Introduction
It was the weekend of the Long Distance Walkers Association’s 50th
Anniversary and the South Manchester Group had asked for suggestions as to how
this might be celebrated. I proposed
that a 50-mile walk might be appropriate and that the Peak District Boundary
Walk was a local route that was easily accessible. The 50 miles between
Bollington and Old Glossop had good transport links with Manchester, Stockport
and Macclesfield. After a slow acceptance and much reconnoitring, the scheme
eventually gained momentum and received
great support from both the South Manchester and High Peak Groups.
Friday 17th June 2022 Bollington
– Buxton
Hottest Day of the Year
Bridget and David had offered to
pick me up on their way through Macclesfield and we called into the railway
station to collect Andrea. We drove to the Vale Car Park in Bollington and
walked up to Pool End, the official start of our walk. Frank and Quentin were
waiting for us and just after 9am, the six of us set off on the first day of
our 50-mile expedition. The forecast was for very hot temperatures so sun-cream
and sunhats were the order of the day. The first 5 miles of the route were in a
generally northerly direction taking us further away from Buxton, our ultimate
goal. We stopped briefly to look at the capped coal shaft about Bakestonedale
and again at the lovely cottages at Birchencliff. The Coffee Tavern on Shrigley
Road was a tempting refreshment stop but it was far too early for such
frivolities. Instead we paused for ten minutes at a bench on the canal tow-path
before crossing the metal footbridge, listening to one of Quentin’s lectures, and
ascending into Lyme Park.
The first major climb of the day
led us up beside Lantern Wood and over the ridge to the old Moorside Hotel, now
a school. An easy descent into Whaley Bridge emerged right opposite the Bridge
Bakehouse where we sat in the sun and any shade we could find. I demolished a
large piece of cake in preparation for the second half of our day’s walk and
David went back for more. Down in the Goyt Valley and out of the breeze, it was
really hotting up. We set off again into the park and up the side of the damaged
wall of the dam which had made the national news three years ago. There was
some shade along the wooded river as we walked through Taxal and up the valley
passed Fernilee Reservoir. But once out on Errwood Dam and around Bunsal Cob,
we were at the sun’s mercy. Andrea began to overheat as we traversed above
Errwood Reservoir and climbed to the old railway line. The final climb over the
last ridge at Beet Wood was a struggle in what we later learned was almost 30
degrees temperature.
It was a relief to be heading
downhill at last and over the golf course towards Buxton. I had to wax lyrical
about the bars of Buxton to prevent Andrea from disappearing into the golf club
house for a drink. Instead she stood in someone’s front garden under a lawn
sprinkler. Suitably cooled, we quickly dropped into town and through the
Pavilion Gardens to the Buxton Brewery Tap where some local beers were quickly
dispatched. Then Bridget, David and myself returned to my car which had been
there overnight. I drove them back to Bollington and then drove home to a cold shower
and a welcome meal.
Bollington dep. 09.04, Buxton arr.
17.30
GPS 19.09 miles in 7hrs 28mins 36secs
walking time, plus a 40-minute stop in Whaley Bridge for coffee and cake and a
15-minute stop in the Goyt Valley.
We ended our day at the Buxton
Brewery Tap and cooled off with a pint of Deepdale (4.0%), a session IPA from
the local brewery.
Saturday 18th June 2022 Buxton - Hayfield
Diversionary Tactics
My wife gave me a lift down to the bus station for the early bus over the
Cat and Fiddle. David was also on the same bus. Thank goodness it was cooler
today. Perhaps a little too cool as a brisk wind blew across the open spaces of
Buxton Market Place. The customary group photographs were taken: a party some ten
walkers strong set off at 9am heading for King Sterndale. Our numbers were
swelled in the main by a group of women from the High Peak group of the LWDA. David
G, the chairman of the South Manchester Group, regaled us with the story of his
lucky escape from a rampant herd of cows in the very field we were passing
through. The guidebook indicated that the original route turned into Deep Dale
but this dale has long been closed due to erosion and industrial activities. So
we were well prepared for the steep climb up to Caxterway Lane, the diversion
route into Wye Dale. The bicycle hire kiosk was open for coffee and scones and
the first refreshment halt of the day was called.
