Gorgeous flowers a scent of summer
A WELL-SEASONED group of East Cheshire Ramblers began a 11.5-mile walk from Miller’s Dale station in the Peak District which took us through woods and fields full of colourful wild flowers to the banks of the Wye, one of Derbyshire’s loveliest rivers.
Led by John Kummer, we crossed the B6049 and ascended a staircase of steps through a woodland carpeted with cowslips, sorrel and red campion to emerge from the trees and walk along well used tracks towards Lydgate Farm and then across Broadway Lane into fields where our nostrils were flooded with the aroma of hawthorn blossoms on either side.
After pausing for coffee overlooking a lush green dale and farmland, we continued through Middle Farm and its holiday cottages and then Lower Farm, before making a right turn through a plantation flanked by woodlands on either side. Once again there was an abundance of wildflowers – we even saw water avens and purple orchids.
Descending into Lees Bottom, we crossed the A6 to walk alongside the beautiful River Wye past Great and Little Shacklow and a profusion of wild garlic before entering the village of Ashford, where we ate lunch.
Suitably refreshed, we trekked up Longstone Lane to Thornbridge Hall, where the 12 acres of surrounding land are said to reflect 1,000 shades of green.
After turning left onto the Monsal Trail we then veered off near Cressbrook tunnel onto a stunning path overlooking Water-cum-jolly-dale and continued on this, overlooking Litton Mill before rejoining the Monsal Trail and ambling contentedly back to the car park at Miller’s Dale.
For further information go to ramblerseast cheshire.org.uk.