Yesterday's walk was designed to show parts of Derbyshire that have not yet been scarred with progress.
We alighted from the bus in Pomeroy and hastily left the main road where traffic screams past at high speed following the old Roman road. We took a path across the fields to the charming village of Chelmorton.
Chelmorton retains its medieaval structure - a stream (Illy Willy Water!!) rises on Chelmorton Low above the village and runs down the hill, the single road clinging to its route with buildings on either side the oldest dating from 1634. At one time the stream fed a series of seven troughs for horses one of which has been lovingly restored. The road peters out at the beautiful church dating back to Norman times and a footpath climbs to the top of Chelmorton Low where the historical legacy of man's occupation becomes evident.
Everywhere can be seen quarries where the local limestone has been excavated to build the typical white buildings, and hillocks of debris left by mining over the centuries often following the line of a seam of lead.
From here we took what might be called the Path of A Thousand Stiles, again testimony to the unspoilt nature of the area. It is one of the few places where the medieaval field system can be discerned as the original limestone walls are still standing. The fields then were much smaller than today so the paths meet a considerable number of stiles over the boundary walls.
We followed the path to the charming village of Taddington and then headed towards Monyash at the head of Lathkilldale passing a charming dew pond on the way. In this area farmers are encouraged not to use pesticides and weedkillers with the result that we were welcomed by wild orchids, fields of cowslips and wonderful wild flower meadows.
The one thing that could not be planned of course was the weather that veered from threatening to absolute downpour. This did not dampen our spirits but did spoil the views as the rain clouds melded imperceptibly with the distant hills.
We ended the walk in the Bull's Head pub in Monyash - this is a wonderful old building with cast iron columns supporting the ancient beams in the bar, a selection of real ales (Auld Roger by Shaws of Dukinfield being very welcome) served by extremely pleasant ladies who uncomplainingly mopped up the floor where the bedraggled party had been standing.
A great day out.
We alighted from the bus in Pomeroy and hastily left the main road where traffic screams past at high speed following the old Roman road. We took a path across the fields to the charming village of Chelmorton.
Chelmorton retains its medieaval structure - a stream (Illy Willy Water!!) rises on Chelmorton Low above the village and runs down the hill, the single road clinging to its route with buildings on either side the oldest dating from 1634. At one time the stream fed a series of seven troughs for horses one of which has been lovingly restored. The road peters out at the beautiful church dating back to Norman times and a footpath climbs to the top of Chelmorton Low where the historical legacy of man's occupation becomes evident.
Everywhere can be seen quarries where the local limestone has been excavated to build the typical white buildings, and hillocks of debris left by mining over the centuries often following the line of a seam of lead.
From here we took what might be called the Path of A Thousand Stiles, again testimony to the unspoilt nature of the area. It is one of the few places where the medieaval field system can be discerned as the original limestone walls are still standing. The fields then were much smaller than today so the paths meet a considerable number of stiles over the boundary walls.
We followed the path to the charming village of Taddington and then headed towards Monyash at the head of Lathkilldale passing a charming dew pond on the way. In this area farmers are encouraged not to use pesticides and weedkillers with the result that we were welcomed by wild orchids, fields of cowslips and wonderful wild flower meadows.
The one thing that could not be planned of course was the weather that veered from threatening to absolute downpour. This did not dampen our spirits but did spoil the views as the rain clouds melded imperceptibly with the distant hills.
We ended the walk in the Bull's Head pub in Monyash - this is a wonderful old building with cast iron columns supporting the ancient beams in the bar, a selection of real ales (Auld Roger by Shaws of Dukinfield being very welcome) served by extremely pleasant ladies who uncomplainingly mopped up the floor where the bedraggled party had been standing.
A great day out.
posted by Nick @ 7:50 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home