The next section began with a big climb up to Mosley Farm and over the
fields to Wormhill. A road section took us passed Hargate Hall and over rough
pasture to the descending path into Hay Dale. Our butty break was taken sitting
on the rocks and shelfed grass half way along the dale. Then we quickly moved
on along Dam Dale to Damside Farm. Here the route was signed towards Newhouses
Farm and a busy road to Peak Forest. As we did not need to visit Peak Forest
(no café, closed pub etc.) the chance of a short cut over the fields to Chamber
Farm was too tempting. Looking behind us, we saw Frank, who had arrived an hour
late at Buxton, coming up the road behind us. So now we were eleven, I had had
great problems in finding the correct route around Middle Barwood Farm and up
the gorsy bank above Boltedge Farm. But Gill and Bev, in the vanguard of the
party, found all the stiles and overgrown paths with no trouble. After an
altercation with a herd of cattle, mitigated by the Neil’s brave defiance, we
dropped gentle down the fields to Blackbrook where we said goodbye to two of
our group.
The afternoon section was short
and sharp. After a brief refuelling stop at Bowden Head, the route climbed up
to Malcoff Farm, dropped steeply down to the railway line before rearing up
towards South Head. A wonderful high level track weaved between South Head and
Mount Famine before beginning the long descent into Hayfield. Just above
Peep-a-Day, we lost further members of the group but five staunch folk saw out
the full route via Bowden Bridge and through the campsite into Hayfield
Village. The Three Musketeers from High Peak continued down the road to their
bed & breakfast. David and I jumped into David’s wife’s car for the drive
home. A long and satisfying day, done to time and budget.
Buxton dep. 09.02, Hayfield arr. 18.05
GPS 21.14 miles in 8hrs 18mins 10secs
walking plus several short stops in Wye Dale, Hay Dale and Bowden Head.
Sunday 19th June 2022 Hayfield
– Old Glossop
From Pike To Edge
It was my turn to drive. I picked up Bridget and David from Wilmslow and
drove to Hayfield via the new road, the A555. My plan was to park up at the bus
station car park and get a lift back at the end of the day with Steve and his
son. But Steve’s son had withdrawn his offer so I drove in convoy with Steve to
Old Glossop, dropped my car near the pub and returned with him to Hayfield. The
car park was full with the competitors and supporters of the Tour of Tameside
race. But we finally got away along the Sett Valley Trail some ten minutes
late, picking up the High Peak Team from near their Birch Vale b&b. The
climb up Lantern Pike seemed endless, initially up a rising track through some
woodland and then up a step path beside a wall onto the summit ridge. The view
from the trig point was restricted by grey gloom across the landscape.
The convoluted route down to Rowarth passed much more quickly and we were
soon admiring the manicured surrounds of the Little Mill. On my recce I had
followed the map but today I took the signed track to the right which was
described in the text of the guidebook. I believe that this is not the only
point where map and text disagree. I can only assume that the updates in the transcript
are not reflected in the strip maps. Leaving the village on our second climb of
the day we paused for a few minutes to eat our sandwiches and then completed
our ascent onto Cown Edge. The flat grassy ridge was too wide to provide much
in the way of good views but it was easy walking. The northern end of the ridge
offered the best views down to Charlesworth and Glossop. I have a long history
with the next descent, having failed to find the correct route on three previous
visits. But now I had it spot on, aided of course by my new Ordnance Survey App
on my phone. We soon were standing on a traffic island on the main road into
Glossop.
The official route of course does not take the road but circumnavigated a
new housing estate and by-passed Glossop Town Centre on a high-level path to
the east. This eventually deposited us at a road crossing and the entrance into
Manor Park. It was busy with Sunday family activities so we quickly passed by
the bowling greens and out via the Queens Arms into Church Road South. At the top of here
stood the Bulls Head, our final destination and the end of our 50-mile treck. I
was treated by Bev to a pint of White Rat (4.0%) from Ossett Brewing and we sat
outside and toasted the LDWA, ourselves and our successful venture. I returned
Steve to his car in Hayfield and then drove home with Bridget and David. A most
enjoyable weekend for all concerned.
Hayfield dep. 10.10, Old Glossop arr.14.15
GPS 9.21 miles in 3hrs 45mins 03secs
walking time plus a 15mins butty break above Rowarth.
Conclusion
We felt that we had done justice
to the 50th Anniversary of the LDWA. The South Manchester Group had
turned out in force, nobly supported by our colleagues in High Peak. I have
promised to lead the first section again next year for those who, because of
work commitments, could not make this year’s Friday start. For my own part, I
have made a start with a trail that I really should get to know better. So I
plan to return to Old Glossop in the not too distant future and continue on to
Marsden and Ringinglow. Perhaps next year I will have got all the way round,
either by myself or with LDWA members who fancy the challenge.
