September 2019outandaboutlive.co.uk 43ThePeak District TRAVEL
We use the book I bought to do another
excellent walk alon g the Millstone Edge
fromLongshaw Lodge carpark.
This leads past the visitor centre
and a plaque that commemorates the
passing of Longshaw Esta te into the ca re
of the NationalTrust in 1931 andthe
esta blishment of the Peak District National
Park, E ngland’s first, in 1951.
The route runs down pretty Padley
Gorge, thro ugh lovely oak wood where the
spooky-looking trees havebulbous burrs
and twisted, convolutedbranches. Then we
clim b past millstone grit quarry workings
to Surprise View to enjoy the prospect west
over Hathersage to the Hope Valley.
Our path leads alon g the cliffs of
Millstone Edge, then across the heather
moorland to two weathered tors, Over
Owler andMother Cap. Aheathery gully
takes us back toPadley Gorge. This time
we go upstreambeside babbling Burbage
Brook, which is now lined by picnicking
families. We return thro ugh esta te
woodland to the visitor centre café after a
very varied and enjoyable walk.
Finding the weather sweltering, we make
an early start the next day before the heat
builds up.We drive up the attractive Upper
Derwent Valley, with it s chai n of reservoirs.
The minor road is empty butwil l probably
be full of visitors within a few hours.
We breakfast in acar park overlooking
Ladybower Reservoir as a dawn mist
clearsrevealing adeepblue sky and
dazzli ng reflection s.
It’s still ea rly when we move on to
Castleton, at the top end of the Hope Valley,
and draw up in an almost empty carpark.
After peeri ng into Peak Cavern , below a
great cleft inthe hillside, we wander up
Cave Dale, a dramatic limestone va lley with
crags on its steep sides. High above, we can
see the keep of Peveril Ca stle.
Late r I visit the castle, while Andrew
takes Braan paddling in ashallowstream
to keep cool. Interesting displays detail its
history, which begins soon after the Norman
conquest in 1066.
From the eleventh to the sixteenth
centuries it was the a dministrative centre
of the royal hunting esta te of Peak Forest
and controlled the lo cal lead and silv er
mines. It was also the pl ace where taxes
were collected;artefacts discov ered on
site include c oins andkeys to chests. After
reading i nfor mation in the dim entrance
building, I cli mb the steep zigzag path up to
the keep in bli ndingly bright sun, gaining a
brillia nt view over the va lley.+Book tickets online
to Chatsworth at a least a day
before your visitto get free
car parking (otherwise it is
at least £4). Dogs are allowed
in the park and gardens
on a lead
chatsworth.org
The best place to park in
Eyam is in one of the car
parks onHawkhillRoad,
opposite the museum
(postcodeS32 5QP). The
lower car park hascoach
parking and public toilets.
The uppercar park isfree
The council car parkin
Castleton has a notice asking
motorhomes that are too
largefor a standard car
parking bay to park in the
coach parking and pay the
highercoach and motorhome
rate (£5 up tofour hours and
or £10.20for longer)TOP TIPS