap stile and turning right to pass Barn Close Farm on our right (123mins).

Just before we reached a metal gate we turned left at a wooden public footpath sign (126mins) and crossed a stone step stile signed for Flagg (129mins)

After crossing another stone step stile and going through a small wooden gate we picked up a sign for The Limestone Way (138mins). We passed the sign for Flagg and before entering the village itself turned left through a gap stile (140mins). We crossed two stone step stiles to reach a road and turned left uphill (145mins)

After passing Edge Close Farm on our right (147mins) we turned left ignoring the road on our right signposted for Chelmorton (152mins). Turning right at High Stool House Farm (154mins) we walked unmolested through a field of grouchy cows with calves and crossed stone step stiles to reach a road where we turned left (167mins)

After passing a sign to Taddington on our right, we took the next lane right (171mins). We reached a T junction and turned right with St John the Baptist's Church at Chelmorton on our right and the welcome sight of The Church Inn on our left (179mins)

By now we had been joined for the last half mile by Jock with Milly, and were delighted to be treated to a round of drinks by birthday boy Simon.

It was interesting to note that the £4-20 price of a pint of Marstons' Pedigree here was greater than your diarist received in 1961 in his first week's pay packet. For a five and a half day week, with two weeks annual holiday, I was paid the equivalent in pounds, shillings and pence of £3-90 after deductions for tax and insurance. As was the custom I gave my mum £2 for my keep, paid 77p for my weekly rail fare: the remaining £1-13 was mine to squander !

After enjoying our drinks in the sunlit beer garden, we left the pub, turning left uphill to pass Bank Pit Spring on our left. (181mins). According to local folklore this was known as the Illy Willy Water for reasons too disturbing to even contemplate. Further on, after climbing uphill, a wooden gate brought us to a lane which we crossed (189mins) and proceeded forwards via a stone step stile.

Our route now took us along well-trodden paths through fields using stone step stiles until we reached a man-made mound which proved to be an underground reservoir (209mins). Here, at Sough Top, we paused for lunch.

Afterwards we continued in a north-easterly direction along paths through fields, crossing stone step stiles and a broken wall until we could see the village of Taddington directly below us.

The descent into Taddington

The well-marked path brought us to the outskirts of the village via a wooden stile which we crossed and turned left to walk back to our cars. Sadly the hopes of some still thirsty wanderers to call in The Queens Arms were dashed when they found the pub shut at 2.50pm.

Next weeks' walk will be led by John Jones on his last Wednesday before relocating to Arnside, It starts at 9.40am from the end of Laneside Road in Low Leighton, New Mills (SK22 4LU). To reach it follow the road between New Mills and Hayfield, turning into Laneside Road opposite The Hare and Hounds pub. Drive till the end of the lane and park at the side of it.

JJ will lead us via Big Stone to Peep-a-Day, Mount Famine and South Head before stopping to knock the froth of one or two at The Sportsman Inn, Hayfield, around 12.40pm. We continue along The Sett Valley Trail and Ollersett Moor back to our cars – a journey just short of 10 miles.

Happy wandering !

Disley

 May 10, 2023.

DISLEY, BOLLINHURST RESERVOIR, MILLENIUM WOOD, BOULDER HALL FARM, BLACK ROCKS, GREENSHALL LANE, PEAK FOREST CANAL, GOYT VALLEY, MOUSELEY BOTTOM WOOD, TORRS RIVERSIDE PARK, MASONS ARMS AT NEW MILLS, PEAK FOREST CANAL, DANDY COCK AT DISLEY

Distance: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Weather: Mainly cloudy with sunny spells and showers.

Walkers: Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Julian Ross, Keith Welsh, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (boat trip), Peter Beal, Alastair Cairns (in Buttermere), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Jonathan Hart (w^*king), Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman (on holiday), John Jones (house inspection in Silverdale), Dean Taylor (attending birthday party)

Leaders (official): Cassini and Hart; (unofficial): Cunliffe.

Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park at Disley railway station.

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.20pm

This week's walk should have been led by Dean from Taddington but his unavailability led to a change of plans. Mike offered to make his debut as a Wednesday Wanderers' leader in conjunction with your diarist who would be responsible for the first leg of the route. Mike was to cut his teeth on plotting the return journey.

The carefully constructed scheme was scuppered however when Tom seized leadership of the walk minutes before Mike was due to take over.

Cries of “control freak” fell literally on deaf ears as Tom diverted from our planned route and marched ahead along a trail that Mike had planned to use for the walk back to Disley. Some walkers wanted to follow the designated leaders but were faced with breaking into two groups your diarist said we should follow Tom.

