{"id":1009682,"date":"2025-04-12T09:52:50","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T08:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009682"},"modified":"2026-07-02T23:03:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T22:03:59","slug":"tideswell-dale-millers-dale-cressbrook-dale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009682","title":{"rendered":"Tideswell Dale, Miller’s Dale & Cressbrook Dale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

I was booked on a tour of Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell on Thursday afternoon, so a trip to a classic White Peak area was a great start to the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was cool, but splendidly sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk starts in Tideswell Dale, a 45 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 5.6 miles with 660feet of ascent .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 2 hours 45 minutes to complete, plus 30 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is reasonable for dog walking, though some areas are grazed by sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

I parked at Tideswell Dale Car Park, postcode SK17 8QH, What 3 Words \/\/\/text.wisdom.comedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are toilets at the car park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Tideswell Dale And Miller’s Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the car park, a wide path meanders down Tideswell Dale alongside a small stream. This is a lovely path, alive with birdsong at this time of year, notably chiffchaffs and the beautiful warble of the blackcap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path meets a minor road alongside the River Wye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the end of the lane, the route runs through the converted Litton Mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond the mill, is a gorgeous path alongside the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I expected this to be a really popular spot, but nearing 11am there was barely a sole to be seen in this stunning place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cressbrook And Cressbrook Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Arriving at Cressbrook, the river widens out to feed another mill. There were a few more folk here, a lovely beauty spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here I left the river and headed uphill on another lane, through woodland, along which I met no vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A right turn leads down into the dale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the bottom is a small cul-de-sac lined with old workers cottages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond the cottages the lane ends and a path took me up the dale. I was immediately struck by the absence of water in the stream bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This doesn’t detract from the fact this is a special place, part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve which consists of 5 dales (Lathkill, Monk’s, Long, and Hay being the others).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After strolling slowly up the wooded valley, including a 30 minute stop for lunch, watching and listening to the birds, I emerged into the open land. It felt somehow un-English here, being dry, dusty, and not very green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The left turn into Tansley Dale really didn’t need a bridge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tansley Dale To Tideswell Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tansley Dale itself was equally dry, but I enjoyed the climb up and stopped to take in the view behind me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once out of the valley, the farmland crossing felt like a much more familiar landscape, of pasture and drystone walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here it was not far before the village of Tideswell came into view, and I was soon dropping down into the dale and back at the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All in all, a delightful circuit in these classic dales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And 15 minutes later I was preparing to enjoy a few samples in Thornbridge brewery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was saddened by news of the passing of my favourite drummer this week, Clem Burke of Blondie. I’ve been searching through the Blondie archives, and playing lots of tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the little known Youth Nabbed As Sniper from Plastic Letters, 1978. Just listen to the drumming!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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