Ramblers’ stately progress at Peak
THE Halton Ramblers travelled to the White Peak area of the Peak District National Park and to the charming market town of Bakewell.
One of the oldest market towns in the area, dating from at least 1300, it is still popular for its market today although Bakewell is probably most famous for its puddings or tarts.
The Rutland Arms overlooks the town square and is where the Bakewell pudding was invented in 1859.
The hostelry’s other claim to fame was that in 1804 Jane Austen visited the Rutland Arms, and in her novel Pride And Prejudice she has Elizabeth Bennett stopping here to to meet the Darcys and Mr Bingley.
The town is a good base to explore the surrounding area with its many attractions, notably Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, the Monsal Trail and the many different routes which can be walked from the town.
All the walking groups started their walks from the town.
John Nickson led a 16-mile walk and headed out to Baslow for their climb to Baslow Edge, passing by Eagle Stone and Wellington’s Monument.
After crossing the A621 the group climbed to Gardom’s Edge and onto Dobb Edge.
Walking along an escarpment for several miles they descended into the valley following paths through Beesley and Calton Lees before reaching Bakewell.
The B walk of 13.5 miles was led by Phil Gregory, who had planned a route which went through the Chatsworth House estate.
Chatsworth House is home to the Duke and Duchess Of Devonshire, with beautiful vistas of the area, overlooking the River Derwent.
The group climbed behind the house before dropping to take the riverside path to Rowsley.
The next climb was to Stanton Moor where they passed the Nine Ladies Stone Circle.
Legend has it that nine ladies were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath, and that the King Stone was the fiddler.
From here the group passed through Stanton Peak and Alport for their return to Bakewell.
Alan Roberts led his moderate C walk out of Bakewell to cross the golf course.
The golf course has a bell that walkers ring when crossing so the golfers know people are there.
Then there was a climb through Manner woods to the grandstand view of Chatsworth House and deer park.
The walkers then descended to Edensor.
The village had been relocated from the banks of the River Derwent in 1840 by the sixth Duke Of Devonshire because it spoilt the view from Chatsworth across the valley.
The group continued along the riverside path to Rowsley, then tracks and pastures back into Bakewell.
Richard Cage guided his group out of Bakewell and joined the picturesque riverside path along the River Wye to Haddon Hall. The hall is probably the finest example of a fortified medieval manor house in existence, the origins dating back to the 11th century.
The group had a short climb then to Over Haddon, and after a short break they headed back to Bakewell through fields and tracks.
It was a drizzly start to the day and a drizzly finish, but in-between the weather was great – so once again the ramblers were lucky to be able to enjoy the area’s delights.
Don’t sit at home, come and join us on our rambles by contacting the booking secretary on 07842 160 944 or look us up at www.nmc-ramblers.org.uk