Walking Group
On a mild sunny November day six of us set off on our 4 ½ mile walk. Parking on the Grindleford Station approach road we walked past the popular station café and over the railway bridge. On our right the gaping opening of the Totley tunnel could be seen, at 3 ½ miles long it is the fourth longest mainline tunnel in the UK.
We started the steady climb up through the wooded Padley Gorge with the Burbage Brook on our right. After half a mile we left the woods, and after crossing the bridge over the brook we crossed the road into the Longshaw Estate.
Walking through the estate we passed a pond and the lodge. Longshaw Lodge was built in 1827 as a shooting box for the Duke of Rutland. The Estate was purchased by the National Trust in 1931 and is now a popular county park. There had been Halloween walks over the weekend so we were on the lookout for witches, goblins and trolls! The Lodge now acts as the Visitors Centre and café; ignoring their refreshments we continued our walk.
Following a wide grassy patch we had wonderful views over towards Carl Wark hill fort and the higher peak of Higger Tor. This was the highest point of our walk; we soon started our descent passing White Edge Lodge. Originally a gamekeepers cottage it is now a National Trust holiday cottage and was used as Moor Cottage in the 2011 film ‘Jane Eyre’.
Continuing our descent over heather moorland, grassy fields and through woods we reached the outskirts of Grindleford. Crossing the main road we returned to our starting point. We all agreed this was an ideal choice with breath-taking views for such a clear day.
Stephen Franks
The next walk, taking place on Sunday 7th December will be led by Steve and Julie Franks through Bramley Wood and Calver, a distance of 4 ¾ miles. Please meet at the church gates with a packed lunch at 12noon. Everyone welcome.