Autumn Equinox in the Peak District
/We took advantage of a few days off in mid September to have another short break in the Peak District, with a view to climbing the last three of the nine Edges, and also a couple of the Ethels (all the peaks over 400m of which we’ve now climbed 10 out of 95!) Before checking in to our hotel, we wandered up onto beautiful Stanton Moor on the Autumn Equinox, encountering lots of people celebrating around the Nine Ladies stone circle which sits in pretty woodland. We also visited Cromford Moor and explored nearby Black Rocks with its lovely views.
We stayed one night just outside Matlock, which made climbing Gardoms Edge simple, although the rain made it slightly less enjoyable and the views misty. After coming back down, we went straight up onto Birchen Edge from the same car park, the rain clearing to leave an overcast but mild morning. We walked the length of the edge to the Nelson memorial and found the names of three of his ships carved into three large gritstone rocks just opposite the memorial. It was then a pleasant walk back through woodland, under the edge.
That afternoon, we decided to climb Derwent Edge as the weather had brightened up considerably, although it was breezy. The walk from a small layby just off the Sheffield to Snake Pass road, started from Cutthroat Bridge and was gentle and straightforward, the views stunning. In summer, the whole area would have been ablaze with heather and the views were far reaching and wonderful. As we reached the Wheel Stones it began to drizzle again, so we decided to head back, taking a different path and trying to cut a corner back to the bridge which (as it usually does), ended with us crossing some very uneven and marshy terrain which inevitably took far longer…
We then moved to a lovely hotel close to Froggatt Edge for two nights and with that, the weather improved dramatically, with warm sun and clear blue skies. We walked the full length of stunning Froggatt Edge, starting early in the morning up through woodland and past a tiny stone circle to the end of Froggatt where it joins Curbar Edge. These two edges are definitely our favourites and the views were staggeringly beautiful, although very windy at times, but still wonderfully warm. We strolled back and enjoyed lunch sitting outside at the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate cafe, which was beautiful. That afternoon, we explored Padley Gorge; a lovely, cool, quiet and bosky woodland, looking for millstones.
Our final morning was spent exploring Millstone Edge which we had completely to ourselves. For very little effort, there were the most amazing views in all directions. We saw several grouse just ahead of us on the path, beautiful gritstone rock formations, some of which had been carved into animals, and several abandoned millstones. Our final stop before joining the motorway was Haddon Hall, somewhere I’d visited about 30 years ago, but Bro had never been. We marvelled at this stunning house from the Middle Ages with its original furnishings and gorgeous, flower filled gardens, and spent some time sitting in the sun admiring the views.
It really is possible to fit so much into a short break in this beautiful area. We have grown to love the Peak District and will definitely be visiting again in 2024.
