Stanage Edge

Today's 14 mile walk - led by John E. - gave us a good dose of moorland scenery together wirth a view of the verdant valleys, with their Brontë and Jane Austen connections, that characterise the countryside in the immediate northern reaches of Hathersage. In case you are wondering about our wandering - we crossed Stanage Edge, with its distant view of Sheffield. We spent a while crossing boggy countryside after enjoying the pleasures of the Fox House Inn; unfortunately, we could not easily fit everything in, and Stanage Edge - famous as it is - had to bow to time pressure!

• Hathersage in the Morn
• Our Walk starts with some more of Historical Hathersage
• Onto the Moors
• And so to Stanage Edge
• The Green Valleys of Hathersage and Home
  
  
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Hathersage in the Morn

Mornings often have a special appeal. Today was no exception. A lot of the early mist would burn off during the morning, heralding hazy sunshine. Reasonable visibility, without too much heat. Amenable for walking.

The main road through Hathersage is still quiet. There is hardly any traffic, only (perhaps), a few early commuters to Sheffield.




This is the entrance gate to the 14th century Brookfield Manor, a mile to the north of Hathersage. Brookfield Manor has Brontë connections and now hosts wedding receptions. Between Brookfield Manor and North Lees (which we shall see today) lies Brontë Cottage. Brontë connections are not just the province of Haworth in Yorkshire!

Our Walk starts with some more of Historical Hathersage

We soak up the history and literary connections exuded by Hathersage's mediaeval church, and then pass one of Hathersage's famous mills, before heading out on to the moors.

We set off towards Hathersage church, sitting, as churches so often do, upon a little "tuffet" in the countryside.




The church of Saint Michael and All Angels has a Gothic nave dating from the 14th century and proudly graces the Hope Valley. The church has Brontë (Jane Eyre) connections.




The Gothic nave was got at by the Victorians.




Talking of whom, guess who sat on these chairs.
Some visitors of note - Queen Victoria and her Consort.




This is the Eyre Tomb (c.f. Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre). The inscription refers to a Robert Eyre, knight, (died 1459) and his wife Joan (died 1463) and their children, "on whose souls may God have mercy" (so the inscription goes).




This is the Dale mill on the eastern outskirts of Hathersage. As mentioned, before the activity moved to Sheffield, Hathersage was a centre for wire and cutlery making. Another mill - now residences - close to, and just to the south of, our hostel also fits into this scheme.

Onto the Moors

Higger Tor and Upper Burbage Bridge are on our schedule, before we cross Burbage Moor itself and stop for lunch at the Fox House Inn. The going is a little muddy, but doable. Hazy sunshine accompanies our exploits.

We stop for a while above Dale Mill ...




... and then wend our way to Higger Tor ...




... past an old field access bridge.




Here is Higger Tor ...




... and are some Cloggies definitely enjoying things.




It's about turn as we head towards Upper Burbage Bridge.




We are right next to Upper Burbage Bridge ...




... which is right here. Helen and I seem to be enjoying a joke, but I can't remember what it was. Anyway, the nice weather, walk and company are all aspects definitely worth a smile.




We tarry awhile to enjoy the landscape looming out of the sunny mist.




Then it's onwards through rock and heather, ...




... rock and heather, ...




... and yet more rock and heather.




The pub should be close, but where is our walk leader? He seems to have charged on ahead to the hostelry! Luckily we also have some maps to guide us to the watering hole.




The rest of us eventually reach the pub. Our walk leader is already enjoying his pint!
Well, what do you know?

And so to Stanage Edge

Once more we head out on to the open moors. It's getting quite warm. Distant views of Sheffield accompany us on our right. Boggy heather-covered terrain north of the Redmires Reservoirs checks our pace somewhat, but we survive!

Suitably refreshed, it's once more onto the moors ...




... enjoying distant views of Sheffield ...




... until we are bogged down in the heathery bog to the south of the Redmires Reservoirs.




Having extricated ourselves from the said bog, we reach Stanage Pole ...




... and then stop a while to enjoy the landscape from Stanage Edge. It's unfortunately too late to explore the famous Stanage Edge any further. It's time to go home.

The Green Valleys of Hathersage and Home

After Stanage Edge we enter the verdant landscape that graces Hathersage's northern reaches. History looms at every corner. Charlotte Brontë got her inspiration here for "Jane Eyre". Just south of Hathersage Church is "The Scotsmans Pack Inn", tonight's culinary venue.

We enter the verdant valleys to the north of Hathersage. Below Stanage Edge we watch the rock climbers doing their rock climbing.




The scenery gets greener ...




... and even a tad autumnal ...




... as we head for North Lees.




North Lees is a fine Elizabethan structure. We see it bathed in the evening light.




Hathersage church hoves into view. On the other side is "The Scotsmans Pack Inn", venue for tonight's CLOG dinner at 20:00. Just enough time to get back to the hostel for a shower and "freshen-up" before the culinary proceedings. It's been an interesting day!