As we are anxious to encourage new leaders may I suggest that in the future volunteers should be allowed to lead without interference unless they are heading the wrong way. Followers should just follow. How hard can that be?

The walk itself through attractive scenery went well although there was a constant threat of rain from dark clouds above. Mercifully we were spared all but a few drops until we reached the pub in New Mills. Heavier rain fell as we left The Masons Arms but it subsided after half an hour and we completed the journey in the sunshine.

From the car park we walked past The Ram's Head and turned right uphill, turning right again just before The White Horse into Ring o' Bells Lane. This takes its name after the pub which used to be at the top of the lane, but which is now a Quakers' meeting house. The ancient pub sign remains on the wall.

Sign on the wall of the former pub

We crossed a footbridge over the stream after turning right in front of the sign and then proceeded past the graves on each side of the footpath with St Mary The Virgin's, parish church of Disley, on our right. Cutting diagonally left through a field beyond the cemetery we emerged on a lane and soon turned right through a metal kissing gate to head diagonally left again through a field aiming for Lyme Cage in the distance.

This brought us to a lane that we headed along with the cage ahead to our right. At a green public footpath sign just before we reached a farmhouse we turned left (15mins). Bollinhurst Reservoir soon appeared on our right.

The reservoir with Lyme Park beyond

The path next to the wall alongside the reservoir on our right brought us to a wooden stile leading into a copse (25mins). We followed the path beyond the stile to a five-barred wooden gate. On the far side of the gate, we crossed the lane to head for Drake Carr. With the cottage of that name on our right, we turned left to enter Millenium Wood.

We emerged from the wood onto a main road (35mins) and turned right uphill. After passing Boulder Hall Farm on our left we crossed the road and went over a wooden stile by a holly bush alongside a public footpath sign for Black Rock (38mins)

Crossing another wooden stile we followed the well-trodden path towards a finger post and continued ahead until the path swung gradually left and we picked up a well-trodden path to the summit (50mins). We reached the ridge at Black Rocks and paused to collect our collective breath.

Simon looks down from Black Rocks

We now began our descent (55mins), turning left and crossing a ladder stile which led us to a field with a wood on our right. We kept left and then went through a metal kissing gate leading to a public footpath through a cottage garden (70mins)

After crossing a main road we walked through a gate opposite to follow the footpath through another garden before reaching a narrow path on our left and followed it downhill. This led to a lane where we turned right (75mins)

As we headed downhill and the path ahead became rocky we took a path alongside it to the left which enabled us to avoid the water flowing down the rocky path. We emerged at the end of Greenshall Lane (82mins) and crossed the A6 to enter Lower Greenshall Lane. After going under a railway bridge we crossed Bridge 27 over the Peak Forest Canal and turned immediately left to stop for Pietime (87mins)

Continuing with the canal on our left we headed towards Marple where we passed Jock and Milly heading towards New Mills in the opposite direction. Just after Bridge 25 we turned right through a gap stile and descended a steep path through woodland. After climbing down and up a flight of steps we reached a T junction and turned right (104mins)

After crossing a wooden stile we entered more woodland, turning left over a wooden stile and passing a pond on our right to enter a factory car park. We turned right up a lane and immediately left (107mins) to follow a path right which ultimately dropped to the right bank of the River Goyt.

The path then led uphill to a road where we turned left (111mins) and crossed a road bridge over the Goyt. We were now approaching Hague Bar and the point beyond where Mike was scheduled to take on the baton of leadership for the rest of the journey.

However, Tom who was walking ahead turned right at a sign for Mouseley Bottom Wood (116mins). When he was called back and told he was going the wrong way he said he preferred woodland paths to tarmac. Mike pointed out that the way Tom was heading was the route Mike had planned to return along.

But Tom would brook no argument and simply marched back towards the wood shouting “Come on men” as if he were our general. While the majority hesitated I argued that it would be better to stick together and follow Tom despite his unacceptable behaviour.

(No doubt those who disagree with my assessment will be in touch)

The path took us through the wood and into the Torrs Riverside Park (123mins). When we reached a rough lane we turned right (132mins) and walked along The Millenium Bridge (136mins)

The weir from Millenium Bridge

We then exited Torrs Riverside Park to reach Hyde Bank Road which we followed until swinging sharply left uphill to The Masons Arms (151mins). Here we enjoyed pints of Storm Brewing's IPA guest ale at £2-50 a pint. We were soon joined by Jock and Milly who had inserted a loop into their alternative route.

As we left the pub and turned right it had started raining quite heavily and waterproofs were donned as Mike now led us through the centre of New Mills instead of retracing our footsteps along the path he had previously planned.

