Category: The Peak District

The Peak District

The Peak District, Wild Flowers and TreesLeave a comment

Kissing must still be in fashion!

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There aren’t many wild flowers out in mid-November, but on our walk yesterday along ‘The Great Ridge’ from the village of Hope the views over the hills and valley were brightened up with a profusion of flowers on the gorse bushes that grow on the southern side of the ridge. There is an old country saying that when gorse is in flower, then kissing is in fashion. Gorse of course is one of those bushes that flowers almost continuously all year round! If we believe another country saying, then we would do well to tie a sprig or gorse to … Continue reading Kissing must still be in fashion!

History, The White PeakLeave a comment

A Victorian Post Box

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There are several Victorian post boxes remaining around the Peak District.  We found this one in the tiny hamlet of Hollinsclough set into the side of a barn.  We don’t know exactly how old it is, but roadside wall boxes first appeared in England in 1857 as a cheaper alternative to pillar boxes, especially in rural districts. Hollinsclough is a conservation village in the upper Dove valley, about eight miles south of Buxton.  The entire hamlet comprises just eleven houses, a Methodist chapel, the village hall, and the school. We pass through Hollins Clough occasionally on our open group guided walks in the Peak District. Continue reading A Victorian Post Box

The Dark Peak, Wild Flowers and TreesLeave a comment

Ling Heather on the Moors

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Now is a great time to see the ling heather on the moors in all its glory.  Whole moorlands in the Peak District appear to be carpeted in purple!  The heather has been late flowering this year, probably due to the cooler than usual and wet weather that we have experienced over the summer.  The displays of flowering heather that we have seen over the weekend on our half day guided walks and Derwent Edge Walk, have however been well worth waiting for. Continue reading Ling Heather on the Moors

Geology, The White Peak4 Comments

Ilam Rock – An amazing limestone pinnacle

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The limestone rock that forms parts of Dovedale is the fossilised remains of sea creatures that lived in a shallow, tropical lagoon about 350 million years ago. During the two ice ages, the limestone was cut into craggy shapes.  Dovedale is famous for its numerous limestone rock formations.  Ilam rock pictured here is one of the most spectacular, standing at about 25 metres high.  Others include Dovedale Castles, Tissington Spires, Reynard’s Cave, and Lion’s Head Rock. Ilam Rock can be seen on our ‘Dovedale Delights’ guided walk which is available throughout the year with a Personal Walking Guide Continue reading Ilam Rock – An amazing limestone pinnacle

Conservation and Environmental Issues, Geology, History, The Dark Peak, The Peak District1 Comment

An industrial site in a place of beauty!

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A cement factory might be an unexpected thing to write about in a countryside blog, but if you have ever been walking in the Hope Valley area of the Peak District, you will have seen the Lafarge cement works which forms a dominant feature in the landscape. The factory is visible from the whole of ‘The Great Ridge’ – one of the most popular walks in the Dark Peak. The initial reaction that most people have when seeing it for the first time is ‘what an eyesore in a beautiful valley’. Admittedly it is a bit ugly, but there is a lot … Continue reading An industrial site in a place of beauty!

Geology, Rivers, The White PeakLeave a comment

The wonders of Lathkill Dale after heavy rain

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Lathkill Dale is a very beautiful and fascinating place for many reasons.  Its geological history is outstanding.  It is home to an abundance of wild flowers.  What interested us the most however on our guided Nature Walk yesterday was the River Lathkill itself. The River Lathkill rises in different places throughout the year depening upon where the water table lies.  After prolonged periods of heavy rain, usually in the winter it flows gently out of a cave called Lathkill Head Cave which is towards the western end of the dale.  In recent years however the point where it has risen has tended to be much further to the … Continue reading The wonders of Lathkill Dale after heavy rain

The Dark PeakLeave a comment

Easter Snow in the Peak District

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On our Stanage & Bamford Edges guided walk today we enjoyed some stunning views of Stanage Edge, Bamford Edge, and the surrounding hills and moorlands in the snow.  I don’t think any of us expected to be walking in snow over Easter but we had a really enjoyable day. Our Stanage & Bamford Edges walk is great without snow too!  Why not give it a try?  http://www.peakwalking.com/day-walks/open-group-walks/stanage-and-bamford-edges/ Continue reading Easter Snow in the Peak District