Introduction

The forecast was for a sunny day, and so it proved as I headed out to the Peak District. Mind, it was rather cold, no more than 6 C all day!

The drive over past the Cat and Fiddle gave spectacular views across the Cheshire Plain and as I headed down towards the A53 near the Knights Table, the panorama was spectacular.

The walk is approximately 7.5 miles with 990ft, 300m, of ascent to tackle.

Longnor is another very popular starting point for walkers. It is about an hour’s drive from Cheadle Hulme.

The walk took about 3 hours 15 minutes, plus a 10 minute lunch stop.

Similar to last week, this is livestock farming country, so not great for dog walking.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

The start is in the central square in Longnor, where there are also public toilets! Use postcode SK17 0NT.

Manifold Trail

The first third of this walk seemed to offer much , as the route followed the line of the river Manifold from Longnotr to Brund. However, much of the time the river was out of sight, and the path crossed grassy field after grassy field. The sunshine was very welcome. These were the best of the views.

Emerging onto the road at Brund, I looked up and noticed this attractive weather vane, showing the wind blowing down from almost due north.

Sheen

Sheen is a pretty hamlet, with a large church. It’s always a shame when the clock is out of action.

I stopped for lunch shortly after leaving the village, with views to Sheen Hill, with its trig point boldly painted white and standing out above the village.

River Dove and Pilsbury Castle

Turning northeast towards Pilsbury I stopped to share a moment with some farm donkeys.

The spectacular Dove Dale now came into view.

A lengthy downhill path took me to the footbridge over the river, out of Staffordshire and into Derbyshire.

From Pilsbury, the bridleway heads up the valley, arriving at the earthworks of Pilsbury Castle, thought to have been built by the Normans in the late 1060s.

And then it was back to the farmland where another domesticated mammal took an passing interest in me!

Crowdicote to Longnor

The final stretch took me back over the River Dove and afforded a good view of Parkhouse and Chrome Hills as I followed the road back to Longnor.

The weather was definitely the highlight of this walk, which was very pleasant, but fairly unspectacular as Peak District walks go!

And Finally…..

This is from The Stranglers new album, Dark Matters, and pays homage to the recently departed Dave Greenfield, keyboard player extraordinaire!