Ladybower, Hathersage Bamford Edge Walking with Lacey

 Ladybower, Hathersage Bamford Edge Walking with Lacey

26/06/24

Arriving at the layby next To Ladybower at about 8.45 there was just 1 car already parked so no problem finding a place. 

This was the view from the car where we parked. We walked along the lakeside to the Ladybower dam passing the plughole next to the dam.

At the dam we went down the very pleasant partially wooded path towards Yorkshire Bridge.

The heavenly perfume of banks of wild roses was a joy.  I think I saw tree sparrows amonst the normal panoply of woodland bird species.

We crossed the bridge which was quite high. As usual we lingered a while on the bridge watching the water and just enjoying the moment. 

Lacey's photo of the water from the bridge captures the moment.

I explained to Lacey that to our immediate right above the trees was Win Hill a great Derbyshire peak and one we would see many times on this walk.

At this point we joined the Derwent Valley Heritage Way which runs along the disused railway which was built to get materials to and from the several dams in the Derwent Valley. This is a very straight section, very flat and dotted with many interesting sculptures and information boards. Along this route we met an elderly man with a wonderful dog called Frankie who after an initial reluctance decided Lacey and I were actually resonably friendly. We discussed our proposed route and the man wished us a good journey. 

The path stretched for about a mile and a half more or less dead straight and level. Occasionally we could see Bamford Edge over in the distance on the other side of the valley. There was quite a bit of sun glare and the weather was warm to hot even this early in the day. I explained to Lacey that we would eventually be on top of that hill on the way back but we had a long way to go. I apologised in advance for the walk having its main climb near the end but when she saw the views she would realise why this was the best way to do this walk.

We reached the Derwent Valley Water Board building now a quaker house and the trail turned eastwards across the valley towards Bamford Station.

 We had a nice view of Bamford Edge and then crossed the bridge passed a camp site and on to the busy road at Bamford Station. The pavement is dominated by some very big trees and the only way around is in single file around the back of the trees. We met a few groups of teenagers doing the Duke of Edinburgh. As ever they were polite and willing to exchange greetings.

We climbed up Saltergate Lane to the entrance of this walk on to the golf course. The single track road was snarled with a variety of vehicles but they respected our vulnerability and we passed without incident.

We traversed the golf course and at one part followed a friendly pair down a fairway stopping when they took their shots to avoid conflict. It must have been ladies day because the vast majority of golfers were ladies and they were good shots.

We had a coffee at a bench next to one of the tees and Win Hill could be seen in the distance though we were still quite a way from Hathersage.

After the golf course we crossed many fields and went up and down many hills and valleys before we reached Hathersage. It was great to see quite a few meadows with myriads of wild flowers. This was quite a long stretch of countryside to cover and we were looking forward to reaching Hathersage and starting on the upward trail to Bamford Edge. It was good to pass so many friendly walkers even the farmers were happy to exchange greetings. For an area where walkers abound this was really exceptional. We met another dog called Kiki who looked a bit like a Scottie but I was informed was a Welsh Terrier. Whatever, she was lovely. The lady was very impresssed with how far we had walked and was even more impressed with our route back.

We dropped down the hill into Hathersage where even a cyclist stopped to allow Lacey to take this photo from across the road of a sparrow on a garden hedge. We exchange greetings and a little banter. What a friendly part of the world this is. Maybe the lovely warm sunny weather was the explanation.

We passed a canon on a post box and reached the main road in Hathersage. We met a couple of ladies with a little wire haired terrier called Mable who thought Lacey was wonderful. Friendly dogs are a good way of having 2 minutes with strangers which you may have guessed is a feature of my walks. As I said to Lacey anyone who thinks they will pass us in silence has no chance.

At the centre of Hathersage at the flag staff we had a break, drinks only as there was a big hill to climb. Luckily there was a public toilet so we used it. Everyone seemed to be looking for somewhere to stop to eat or drink we were just getting out of town.

The church at Bank Top was really beautiful and the graveyard was full of really old gravestones even the one for Little John of Robin Hood fame. Funny I thought it was just a myth but there we have it the actual grave of Little John which was quite small. We had to head down the large open field towards the small herd of cows in the distance. This was a well marked path so we were progressing happily along. The cows were on our path so I asked Lacey if she wanted to go around them or pass through them. As they were quiet we agreed to go through them and they were docile. Imagine our suprise when we saw to our right next to the fence a large bull. Instantly I told Lacey to keep walking not to run and not to look directly at the bull. We could see the stile at the bottom of the field but we still had a way to go. The bull began to move from the field edge towards the cows.

When I thought we were far enough away I turned and quickly snapped this photo of the animal which though he looked incredibly powerfull and dangerous he was quiet and ignored us. He was however in the exact spot where we had just walked. Lacey's close up of  the bull shows his physique and also her own calmness in a potentially dangerous situation.

We hurried over the stile and had a moment to collect our thoughts. Obviously we would not have entered the field if we had seen the bull but we acted properly and avoided an issue but I still felt heartedly relieved. I think farmer's have a responsibility to keep walkers safe and this was a glaring example of a farmer ignoring this. We do everything we can to pass through the countryside leaving nothing but our footprints and helping to keep farmers land and animals safe and then you come across this, its not good enough. So much for friendly Hathersage, I take it back. Friendly visitors to Hathersage might be the truth.

We followed the route past Birley Farm and along Ridgeway Side. The beautiful shot of  meadow flowers on the Ridgeway is courtesy of Lacey who tends to be a little more artistic and emotional in her photography than I am. I have to say I was very happy to see so many meadows full of flowers. 

Coming of the Ridgeway we encountered the beautiful hamlet of Gatehouse. This was a great little place and we were back to friendly locals who exchanged greetings mainly concerning the weather which was starting to get quite hot. The route was very well marked and we crossed a couple of horse fields some of which we saw had horses in them after we passed through them. I think the horses had been in the shade of the large tree lined hedges.

After the farmland we walked along the top of the wooded slope below Bole Hill and eventually reached the road. 

After a few bends along the road we started to climb up towards Bamford Edge through the bracken. We could see the familar peak of  Win Hill looking a lot closer now. We passed a small group of Wheatears and one posed long enough for me to get some shots.

We had lunch once we reached the top of the hill. The views from this point mainly consisted of  Bamford and the Derwent Valley. Not a bad place to eat. The weather was becoming hotter but luckily both of us had brought enough water to be able to drink freely.

 We met many people on the Edge.There was a lot of Japanese people young and old who did not seem to be in the same group but who knows. They were all friendly and happy to talk about the views. One lady also had a friendly rather large yorkshire terrier. There was a pair of girls who it turns out were new to Sheffield having moved from Essex. We had a good conversation and I was keen to encourage them to explore more as this part of the world had a lot to offer.

And then we had the views...

A small plane flew past us and on up the valley. Lacey managed to get a good close up of the plane despite the afternoon glare.

Reluctantly we left the best view in Derbyshire and followed the Edge along to the car park next to Ladybower.

It was a steep descent, rocky but easily passable. The last bit through the cool woods was a relief from the heat of the afternoon. 

Finally back to the car after a long and difficult walk with some brilliant views at the end and a couple of unforgettable experiences on the way. Lacey was enthusiastic about the views and agreed it was the right way round for this walk though it did make it harder. We were both tired.