A mellow stroll through classic White Peak terrain starting from the Cathedral of the Peak.
Walking Route - Tideswell, White Peak
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Tideswell >
Cressbrook > Miller's Dale > Hartsop
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Average Time: 4 hours 20
minutes
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Distance: 9.1 miles
(14.7km)
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Height Gain: 1314 ft
(401m)
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A mixture of minor roads and tracks with typical
limestone dales gives a circuit from the village of
Tideswell in the heart of the White Peak.
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Maps: Landranger 119, Explorer
OL24
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 1
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 3
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Start Point: SK
153 758
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A mixture of minor roads and tracks among typical limestone dales
gives a lovely circuit from the village of Tideswell in the heart of
the White Peak. Along the way you pass through images of England in
times long gone, nature reserves and classic climbers' cliffs , all
starting and ending at the stunning Cathedral of The Peak.
Section 1: Tideswell to Cressbrook
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Distance: 3 miles (4.9km)
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Height Gain: 239 ft (73m)
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Average Time: 1 hours 20 mins
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Start from The George in Tideswell next door to the
unmistakable church, cross the road and follow what starts as a minor
road but quickly narrows to join Church Lane, a minor road leading
towards Litton.
Litton
is one of those villages that's hardly changed in 200 years, with
vllage green, stocks and an an ancient cross. In late summer, as with
many Peak District villages they "dress" the well with a picture made
of flowers and grasses to gve thanks for the water and a good
harvest.
A couple of hundred yards down the road, past the green and a
house with the date "1639" take the stile on the right into open
fields. The path now crosses a rough track to drop into Tansley Dale.
Tansley Dale is short and narrow at first, opening out as it
approaches Cressbrookdale. Cressbrookdale is a National Nature
Reserve, with an amazing collection of rare lead tolerant flowers in
the natural woodland that surround the towering limestone crags.
Follow Cressbrookdale to a footbridge over the stream at
Ravensdale Cottages., then turn left and follow a short stretch of
minor road to Cressbrook
Mill.
Section 2: Cressbrook to Millers Dale
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Distance: 2.4 miles (3.9km)
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Height Gain: 291 ft (89m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 10 mins
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At Cressbrook Mill go through the yard to the mill dam and on to the
River Wye at Water-cum-Jolly Dale.
The next mile is along a concessionary path alongside the river
between Cressbrook Mill and Litton Mill, on what is part of the
Monsal Trail from Wye Dale to Bakewell.
At Litton Mill pass through the old mill gates into Millers Dale
and onto a small but occassionally used road. A signpost by the last
of the mill buildings directs you up to the disused railway line that
forms the main Monsal Trail route.
Follow the wide and well used path for two miles to Millers
Dale, with its water wheel and the Anglers' Rest pub.
Section 3: Millers Dale to Tideswell
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Distance: 3.7 miles (5.9km)
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Height Gain: 784 ft (239m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 50 mins
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From the
Anglers Rest continue a couple of hundred yards along
the road to a right turn signposted Wormhill, and climb steeply to a
car park on the left.
Just beyond the car park, where the road turns sharp left take the
path to the right back into open fields. The path now turns left and
enters the start of Monks Dale.
Follow Monks
Dale gently uphill until you meet another minor road, where
you turn right. You soon arrive at a crossroads, with the right turn
being a green lane rather than a road.
Follow this green lane, part of the Limestone Way, a few yards
then turn left again on a signposted path towards Tideswell. On
reaching another green lane, Slancote Lane, turn left and follow the
track into Tideswell village.
On reaching the village turn right, then immediately left to
follow the road to the old square, then turn right to descent to the
main road through the village. A left turn here brings you past the
impressive chuch known as the Cathedral of the Peak, and back to your
star point.
Note: Average time ratings are calculated for a notional
average walker and take height gain into account. You may be faster
or slower than the notional average, but they provide a starting
point.
