On Monday 29th April at 10am we set off for the Peak District. A straightforward drive up the M5/M6 to junction 15 then onto A500, A52, A520, A53 then a few B roads to campsite Beech Croft Farm SK17 9TQ.
Arriving at just after 1pm I booked in for the next 4 nights, found a level grass pitch, and set up the awning. After a quick lunch we set off for the first planned walk.
Walk 1: Chrome and Parkhouse Hill, Derbyshire 5miles Start point Earl Sterndale SK17 0RW
We parked in Earl Sterndale next to the church opposite The Quite Women Public House. To start the walk cross the road and at the right hand side of the Quite Woman pub there is a gate allowing access around the back of a house to another gate which leads to a lane. Cross the lane to another gate and then follow the path through a field almost due west to pass by a wall end. The walk continues through a gate with a water trough and across a field to a well-camouflaged wall stile. From here the path descends to the road, go through the gate across the road and through the gate opposite leading into a field. Cross this field to another gate. With Parkhouse Hill on the right, follow the path straight ahead and the go to the lane on the left and follow the lane to the foot of Chrome Hill. Climb Chrome Hill following the well-worn path noting that in wet weather conditions the limestone underfoot can be slippy.
At the top there are spectacular views of the Dove Valley and across to Hollins Hill and Staffordshire.
We only climbed Chrome Hill, but it is also possible to climb Parkhouse Hill.
After descending Chrome Hill we walked back to the camper retracing our tracks.
Walk 2: Mam Tor and the Great Ridge 8.5 miles Start point Hope S33 6ZG We parked next to St. Peter’s Church in Hope. We then walked past the church on our left-hand side up the main street and took the turning on the left signposted to the cement works. About 200 yards up the road a gate can be found on the right. Go through the gate and keeping the stream on the right-hand side follow the path through several fields with stiles passing the comprehensive school on the right and on until eventually the path takes you behind a farm. Follow the lane to the main road and into Castleton. In Castleton follow the signs to Peveril Castle. Approaching the castle entrance walk to the left and find the signpost for Cave Dale. The walk leads up the Limestone Way via Cave Dale. On the path looking to the right Peveril Castle can be spotted high up on the ridge. The path leads up to Old Moor where Mam Tor can be spotted way over to the right. Following a track on the right, which passes a farm on the right eventually this leads to the main pathway to the summit of Mam Tor after crossing the main road. After climbing to the top of Mam Tor the path over the Great Ridge can be viewed as far as the eye can see. After refuelling on Mam Tor we walked to Hollin’s Cross and onto Back Tor. At the end of the Great Ridge we descended into the tree lined avenue of Losehill End and back into Hope.
Walk 3: The Roaches & Lud’s Church 7 miles The Roaches ST13 8UA Heading on the main A53 Buxton to Leek road turn off at road signposted Upper Hulme and follow the lane west to find a section where there is permitted parking. The Roaches can be seen from the road on the right hand side. The walk starts from (grid ref. SK006618) where a footpath sign on the north side of the road points to a dip between Hen Cloud and the Roaches. Take this path following the wall on the right till you come to a stile on the right. Stay in this field and turn left and walk straight over to a stile on the other side of the field. Once over this stile the path in front ascends to The Roaches. The climb is steady and at the top there are views of a large part of North Staffordshire, Tittesworth reservoir, the Cloud, and parts of Cheshire. The walk passes Doxey Pool before reaching the trig point marking the summit (505m.).
When you reach the end of The Roaches, cross the road and turn right descending the path signposted Lud’s Church. At the first junction (grid ref. SJ994649) take the left hand path and this leads through pleasant woodland to Lud’s Church. After exploring the rocky chasm of Lud’s Church return to the path and continue in a westerly direction to walk in a loop back to Roach End. Cross the road and retrace the route over The Roaches and back to the start.
Walk 4: Dovedale 8 miles Thorpe Cloud DE6 2AY Travelled to Thorpe using postcode above, then off the Thorpe to Ilam road (grid ref. SK146508) parked in a large car park with toilet and cafe facilities (£3 all day). From the car park we walked up Thorpe Cloud this is right behind the car park. We then descended down the north face towards the stepping stones over the River Dove below. Following the path on the right hand side of the river we walked to Milldale where we crossed the bridge and stopped for refreshments. Due to the wet conditions (alternative route) we walked up the slight gradient of road from the house adjacent to the bridge for 200 yards and followed the sign on the left up a steep climb to a gate marked National Trust. Following the signs through several fields with stiles or gates the route takes us to Hall Dale an excellent example of a dry valley. We eventually arrived back at the River Dove and followed the river until we came to Ilam Rock. The path then climbed steeply up into the woods and headed south till we reached the westernmost corner of Hurt’s Wood. Here climb a fence and stay within the wood’s boundary following a clear path for most of the way. (Note this alternative route might involve a minor trespass?)
A pleasant high level walk continues along the western rim of Dove Dale to reach Air Cottage. Turn west to Ilamtops Farm and south on a signed ‘right of way’ to reach Bunster Hill. The car park can be viewed form this point and it is just a matter of finding a path to descend back to Dove Valley.
I would just like to add that this was my first visit to the Peak District. I chose the Beech Croft Farm because of the many excellent reviews and due to its location being in an ideal spot for the 4 walks I had planned. Well, the facilities on site were excellent. The shower/toilet block is in excellent condition with perfect hot showers and it is in a very clean condition. There are excellent children play areas, a dog exercise area, and a new reception and shop building which opened on Tuesday 30th April. I had a grass pitch for the campervan and awning. Electric was available but I did not require electric hook up. I was advised if I wanted a flat pitch the top of the field was best. I took the advice, however, the only downside was the distance to shower/toilet building. Would I stay here again? Yes. Would I recommend to others and would I revisit the Peak District? Yes. Beautiful scenery, excellent for walking and taking photographs.