{"id":1004260,"date":"2021-10-07T20:02:31","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T19:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1004260"},"modified":"2022-11-04T16:10:48","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T16:10:48","slug":"rivers-hamps-and-manifold-from-weags-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1004260","title":{"rendered":"Rivers Hamps and Manifold From Weag’s Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

With unseasonably warm weather forecast, I decided to take a long walk at the southern end of the beautiful White Peak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was indeed warm, but otherwise uninspiring. It was dull and misty for the first hour, then a brief spell of sunshine promised much, before more cloud rolled in for the rest of the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is approximately 9 miles with 1252ft, 380m, of ascent to tackle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weag’s Bridge over the River Manifold is a little way to the east of the village of Grindon, about an hour and a quarter from Cheadle Hulme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk took about 3.5 hours plus a 20 minute lunch stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For dog walkers, the walk isn’t great. There either was, or could have been livestock in most of the fields. The road sections were very quiet, so OK, but the wood section was very muddy. The last section on the tarmac path is excellent for dogs, but would be disrupted by cyclists on a busy day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The start is at the Weag’s Bridge free car park, use postcode ST13 7TX and the car park is to the left when you get to the bottom of the steep hill after leaving Grindon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having completed a similar route a few years ago in an anti-clockwise direction, I chose to walk clockwise today, saving the striking wooded valley of the River Hamps for the final stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

River Manifold and Larkstone Road<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I crossed the bridge, stopping for a photo, and headed up the steep road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The weather had turned misty once I was south of Leek, and the magnificent views back down into the Manifold valley, weren’t as magnificent as I’d anticipated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So I pressed on to the top of the road , then turned off across the fields. It was a dry day, but it had clearly been wet earlier in the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Castern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Castern Wood Nature Reserve falls away down the side of the valley. On another visit, I hope to explore its 21 hectares with 240 plant species, and 150 insect species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This picture looks south towards the wood on the approach path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As I approach Castern Hall there is a brief sunny moment and the view back to Beeston Tor highlights this dramatic feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Castern Hall is a fine looking building, though it seemed strangely deserted today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The footpath sign had been recycled very effectively here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The path was downhill now, eventually reaching Rushley, crossing the river and past a farm with much veterinary activity taking place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Woods – Abbot’s Bank, Musden Wood and Rushley Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The woods climb up a classic White Peak dale. It’s muddy down here! Yet, it’s so tranquil. I took a couple of videos. The first demonstrates that tranquility for 32 peaceful seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n