Yorkshire Walks

Hathersage

It was very hot and the climb had been quite tiring in the heat. As always in Derbyshire there were quite a lot of people about enjoying this lovely place. After our break we walked south east along the edge, crossing two minor roads, for about 4km to Higger Tor. From there we continued in the same general direction for another 2km to the A6187 at a sharp right angle bend. We crossed the road and followed a path through pleasant beech woods to the start of the drive to Longshaw Lodge, a National Trust estate. We stopped at the Lodge for a drink at the cafe. In front of the lodge is a large sloping field which is the site of the sheep dog tirals at the beginning of September. From the lodge we followed the path a few hundred meters to the lake and then through the woods towards Nether Padley. Just before Nether Padley we turned right to Upper Padley. We passed the cafe at the station and crossed the railway at the start of Totley tunnel (over 6km long). We turned left to walk through Upper Padley to Padley Chapel (all that remains of Padley Manor). From there we followed the path to the River Derwent and followed the river upstream to the road on the outskirts of Hathersage. We crossed the road and followed the path across the fields parallel to the road back to Hathersage, and made our way back through the town to our car park.

Hathersage church

This morning my wife and I met a group of friends in the car park at Hathersage opposite the open air swimming pool. It was a hot sunny day and a friend who lives in Buxton but was born in Hathersage was going to lead our walk. We started walking at about 10.45 and climbed up to the parish church where Little John (Robin Hoods friend) is buried. From the church we walked across the fields to Brookfield Manor and on to a road by a house called Bronte Cottage. About 100m beyond the house we turned left up a walled track to North Lees. This is a fortified farm house that was seen by Charlotte Bronte when she stayed at the Hathersage vicarage in 1845, and was the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in her novel Jane Eyre. We continued to climb up towards Stanage Edge, crossing a minor road before the final and steepest part of the climb through some very pretty woods and then up through the rocks on to the edge itself. Once at the top we stopped for some lunch and to admire the wonderful views all around us.

Hathersage church

The whole route had been about 16km and had taken us almost 6 hours with our stops. It had been quite a tiring day in the heat. I wished I had my swimming trunks when we got back to the car park by the open air swimming pool!

Little John's grave at Hathersage church

Crossing the fields from Hathersage Church to Brookfield Manor

Heading towards Stanage Edge

North Lees, Charlotte Bronte's inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre

North Lees, Charlotte Bronte's inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre

Approaching Stanage Edge through the woods

Our first close-up view of Stanage Edge

Looking back through the woods from the foot of Stanage Edge

Looking down from Stanage Edge

Lunch stop on Stanage Edge

Leaving Stanage Edge for Higger Tor

Helicoptors flying over Higger Tor

Helicoptors flying over Higger Tor

Leaving Higger Tor

Higger Tor from Hathersge Moor

Longshaw Lodge - a National Trust property

The lake in Longshaw Country Park

Woodland in Longshaw Country Park

Entrance to Totley tunnel 6km long

Padley Chapel - remains of Padley Manor

River Derwent near Padley Chapel

Herd of beef cattle by the river Derwent near Hathersage

Family of ducks on the Derwent near Hathersage

River Derwent near Hathersage