We turned left at a junction (155mins), turned right at Rock Mill Lane (158mins) and immediately left down a cobbled street. We crossed the main road into Victoria Street (168mins) and turned right to reach The Peak Forest Canal (169mins). Lunch was taken there under the shelter of a bridge.

Peak Forest Canal

Resuming we walked with the canal on our left, passing Swizzels' sweet factory on our right as we headed towards Marple. We left the canal just beyond Bridge 26 (189mins), where we swung sharp right to cross it. We turned right into Hollinwood Road which ended with a sharp incline as we reached the A6 and The Dandy Cock on our left (197mins). Turning right we reached Disley's main traffic lights, crossed the road and turned right to the station car park (202mins)

Jock and I were the only wanderers to take a final glass at The Dandy Cock.

Next week's walk will start at 9.55am outside the Taddington and Priestcliffe C of E Primary School, School Lane, Taddington SK17 9TW. Dean will lead us through Sheldon, Monyash and Flagg to The Church Inn at Chelmorton for a bracer around 12.45pm, before returning to The Queens Arms, Taddington, at about 3pm. Pietime will take place at the site of The Magpie Mine.

Happy Wandering !

New Mills

 May 3, 2023.

NEW MILLS, THE TORRS RIVERSIDE PARK, GOYT VALLEY, GOWHOLE FARM, OLLERSETT MOOR, LITTLE RIDGE FARM, THE KINDER LODGE AT HAYFIELD, THE SETT VALLEY TRAIL, THE MASONS ARMS AT NEW MILLS

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Weather: Dry with blue skies and sunshine.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Alastair Cairns, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Enright, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Dave Willetts.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Andy Blease (family commitments), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Jonathan Hart (w^*king), Keith Welsh (dog at vets), Simon Williams (unspecified), Cliff Worthington (back injury)

Starting point: Free car park outside New Mills Leisure Centre, Hyde Bank Road, New Mills (SK22 4BP)

Starting time: 9.55am. Finishing time: 2.35pm.

                                                     

Despite Tom's assertions to the contrary, this was a new walk never attempted before by The Wednesday Wanderers although several sections of the route were familiar territory.

Four of the group started with prior approval from the last leg of the journey, completing the Sett Valley Trail before meeting their seven chums in the car park outside New Mills Leisure Centre. They were thus able to complete the walk when they neared their homes in Hayfield and Birch Vale. The seven wanderers who started from New Mills then joined the Trail at Hayfield and returned to New Mills.

From the path at the back of the car park, we turned right with the Leisure Centre entrance on our right. We walked under the road bridge and turned left following a sign for The Torrs (1min) to enter The Torrs Riverside Park with the River Sett on our left. We crossed a footbridge on our left and crossed back via another footbridge.

River Sett at The Torrs

On our right was Torrs Hydro, a hydroelectric plant powered by the River Goyt turning a reverse Archimedes screw. It is sited at the confluence of the Sett and the Goyt and was the first community-run power generator of its type when it opened in 2008. Its original £100,000 cost was shared by 200 members.

The Torrs Riverside Park

We went left over a footbridge at the confluence of the two rivers and were now walking along the bank of the Goyt with the river on our right (15mins).At one point we spotted the traditional English spring lambs gambolling responsibly in a field on our left. On our right a lazy llama lay in a field far from its native South America. Clearly, life in North West England was preferable to the drudgery as a beast of burden in Patagonia.

The path took us through a metal gate and through a farmyard. Turning right past Gowhole Farm we turned left after 50 yards up a lane called Ladypit Road. We turned left at a green public footpath sign up stone steps to enter a copse via a gate. This path took us through Tunnel 125 under the Hope Valley Railway Line between Stockport and Sheffield.

It led onto a stone step stile which we crossed to reach a lane and turned left. After 50 yards we turned right at an empty footpath sign which took us uphill through trees. We walked through a farmyard and when we reached a crossroads we carried straight on, passing a rebuilt farmhouse on our right.

Lantern Pike appeared ahead on our left

When we reached a stone step stile we stopped for Pietime (60mins). Continuing the path now took us over a series of stiles leading to a lane. We crossed a wooden stile to enter the lane and turned left. At a public footpath sign on our right, we turned right by squeezing through a gap next to a gate. The path brought us first to a ladder stile and then a wooden stile.

Beyond this the path aimed towards a telecom mast at the top of a hill on Ollersett Moor which we reached by crossing a wooden stile.

Approaching the telecom mast on Ollersett Moor

We continued to follow the path downhill to a gate which brought us onto a lane Here we turned left downhill along Morland Road and turned first right to walk through the farmyard at Little Ridge Farm. After going through a gate into a field we headed right then left as we passed an open gate with a yellow arrow.

