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We usually meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 9:30am by the village hall. Walks are not long or strenuous; 5 or 6 miles on average, each with a different leader.
Group Leader David Burke
2025 Walks
29th January 2025 Whaley Bridge, Toddbrook Valley, Sponds Hill, Bowstonegate, Moorside.
It was a delight to be out and about in fabulous everchanging countryside - passing through several farms - ancient footpaths - fascinating low-level sheltered woodland - high-level open grassland - 360 degree views stretching to a distant horizon - all in the Toddbrook catchment area.
We took our coffee break on an ancient track prior to climbing up to Sponds Hill where we scanned the far-reaching vistas, before having a picnic lunch, in the lee of a stone wall to provide shelter from the chill in the breeze.
After lunch we left the highest point on the walk and passed Bowstonegate and the former Moorside Hotel and followed our circulate route home, descending through mellow countryside back to the known world, ending the adventure at Slatersbank Farm.
We all enjoyed the scope and variety of the walk and were thankful that the benign weather conditions enhanced the experience - a very good day to remember!
Walk Wednesday 26th February 2025
Twelve of us met at the Holehouse Lane car park, near Whitely Green, in anticipation of a six mile, mud free, incline free and stile free walk.
It had been raining overnight, but the sun was breaking through, and apart from a very light shower, the weather remained kind to us.
We took the northerly direction along the Macclesfield canal tow path until we reached a kissing gate on the left which took us across a damp field to a gate which allowed us to cross a road and join Middkewood Way. We found a picnic area with seating where we stopped for our 11 o'clock coffee break.
We continued along Middlewood Way for just over a mile until we reached Poynton Coppice. Here we joined a road for a short stretch and then joined the Macclesfield canal tow path again, taking the southerly direction.
We continued along the tow path for a further two miles, to rejoin the Middlewood Way again, which took us back the the car park.
Six of us then enjoyed a pub lunch at the Windmill Inn with three more joining us for a drink.
Overall it was a very enjoyable day.
Jeff Mortimer
Walk report 26th March 2025.... “Following in Mallory’s footsteps”
Our walk commenced with a visit to the church of St. Wilfrid in Mobberley specifically to view the stained-glass window which serves as a memorial to the famous mountaineer George LeighMallory, who sadly died on mount Everest just over 100 years ago in May 1924.
From there, our group of 18 intrepid walkers followed a path which may well have been trodden by Mallory himself in his youth as he went to the church with his father (who was the Rector at the time). We stopped for a moment to view Mallory’s birthplace at Newton Hall.
Further on we came to a small aviary containing several peacocks with beautiful plumage, but sadly they did not seem particularly interested in properly displaying for us!
Throughout the walk the rural peace had periodically been interrupted by the noise of aircraft as they flew overhead, and as we neared the airport this became ever more intrusive. On a bank overlooking the airport adjacent to runway 2 we stopped to have lunch and watch the planes, and some workers renewing the white lines on the runway.
Our route now took us via a very impressive river tunnel under runway 2, up to another viewing point close to the threshold for runway 1. From here we enjoyed a very good view of aircraft taking off, and as we passed across just beyond the end of the runway directly under the flight path, we were impressed by the sight of planes passing at close quarters, immediately overhead. A little further on, we passed by the field in which the landing lights and instrument approach radio equipment is situated. At this point the enormous Emirates Boeing 787 Dreamliner was taking off and flew almost directly over our heads… most impressive!
As neared Mobberley once more, we passed by Hobcroft House. This was where the Mallory family moved to when George was aged 7, and it was here and at St Wilfrid’s that he was often to be found climbing the drainpipes and steeples to get on to the roof! Clearly a born athlete and mountaineer from a very early age!
Rick Hedley
High Lane U3A Walk Report for 30th April 2025
On a perfect spring morning 18 walkers joined Merlyn and Joyce for a 6 mile walk to discover the charming countryside around Rudyard Lake on the border of Cheshire and Staffordshire.
With a forecast temperature of 25c we left our waterproofs and winter coats behind, applied sun cream ready to start the walk from Rushton Spencer Old Railway car park.
The journey to Rushton Spencer was problematic. Many roads and side roads around the A523 were closed due to road repairs, leaving the motorist to discover alternative routes via Congleton, Sutton, Langley, Cloudside, and farm tracks!
