{"id":1007287,"date":"2023-04-20T16:04:12","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T15:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007287"},"modified":"2023-04-20T16:04:16","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T15:04:16","slug":"dam-dale-hay-dale-and-peter-dale-in-the-white-peak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007287","title":{"rendered":"Dam Dale, Hay Dale and Peter Dale In The White Peak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

Mid-April to the end of June is my favourite time of year. Today, the cold east wind made winter feel not quite behind us, whilst the bright, high sun gave a real feel of summer arriving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wonderful birdsong, particularly the numerous willow warblers, and the sight of two male redstarts made for a fantastic backdrop to this wonderful walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheston is 50 minutes from Cheadle Hulme, just off the A623 road to Chatsworth and Chesterfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 7 mile walk took took 3 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is quite a lot of road walking, though I only saw two vehicles (other than when crossing the A road). So it’s OK for dogs, provided they can deal with a few stiles, and plenty of these stone wall crossings.<\/p>\n\n\n

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

I parked on the road outside Wheston Hall, postcode SK17 8JA where there is plenty of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

The Upland Section<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are just a few farms in the hamlet of Wheston. One is Wheston Hall, and it made a handsome sight as I turned back from the avenue I was taking in the morning sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The road ahead appeared quite barren beyond the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

However, there were panoramic views across the farmland, and you wouldn’t know there were hidden dales to enjoy between the hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The white walls of Mount Pleasant Farm shone brightly as I met the A623.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The ancient track continued beyond the farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

At Brecktor I took a left turn, stopping to admire the tractor weather vane at the cottage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Peak Forest And Dam Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the road just before the next cottage, I followed a wall steeply downhill. It’s not obvious, but halfway down the hill the path changes from the left side to the right side of the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

At the lower elevations the fields become slightly greener and lusher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

After a short rise, I recrossed the main road, and walked over some fields, admiring the view back to the village of Peak Forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Ahead was Dam Dale Farm, where I could make out the head of the dale, behind the buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Dam Dale is a lovely, quiet, broad dale. This was my first visit to this dale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

These newborn calves probably knew nowhere else!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The path soon meets a track at the start of Hay Dale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Hay Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hay Dale is a National Nature Reserve site. The cliffside before entering the dale was a busy place, with numerous jackdaws, and a beautiful pair of kestrels busy creating homes in the crevices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

In the dappled sunlight at the top of the dale, I saw my first male redstart of the day, indeed, of the year. This spot was alive with warblers, tits and finches too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The signage here says early summer is the best time to visit this place, so the next couple of months will see it bloom in further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Dale And A Peek At Monk Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crossing the minor road, the broad opening to Peter Dale is flanked by a high limestone cliff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

It soon narrows into another delightful tree-lined dale, where I stopped for lunch on a dilapidated dry stone wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Just as the dale opens out, the trees are once again alive with birds and I get a perfect close-up of another beautiful male redstart. The valley, looking back from the road, is a picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Straight on, the path continues into Monk Dale, but I headed up the road, and thought about coming back to enjoy Monk Dale on another visit. It looks inviting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

From here I joined The Pennine Bridleway, and headed back across to Wheston, enjoying a rural scene that I imagine has changed little over many centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The White Peak in spring and early summer is like nowhere else. Just stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, I saw no other humans enjoying this little known section today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morrisey cut his musical teeth with Ed Banger and The Nosebleeds in the 70’s. Well, Ed is now Edweena Banger, but still producing banging punky songs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s “Let’s Do It”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n