By heading slightly left through this next field we reached and crossed a combined wood and stone step stile. The path then took us past Ridge Top Farm as we headed steeply downhill. The track became a road as we reached the outskirts of Hayfield.

At the end of Chapel Street, we turned right and the Kinder Lodge was immediately on our left (113mins). Here we enjoyed pints of Timothy Taylor's Landlord cask bitter or two alternative cask-conditioned ales.

We were joined by Jock with Milly, but inexplicably lost Peter. His explanation that it was bit early to start drinking was a disgrace to British journalism and we were left to speculate what crime he might have committed to get banned from The Kinder Lodge.

Suitably refreshed we left the pub turning right and then right again to approach the former Hayfield railway station, now a bus terminus, at the start of the Sett Valley Trail. Picnic tables provided an ideal point to stop for lunch (115mins).

The Sett Valley Trail is a leisure facility for horse riders, cyclists and walkers along the two and a half mile trackbed of the former branch line linking Hayfield with New Mills via Birch Vale, Thornsett and Ollersett. The railway had opened in 1868 and closed in 1970.

After lunch we set off along the trail which crossed roads at various intervals.

A lake on the right of The Sett Valley Trail

At the fourth crossing, having arrived in the outskirts of New Mills, we turned right downhill to reach Hyde Bank Road. Here we turned right before swinging sharply left and heading uphill to reach The Masons Arms on our right (165mins).

By now, having left the Hayfield posse at The Kinder Lodge and with some deciding to eschew further refreshment, there were five of us who sampled the Wainwrights' bitter and other cask ales.

We then retraced our footsteps uphill to The Sett Valley Trail and turned right to reach the leisure centre car park (187mins)

Next week's walk will start at 0940 from the car park at Disley Station. We intend to pay another visit to The Masons Arms at New Mills for a livener around 1230 before returning to Disley at about 1420. For those still thirsty there will be the option of drinks in The Dandy Cock or The White Horse.

Happy Wandering !

Sutton Hall

Sutton Hall, Sutton Reservoir, Croker Lane, Croker Hill, Higher Sutton, Ryles Arms, Fox Bank, Ridge Hill, Judy Lane, Hollin Lane, Sutton Hall.

Leader: Owen

Minutes: Owen

Weather: dry and initially chilly but sunny

Attendees: Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Chris Owen, Mark Gibby, Dean Taylor, Dave Willet, Mark Enright, Simon Williams

Apologies: Tom Cunliffe (Camping), Alistair (Camping), Julian(Camping), Alan (jollies) Jonny (working) Cliff (mortgage for son),

Difficulty: one hill, a long one!

Sutton Hall

At precisely 09.40hrs we set off down Sutton Hall drive and turned left onto Bullocks Lane. After about 300 yards we went over a stile on our left and walked diagonally across a field exiting the field onto Walker lane at the ‘Old Poor House’. Going left along Walker Lane we passed the Post Office turning right onto Cop Meadow and exiting turning right onto Symondly road. We passed through a gate and passed through a number of fields and woods coming out onto Leek Old road opposite Sutton Reservoir.

We turned left and went uphill until we reached Croker lane where we again turned left. We continued to go uphill, uphill, uphill, uphill…. until we arrived at the BT premise aka Sutton Tower.

Turning left we were briefly on the Gritstone trail and commenced going downhill through a series of kissing gates and fields until we exited onto the A52 and turned left. 200 yards further on we went left through a kissing gate and again going downhill passed a number of farm premises on route to pie time being taken on an embankment.

                                                                      

Undulating terrain, Alpacas, sheep, horses, chickens and farmyards led us to Hollin Lane where we turned right heading for the Ryles Arms where we met Jock and Milly coming towards us.

Andy has an immediately pending significant birthday (60) and kindly bought a round of drinks for the ‘band of brothers’.

Post refreshments we left the pub and went down a lane behind the Ryles Arms and turned left again onto the Gritstone trail. A series of fields led us back onto Hollin lane where we turned right turning right again after some 300 yards. The last incline beckoned and we went up Fox Bank going through an attractive settlement coming out onto Ridge Hill and turned left. We continued along Ridge Hill turning left at Judy Lane going downhill. 

Church road, Hollin Lane, and entering the rear of Sutton Hall concluded the walk where further drinks were taken.

Next week's walk will start at 0955 from the free New Mills Leisure Centre car park off Hyde Bank Road, New Mills (SK224BP). Alan will lead us through The Torrs Riverside Park before a steady climb up Ollersett Moor, reaching the summit at the telecom mast before descending into Hayfield for a bracer in The Kinder Lodge around 12.10pm. We will then return along the Set Valley Trail back to the car park at about 14.10pm. Those still thirsty will find the nearby Masons Arms open.

Happy wandering !