Stanton in Peak RFM Blue Line

Stanton in Peak

RFM Blue Line

22/05/26

On a hot May day I set off early to avoid walking in the hottest part of the day. To be fair it was hot but not too hot. This is an important walk as it is the last piece of the jigsaw needed to complete the Monsall Trail. The Monsall trail is great because it encourages so many people to get out there and walk, run, ride whatever but for me it is flat, boring and there are too many people on it. I much prefer the Derbyshire Dales to the trail.

Parking near the river in Bakewell I soon found a bridge next to a weir.

A Dipper was hunting in the Wye and very close to it was a Yellow Wagtail. 2 great species to see and within 5 minutes of parking. A lady on the bridge showed me where the Dipper was nesting and said there was a Peregrine in the town as well. Lucky Bakewell.

Crossing the park there were a few friendly dog walkers. The ginnel after the park was a bit overgrown.

The path ended at the river, what a pleasant sight. In my imagination this must be where Toad of Toad Hall lives.There are so many big stately homes around here surely a little one would be overlooked. 

The path steepened quickly and I was soon above Haddon House, not Haddon Hall.

The path was green and luscious and this Cinabar Moth was strikingly colourful.

A short walk through the wet Burton Ashes Wood brought me to some open cow fields.

The cows even with calves were chilled, lying around sunning themselves. Just look at the buttercups, what a sight.

Crossing Haddon Fields was like crossing the beating heart of rural England. I could not have been more content. There are moments in most walks when you kind of forget yourself, when you almost become part of the landscape. I think this is where you really de-stress, when time slows to a trickle and your world narrows to the here and now. I know I am not right yet, I miss Babs and the hole left is real and painful but these moments, and family time, heal.

In this photo if you look carefully you can see the ridges and furrows of the Medieval Field Pattern highlighted by ridges of buttercups. History and beauty in one bite.

Haddon Plantation was full of bird song but they were all the normal characters, no specials. Blackbird, Chiff Chaff, Dunnock, Blue Tits, Wrens and Robins.

It was a long way down to Shiningbank Quarry. I'm not sure why these industrial scars look so interesting but they do. I just love the turquoise colour of the water. There were quite a few birds of prey knocking around, Buzzards and Kestrels.

It was quite a steep mercifully cool lane down to the quiet B5056 road. 

Then it was over the very clear  River Lathkill and up the steps to the left of the road through Tolls Wood. Just for a moment I thought it said Trolls Wood because I could believe they lived there. It was a very steep ascent and I stopped to catch my breath at least once.

The hill above the wood was still very steep as it followed a very old fence line now just a series of bushes through sheep fields up to Stanton.

This is one of those villages dominated by the gentry as everything is there for the family at Stanton Hall. Because it has not been redeveloped its kind of a fossilised village but in a 21st century setting. It would be a good period film set. The Thornhill family have owned Stanton Hall and estate since 1696. There is no public access to the hall or grounds. Says it all.

The views up the Wye Valley back towards Bakewell are beautiful. I caught a glancing view of Stanton Hall through the ornamental gardens.

The war memorial was a tempting place to pause but in full sun it would have been unpleasant
I decided to risk waiting for a bench at the church. 

I wasn't disappointed what a cracking church and with a bench in the shade.

The views from the bench where I had my breakfast, some dried fruit and nuts and a lot of water, were great. Being this high up gives long views and in this weather they are just beautiful but I should imagine on a dark wet winter's day it could be quite hostile up here.

The cemetery was off Pillough Lane, I wonder how they pronounce that? Pilluff or Pillock? I talked to an old lady walking her ancient Airedale Terrier. She was very interesting and told me all about the local birdlife and the moors with the Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Haddon Hall and the parking issues they had and the climate change. You get the idea but I was happy to spend some time with her and she was really lovely and knowledgeable.

In the valley below the Elizabethan House, Haddon Hall looked serene. I have seen it in so many tv series and nature programs it looked very familiar.

I didn't need a rest but if I had, this unusual resting place would have been ideal.

This little hill with the trees on it has the grand name of Peak Tor. The name conjures up in my mind a totally different hill such as Mam Tor.

In Rowsley I crossed the Wye and the Derwent as this is where they meet, and was out of the village in no time. 

This is the last hill of the day and it is a good one. Very steep but tarmac followed by hardcore. I thought these 3 horses looked so beautiful happily munching sweet green grass.

Up and up the path went. It was actually quite a nice surface to walk on. There were a few cyclists around but they were friendly and no problem.

I could see Stanton in the distance. It looked a long way away in miles if not in time.

This is quite a popular path and I chatted with a few ramblers.

The Pheasant was strutting round his field.

Coombs Farm is the last place before the Monsall Trail.

The railway bridge told me the Monsall Trail was on hand.

It was an understated start to the trail.

Busy busy Monsall Trail but on the plus side lots of dogs to stroke.

Bakewell was upon me but there was still a little way to go. The mottled shade was welcome as the heat of the day was rising rapidly.

Under the bridge and then the station and I left the Monsall Trail.

Past the fountain at the bottom of Castle Hill I reached my car and set off for home about 1 hour away.

91/2 miles and 1167 feet is again a good walk. I was a bit surprised at the ascent figure but there were quite a few hills on this walk so it is probably right. I was quite quick but there was a lot of good surfaces to walk on. It wasn't like trying to cross open moors or rocky paths. I really enjoyed this walk, then again I enjoy every walk.

My completion of the Monsall Trail in 5 circular routes.

os map

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32113805/stanton-in-peak-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.20193&lon=-1.64749&zoom=13.8753&style=TopoAuto&type=2d