11am walking started on the disused Churnet Valley railway line to the northern end of Rudyard Lake. We welcomed the shade of the tree cover and marvelled at different shades of green leaves and countryside.
We took a path to the west of the lake ascending a gentle hill to Cliffe Park hall. We stopped to take in the view, the deteriorating Hall, panorama of the lake, woods, hills and what was a former golf course. Merlyn gave an overview of the Cliffe Park Estate, Hall, over its 200 year history.
A coffee stop was taken under tree cover with extensive lakeside views.
Onwards through the woodland above the lake we next arrived at Cliffe park lodge and the yachting club where radio controlled model Yachts were competing on the lake.
We followed the quiet road towards the Dam passing the many boat houses along the lake , extensively modified into holiday and permanent homes.
Lunch stop was taken near the reservoir Dam on the picnic benches looking at the views down the entire lake and enjoying the activities of this prime tourist attraction. Some history was given on the lake/ dam construction and the boom period of this tourist leisure area in its heyday.
Refreshed, we made our way back along the path adjacent to the east side of the lake again under tree cover. Some walker would have liked to take the miniature train but alas it wasn't running. Arriving back David thanked Merlyn & Joyce for the super walk.
Merlyn & Joyce Young
Walk, Wednesday 28th May 2025 Ladybower Reservoir, Derbyshire.
We started from the shoreline of Ladybower Reservoir and then walked to all that remains of Ashopton and then started the steady climb through woodland along the Western flank of Lead Hill. Our upward ascent proceeded through open ground and we were rewarded by spectacular 360 degree views upon reaching the summit, where a welcome coffee stop was enjoyed.
Fortunately, clear conditions provided us with stunning, magnificent, panoramic views of the Dark Peak. Gritstone rock outcrops as far as the eye could see. The landscape is large-scale sweeping moorland which forms an elevated plateau.
Our descent towards Grindle Clough provided further far reaching vistas of the Upper Derwent Valley and beyond. We stopped for our picnic lunch on a grassy bank before arriving back at reservoir level.
We then went to visit the remains of Derwent village, which were exposed due to low water conditions. Alas, the picturesque villages of Derwent and Ashopton were consumed by the Ladybower Reservoir construction, built between 1935 and 1943.
Our onward level route back along the waterline of Ladybower passed through impressive mature woodland and provided classic views of Ladybower, before returning to our starting point.
A superb walking day out which was celebrated with a visit to the local pub!
We had lunch in the village square and visited the Anglican church of St Lawrence, where the history of the plague is displayed. We were fascinated by a sundial located up above the outer chancel door, dated 1775 with the inscription; ‘Encourage an Enquiring Mind' Suitably refreshed, we continued onto the Boundary Stone of Eyam/Stoney Middleton, finding another story of a young couple, sadly parted by the plague. The boy survived and never married. Dropping down through fields with views yet again, we arrived in Stoney Middleton from whence villagers would take food to the Boundary Stone and collect disinfected money with vinegar by the people of Eyam during the plague. We visited the Parish Church of St. Martin. Remarkable by its octagonal tower.
Walking on we passed the Roman Baths, so called, as Roman coins were found on this site. Looking through the windows, we could see a large dark rectangular hole with steps alongside down to the water, supposed to have healing powers in 49AD. The building was rebuilt in the early 19th century.
Walking on we walked up a moderately challenging track, then downwards to join the Derwent River again, and follow it back to the start.
Optional lower paths were made available, to one of our group. Later, we refreshed ourselves in the Calver Arms Pub after an enjoyable 6.5 miles of History and Nature in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales.
Monica Martin
HL U3A Walk 30th July 2025: Ashford in the Water - Monsal Trail/Head - Pennyunk Lane
There was a good turnout for this 5 mile summer walk in the centre of the Peak District. We started with a brief tour of Ashford, learning about some of the history of this beautiful village:
In 926, the village was known as Æscforda, being a ford [over the river Wye] where ash trees grow. In the Domesday Book of 1086 it was recorded as Aisseford.
The village was known for Lead Refining [mentioned in The Domesday Book], and the Black Marble industry, both of which have long ceased. The latter was first quarried then mined locally, and mills were built to cut and polish it using water power from the river.
