Goyt Valley – Errwood Reservoir, East Side

Introduction

There is a change in the weather patterns as autumn approaches. Today, I decided to get out early in a (successful) bid to beat the showers!

The River Goyt provides wonderful local walks from its source in the Peak District all the way to Stockport, where it meets the Tame to form the Mersey. This walk is in the upper reaches of the river valley.

It’s a 40 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Errwood Reservoir.

The walk is 5.3miles with a challenging 1150feet of ascent.

It took 2 hours 40 minutes to complete the walk.

This walk is unsuitable for dog walking, with difficult stone stile-steps over walls and lots of sheep on Watford Moor. However, a walk up Goyt’s Lane and along the dismantled railway, returning along my route down Wilmoorstone Brook would make a lovely short walk with a dog.

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Maps OL24.

I parked in the car park at the east end of the Errwood Reservoir dam, postcode SK17 6GJ, What 3 Words ///tasteful.monks.napped

Errwood Reservoir To Longhill Farm

Stepping out of the car I was immediately reminded of what a stunning spot this is.

From the car park (lay-by) a gate leads downhill through a pretty copse.

At the bottom of the bank a bridge crosses a small stream and then the first climb soon had me stopping to look back at the view.

A steady climb eventually comes out on the A5004 road between Whaley Bridge and Buxton. It’s not too busy as the A6 carries most traffic between these towns. A short road stretch ends at a driveway which initially drops down to cross a stream (currently dry).

The route ahead can be seen on the opposite side of the valley.

Longhill Farm To The Dismantled Railway

After a good long uphill track, I emerged at the junction of Goyt’s Lane and the A5004. Leaving the main road, I negotiated Longhill Farm (passing straight in front of the buildings) with help from a young farm worker. A gate took me onto the open moorland pasture. Evidently, this path is little used as it only occasionally appears on the ground, and there are no waymarkers. Also, it was quite soft and a bit damp, which made me think it would be impassable in a normal British climate year!

I could now see Watford Wood ahead of me on the right.

I disturbed a flock of about 20 lapwings which circled round and landed behind me.

The wood is dense, and predominantly beech.

Watford Farm is on the far outskirts of Buxton, with fine views towards the town.

I passed through the farmyard, then turned right straight up the hill, though there was no signage, nor path on the ground. Keepimg left, I dropped down to a rather domestic scale gate.

I emerged at Beet Lodge, with its pretty, tranquil gardens feeling slightly out of place so soon after the rugged Watford Moor.

A long drive descends from here, affording lovely views over farmland and Cavendish Golf Course to Buxton.

A cottage on the right has an interesting weather vane!

Just beyond here, my route back to the moors was aided by the presence of some well made steps.

I emerged once more onto open moorland.

Cromford And High Peak Railway (C&HPR)

It seems incredible that you suddenly come upon this ancient disused railway here. It is evidenced by its bricked up tunnel entrance, and the track bed being an excellent path.

The railway required an Act of Parliament. This was passed in 1825 for a “railway or tramroad” to be propelled by “stationary or locomotive steam engines,” which was remarkable considering few people considered steam locomotives to be feasible, and given that the Stockton and Darlington Railway only opened in that year, this was a highly innovative idea.

Read more about the rationale for, and construction of the C&HPR here –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromford_and_High_Peak_Railway

Wildmoorstone Brook And Errwood Reservoir

I crossed straight oveer the dismantled railway track and headed down the valley.

The colours are now emerging in the heather, and this is a pretty path.

At the bottom, there are some lovely old weathered signposts.

Rounding the next corner, I expected to see water, but the reservoir bed is dry. Even the viewpoint bench has lost its view!

Eventually I reached the remaining water.

Fortunately, the lower reservoir in the valley, Fernilee, is still pretty full, but we do need some rain to replenish supplies!

Back at the car, I drove across the dam, and stopped to photograph the Sailing Club’s slipways into Errwood Reservoir. They won’t be sailing for quite some time!

This is a wonderfully varied walk, with so many points of interest.

Delightful!

And Finally….

On Monday, we saw the charismatic Matt Berninger of The National, in solo mode . Loved it!

Here is “Junk”.