Just popping down to the spa for a walk
WALKERS from Runcorn and Widnes travelled to the village of Matlock Bath in Derbyshire to trek several routes around the countryside.
The Halton Ramblers visited the area set in the beautiful gorge of the River Derwent, with attractive riverside gardens, wooded hillside and rocky limestone crags.
It was developed as one of the country’s first tourist destinations and retains much of the character and interests that impressed early visitors.
Spa waters were discovered there in the late 17th century and the village’s heyday was in Victorian times when it became affectionately known as Little Switzerland by the poet Lord Byron.
The area offers walks, a museum, tea shops and the river supports a canoe club which hosts competitive National Level Wild Water racing and slalom events.
The group had three walks planned for the day.
The 11-mile linear B walk, led by Ray Brown, started at Rowsley and the group moved at an easy pace to Stanton Moor, visiting the Nine Ladies stone circle which dates back to the Bronze Age.
From here, the party continued to Earl Grey Tower which commemorates the passing of the 1832 Reform Act, which gave every man the right to vote.
The group then visited the Cork Stone, one of several impressive natural outcrops on Stanton Moor which looks like a huge mushroom or cork.
Walking through woodland to reach the Druids Inn at Birchover, the group joined the Limestone Way to walk to Bonsall.
The village has a long history of lead mining but more recently from October 2000 there were 19 UFO sightings in the area.
The group made their way to Abraham Heights which overlooks Matlock Bath, descending to the village via a minor road.
The C party, led by Phil Gregory, embarked on a nine-mile walk from Matlock Bath and quickly started climbing to reach the hamlet of Upperwood.
They followed country lanes and paths to Cromford, before heading to the Midshires Way and reaching Crich.
From here the group’s return journey led them past Richard Arwright’s original mill. Arkwrightdeveloped the first water powered cotton spinning mill in 1771.
It is the centrepiece of the Derwent Valley Mills which is now a World Heritage site.
The group then followed paths back into Matlock Bath.
The D walk, led by Richard Cage, spanned five miles and joined a riverside walk which climbed briefly towards Abraham Heights.
After joining woodland paths, the group enjoyed the high level views above Matlock and Matlock Bath before descending to Matlock Bridge and Hall Leys Park.
After a break, they headed south for their second climb of the day, ascending through Old Matlock to High Tor, a lofty limestone crag which towers over Matlock Bath.
They then walked down into the village.
A Ramblers spokeswoman said: “The group enjoyed a clear warm sunny day, perfect for walking.”
The group’s next trip is to Bethesda in Gwynedd on Sunday, October 2.
To book, call 07842 160 944 or visit nmcramblers. org.uk