Monsal Dale RFM Blue Line Walking with Peter

 

Monsal Dale

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Peter

10/07/25

Monsal Dale is just west of Ashford in the Water which is just west of Bakewell in the White Peak. The day started warm and was forecast to be day one of the third heat wave of the year. We met at about 7:40 in Ashford and set off within 5 minutes. We would be done by lunch time so the heat shouldn't be a problem for us.

We passed the Bottom Pump Shelter, a structure built in the late C19th to cover an important water source for the village, and crossed over the River Wye on the old Sheepwash Bridge. A very pretty start to the day.

We crossed the quiet A6 and set off up a path that looked right, it wasn't, so back down to the road to find the right path. After following a lane for a little while we missed the turning so retraced our steps to get on the right hill. Finally we set off on this path up the hillside obviously the correct route only it wasn't. We side tracked and got back on the planned route. As all the paths ended in the same place it made no difference. Peter said he was going to sack the navigator and I had to agree. We don't usually start in such a confusion but to be fair each error was only minor and not costly.

After seeing an article about the rarity of the Small Blue butterfly I reasoned that perhaps this was a rare small orange brown with black spots butterfly after all it was on its own.

                                           

This grassy hill though steep was a glorious place to be. It was only spoilt by Peter gleefully pointing out one after another of the rare small orange brown with black spots butterfly. To be fair there were a lot of different butterflies to be seen which is great but, shamefully, I didn't actually recognise any of them.

The route followed the wall boundary of Little Shaklow Wood through a tree shaded vale. Even this early in the day it was good to get out of the sun.

The hill levelled off and we could see the village of Sheldon.

These little White Peak villages are a joy to behold with their traditional village greens and old houses, Sheldon was no exception.

Just look at that view from the top of the village...... rural bliss.

The cow and calves were on our path but moved away as we approached. Not sure what was wrong with the family on the right I think we must have upset them.

This little bull wasn't moving and his mum was happy that we were no threat. 

In the next field the cows were not on our path and totally ignored us.

The cow fields were all around us and my favourite Belted Galloways were away in the distance.

This hayfield was leading to the deep valley we could see ahead aptly named Deep Dale.

There were cows everywhere. This group at the top of the dale stood their ground as we walked right next to them. Harmless and super cute. We always talk to them but they rarely answer.

This was some steep hill but luckily our route went to the bottom and turned right into Deep Dale.

What a beautiful lonely dale. Another dew pond.

Even though it was still relatively early, not even 9 o'clock, the sheep were happy to ruminate in the shade.

The nature reserve in Deep Dale had a bench dedicated to a person who loved the dale and its wild flowers. We sat and had our first coffee break. Down the dale we could see Taddington wood hugging the far hillside.

The way was rocky in places and the hillsides steep. We could see the geology poking through the grass and Mr Ellerby got a passing mention. The stone trough was precariously balanced but working as it was full.

We were aware that this area would normally be wet and muddy, the shade was welcome, but the ground surface was rocky and demanding of carefully passage.

We crossed the A6 at Lees Bottom and entered Monsal Dale proper. The sign on the right was a little hopeful as there was so little water flow. A couple of ramblers stopped for a chat. These were the first we had seen today. They warned us that the cattle were on the path and advised care. 

The path was relatively easy to follow down Monsal Dale and it was mainly through trees and bushes with the River Wye off to our right.

There were some more open bits where we could see the river and the wooded hillsides.

We hadn't seen the cows and were thinking they must be in the pastures but then we heard mooing in the bushes between us and the river and then we could see the cows just off the path. The only surprise was how big these cows were. Passing them on the narrow paths would have been a problem but luckily they were in the bushes.

We met a lady with a dog chasing his ball in the river and passed the time of day.

The big weir on the river was noisy and we assumed it had an historic function as we could not see why it would be there.

Our route was over the bridge and up the right side of Monsal Dale.

The track was tricky and narrow with lots of trip hazards and the slope, to our left, really steep but with lots of vegetation. We persevered and finally arrived at Monsal Head.  

The views from the view point at Monsal head are exquisite and well worth taking the time to savour so we stopped for 20 minutes and had our main break for the day. We could see the route we had taken last week along the wall at the top of the hill.(in the photo bottom left)

This Jackdaw was used to being fed and I obliged with a large raisin. He nearly took it from my hand but the last few inches was just too much for him. I love Jackdaws they are just so clever. Those bright blue eyes look into your eyes like no other bird.

The path towards Ashford retraced our steps back down the dale but at the top of the hill.

We left the dale and crossed a hillside towards Ashford. The going was easy and the views very rural but not dramatic. We passed loads of ramblers and dog walkers all of whom either chatted or exchanged friendly greetings. Quite a few were foreign enjoying the weather and the beautiful countryside.

Another dew pond this one full and with open access for the sheep. It looked like it had been recently repaired. More ramblers, English and foreign, we seemed to be on a major rambling route probably as the viewpoint at Monsal Head was an obvious destination. 

 

Then we went down the quaintly named Penyunk Lane through Ploverfield. The young bulls in this field were finding the shade and watching us intently. By now it was getting quite warm if not decidedly hot.

We followed a series of paths and ginnels through Ashford to the church. At one point it looked like we were in someones garden and we were reluctant to proceed but it was a path so we did.

The C12th Holy Trinity church was cool and welcoming. It was small and interesting but not unusual. The buildings had been extensively remodelled and renovated in Victoria times. It was a good ending to this walk.

8.74     miles

1320    feet ascent

3.58     hours mins walking time

2.21     mph

This was a fine walk with many interesting aspects. In some ways the scenery and the cows were the stars. Not too difficult but still a respectable distance and ascent.