Sunday 15th August 2010. Tideswell circular.

A week or two ago, Martin posted a walk on his blog  a walk, or a bimble as he put it, around Tideswell.
Organised by Sue W, bless her.
It had been many moons, too many to count, since last i tramped the gorges of the White Peak area in Derbyshire.
I eventually found my old WP map and on it i had penned in a route which was scarily much like Sue W's.
The scary thing was that i couldn't remember doing it!
Then at the bottom of the map was marked the date i had done the walk, which was August 1990. Almost 20 yrs to the day.
The walk still didn't come to mind so i decided that as Sheila had to work all day saturday, we would do the walk again Sunday, but following the route shown below, copied with kind permission from Martin's blog.

Having found the car park/picnic area located to the south of Tideswell, and we were the first ones there.
We paid our dues and set off down Tideswell dale where we came across a well fed 6 ft long rodent.

We moved on rapidly just in case he felt hungry.
We took a left into Millers Dale which was full of wild life. Moorhens, Coots, Dippers, Mallard, swans and more.
It was very peaceful and a pleasant walk to the road at Cressbrook where you can get tea and coffee if they are open. We were too early.

From the road at Cressbrook we headed North up Cressbrook dale, past the lovely old cottages at Ravensdale.
As the path rises through the trees and then turns east, there are good views up the Dale and across to Tansley Dale.

The path east to Wardlow is easy and marked on the map is a pub. As far as we know this has now gone. We didn't find the pub.
Walking north just passed the church the track turns east through farm land. The path is over gown and full of nettles.  Across the road the route carries on east and crosses the stile in the fence about 150yds ahead left. Then it's north passing Castlegate farm on the left and through to Housley house with it's pretty pond.

Across the A623 follow the B road to Foolow village. The pub was open we we gave it a miss and had lunch sat by the duck pond. The residents approved.

Finding the path west, eventually. It goes between two walls to the left of the pond as you approach it.

The well trod path through fields to Stanley house is a gradual descent and the views south to Peters stone are wonderful. We were so lucky the day was perfect weather.

From the stile at Stanley House we met the owner and found out he had been there 30 yrs and was just about used to the fantastic views.
He pointed out the gap in the wall ahead and the grey Silo in the farmyard at Somerset house farm. This was the route.
However there were cows and bulls in the field and at the wall gap.
Sheila asked if the Bulls were friendly to which he replied that there wasn't a problem as long as we could run through the field in 59 seconds because the bull takes 60!
We laughed and went on our way. There was no problems with the livestock.

We crossed the A623 again and passed the Three Stags head inn. We should have gone in but we didn't.
Next time.

Just across the road from the pub there is a cottage with a 5 bar gate. The route goes through this gate and bears right behind what could be a garage. There is no footpath sign here strangely.
In a few minutes the dale opens up and reveals Peters Stone.
It's a must to go up here.

Come off the stone to the SW and descend steeply to the path which in a few minutes arrives at some stepping stones in a dry river bed. Cross these and over the stile into Tansley Dale.
The day had definitely warmed up and according to my Suunto it was 25 degrees. (it wasn't on my wrist). As we progressed up the dale towards Litton we both found ourselves lacking energy.
As we approach the top of the dale a breeze met us and it was appreciated. We stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the cooling effect before carrying on to Litton.

The route bypasses Litton to the south and progresses west on a green lane where the view is stunning. Masses and masses of parallel walls.
It reminded me of the Black House crofts in the Outer Hebrides. Where each croft has a plot of land, usually narrow but long.
I am sure that this will have been photographed millions of times and my image just doesn't do it justice.

Along the road for a few minutes, there is a stile in the wall on the right where the road takes a sharp left.
Eventually descending to Litton dale past the newly renovated dale house to the main road.
Turning left down the road and left again at the junction brings you back to the car park.

We had had a lovely day, good weather always helps and the scenery was wonderful.
So thank you Martin for sharing this walk and allowing me to copy the map and Sue W for choosing the route.
A bimble to be savoured.