We were able to see a fine example of Black Marble [not actually a marble but an impure form of limestone naturally impregnated with a bitumen] in the Holy Trinity Parish Church - a table inlaid with Black Marble and various other decorative Peak District minerals.
The church is thought to originally date from around 1205, but has been renovated and extended several times over the centuries. Still in the village, we visited the picturesque Sheepwash Bridge [a scheduled ancient monument where traditional sheep-washing practices carried on until the 1960's], and the sites of two of the village wells, sadly now with the pumps removed and more modern structures over them.
We then set off north on the walk proper, over the fields towards the Monsal Trail. On the way we passed close by the Peak Ales brewery, which was obviously in production. The odour was tempting a few of the walkers to divert! However, we made do with a welcome coffee break in the sunshine.
On reaching the trail we turned west and soon arrived at Headstone Tunnel, which at 533 yards is the longest on this former railway line, followed by the magnificent Headstone Viaduct.
The line was constructed in the 1850s and 60s by the Midland Railway to link Manchester with London. This involved extending the existing line from Ambergate to Rowsley, and then on to Buxton. Here it would connect with the Stockport, Disley and Whaley Bridge Railway which was also extended to Buxton.
This original route would have seen trains running through High Lane at Middlewood, but railway politics intervened, and Midland built a junction just after Millers Dale routed the line through Great Rocks Dale, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Chinley to meet the existing line at New Mills. This section of line is still in use for Quarry traffic.
Leaving the Trail, we climbed steeply up to Monsal Head where we had lunch and splendid views.
A rather narrow and somewhat overgrown path along the shoulder of Monsal Dale took us to open fields and a somewhat easier path back to Ashford, where some of the group retired to the Ashford Arms for welcome refreshments!
Peter Wareham
HL U3A Walk 24th September 2025: Over Haddon- Youlgreave - Alport
On this pleasant autumnal day, eleven walkers set out on a circular route from Over Haddon, a small village above Lathkill Dale, in the limestone area of the Peak District.
Notably, Sir Maurice Oldfield, former head of MI6 from 1973-78 and reputed inspiration for John le Carré's spymaster “Smiley,” was born in Over Haddon. He was also credited with keeping with keeping Britain out of the Vietnam War…….
From Over Haddon we made the steep descent to the Lathkill, a river somewhat unusual for its seasonal flow, parts disappearing underground in dry weather.
An unexpected sight at this point was an exceptionally well renovated Austin Seven; time for a photo opportunity! It even had a sunroof fitted, though likely the smallest anyone had ever seen!
Much of the Lathkill has been dammed and straightened in the past to service the needs of historic lead mining, but this is now seen as detrimental to fish migration, particularly trout. The Wild Trout Trust has recommended that these weirs be removed; most likely this will never happen…..
Despite it not meeting the Environment Agency water quality criterium [mostly due to lead levels] it is known for its crystal clarity and rare aquatic life, including the white-clawed crayfish.
We crossed the Lathkill via the old stone footbridge and made our way up the south face of the dale, through Meadow Place Grange, and on to open fields for a coffee stop with panoramic views over the surrounding hills and moors.
Downhill again into Youlgreave, there was a welcomed stop to stock up on provisions for those that had forgotten their lunch, and for those that just fancied a bigger lunch!
Another photo opportunity was had at the Youlgreave ‘Fountain', a circular stone tank . built in 1829 after a campaign by the ‘Friendly Society of Women' sought a better, healthier water supply than the River Bradford. It was a conduit head, receiving soft water from the surrounding hills.
Descending once again, we reached the River Bradford, and could appreciate the desire to have a piped water supply rather than collect it from the river!
The Bradford has similar geology to, but is shorter than the Lathkill. It supports trout and grayling and some of the dammed parts form popular wild swimming and paddling spots. For us, one of them provided a tranquil lunch spot!
Suitably refreshed, we made our way along to the small village of Alport at the confluence of the Lathkill and Bradford rivers, then upstream along the Lathkill to cross it once again at Conksbury Bridge.
From here our route was all uphill back to Over Haddon, but the climb adequately compensated by superb views of the river and welcome refreshments in the Lathkill Hotel!
Peter Wareham
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