{"id":1006284,"date":"2022-09-22T16:32:49","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T15:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006284"},"modified":"2022-11-04T11:48:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T11:48:55","slug":"flash-flash-bottom-and-thick-withins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006284","title":{"rendered":"Flash, Flash Bottom And Thick Withins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Was there ever a finer title to a blog?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a walk entirely in Staffordshire, but the most extreme northern tip of the county, adjacent its borders with Cheshire and Derbyshire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was due to rain later so I set off early this morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It turned out to be quite a sunny morning with a strong breeze. Later, it became more hazy, then cloudy as I completed the walk. It was raining as I arrived home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 50 minute drive to Flash from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is just 5.75 miles. Don’t be deceived though, this turned out to be quite a challenging walk, taking 3.25 hours to complete, plus 15 minutes for lunch. It’s hilly, having a total ascent of 1435 feet (440m). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a walk mainly over farmland, so not great for dogs to run off the lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

I parked outside the New Inn at Flash, self-proclaimed highest village pub in England, postcode SK17 0SW. Sadly it wasn’t open on this Thursday lunchtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flash To Flash Bottom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heading west along the road, I was soon greeted by great views to The Cloud and Shutlingsloe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the road headed down I took to the fields on the right , where Axe Edge Green Farm had a pretty duck pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another bird was soaring above me, the unmistakeable outline of a red kite. They are not often seen in our part of the world, so this one drifting across on the wind was a delight to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Continuing downhill, the landscape became softer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I reached the stream at the bottom of the valley, and followed the sign towards Wildstone Rock. The first uphill section of the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Far Brook, the alpacas were very inquisitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After a short road section, the path dropped down steep steps before crossing a field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flash Bottom is one of those farms with all sorts of dilapidated buildings and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flash Bottom To Thick Withins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After Flash Bottom, the route headed uphill across open access land. The path isn’t defined on the ground, and the ground is uneven and marshy in places. I was glad of the dry weather we’ve enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I noticed sudden movement to my right, and was surprised to see a large herd of wild red deer running away from me, then stopping to assess my next moves! A fantastic sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After that tough uphill section, I was rewarded by views south to Axe Edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I crossed the A54; not too busy. Walking down the quiet lane to Pethills Farm, the view down the Manifold Valley is lovely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Smallshaw Farm, there was a ghostly donkey keeping watch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The hillside was filled with vibrant yellow gorse as I looked ahead to Edgetop .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After Thick Withins, the path drops down to cross a brook, which is in fact the uppermost part of the River Manifold. Then the path heads up once again, to Edgetop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Edgetop To Flash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The steep climb is absolutely worth it, giving great views up and down the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not to mention ahead to Chrome Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My route now headed immediately back down the gorse-covered hillside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was a really difficult section, as the path just seemed to disappear, and the GPS map on the phone led me to continual thorny dead ends. It took a good half hour for me to battle through to Dun Cow’s Grove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, I couldn’t see where I’d gone wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I decided lunch was needed for the final ascent back to Flash. I stopped and sat on a wall at a lovely serene spot alongside Brand Plantation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moving on, en route to Blackbank, the grasses made wistful patterns as the wind blew across the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond Blackbank, there was one last view to admire, back down the valley, before returning to Flash, and the disappointment of the pub being closed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was an enjoyable and challenging walk in a wonderful, unspoilt area of the Peak District. If you like the hills, and think you can master finding the route down from Edgetop, give it a go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, it really had to be this, didn’t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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