It is my view that the dales of the White Peak District are at their best in April and May..
So with a decent weather forecast I headed for the Coombes Valley RSPB reserve which I try to visit every spring. It is a one hour drive from Cheadle Hulme.
Follow this link for more information about the reserve:-
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/coombes-valley/
The weather was beautifully sunny, warm enough, and only interrupted by occasional fluffy white clouds.
This 8.7 mile walk ascends by 1450feet, 440metres, and it took four and a quarter hours!
There are some sections where it would be suitable for dogs to run off the lead in woods and on fenced paths and minor roads, but there is also some sheep pasture and bird reserves where a lead is essential.
There is a car park at the RSPB reserve, postcode ST13 7EU.
Most of the walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24 and the most southern section is on Map 259.
Coombes Valley RSPB Reserve
A sparrowhawk swooped along the hedgerow as I left the car. I was soon off down the steep path into the valley.
It’s still Easter school holidays for some, and I could hear children enjoying themselves, seemingly in the treetops to my right. There is indeed a treetop walkway up there!
There are a few “birders” around and I share a few minutes with a couple as we watched a small party of willow tits in the nearby trees.
Down by the brook it’s time to stay still and keep an eye out for the star bird of Coombes Valley, the magical, small, but unmistakeable pied flycatcher.
And I found one! Not a great picture on the phone, but he’s there on the left edge of the large tree trunk.
The bird is bright black and white, and just looks really clean, and easily seen.
After Cloughmeadow Cottage, I followed the path parallel with the brook, not crossing it. The RSPB’s Loop path soon rises up to provide a lovely view of the valley.
I left the path and made my way round the end of the open field on my left, and joined the Staffordshire Moorlands Walk path, heading on to the equally lovely Whitehough Wood.
Whitehough Wood To Consall
The scenery is captivating, and there were no people at all on these paths today.
Whitehough Hall is the first of many grand halls and farms on the route.
A little further on, this stone roller has been carved as a nameplate.
The track runs down to a ford through a stream.
The path here crosses some fields and is tricky to follow before rising up to Coltstone. After walking along the front of some buildings and the side of a garage, I found the entry to Blackbank Wood. This is a little used path, but it’s easy to follow. The wood is thick, and not photographable! At Collyhole Brook, I crossed the stream and a field before emerging onto a road where I went left and left again to wander back down to a bridge over the brook.
At the bridge there is a path down the left bank of the brook. This isn’t a public right of way, but is a well-used path following the water all the way down through another pretty wood massed with these yellow flowers.
At the road, there is a fishing pond, with a couple of fishermen enjoying the sun. It’s a lovely pool.
I proceeded along the road, passing a nice, converted former chapel, ignored the path to the right. I arrived at the track into the RSPB owned Crowgutter Wood.
This is a more open woodland, and a long downhill stretch leads past a former mill. All that’s left is a waterfall.
And then comes the Caldon Canal, and Churnet Valley Railway.
It’s a heritage line, with beautifully maintained stations. After the station, the Black Lion comes into view.
The path doesn’t cross the canal, nor the railway line, but it does cross the front garden of the Black Lion. Well, just a half!
It’s Uphill From Consall
It starts with the Devil’s Staircase…. plus fallen tree to negotiate!
At Belmont Hall, the drive curves left. Where the path leads off to the right, my path to the left is less obvious!
Much of the rest of the walk is on farmland and roads.
I love this sheep.
And this horse at Mosslee Hall Farm.
The sandstone farm cottages are lovely too!
As is the view.
Joining the road, I went down and over Combes Brook ( only one “o” in the brook’s name, but two in the reserve’s name). I bought half a dozen eggs for £1.00 , using the honesty box at Mosslee Mill Farm, and then it was uphill, first by road, then path to the top of Ferny Hill, almost 500feet of continuous ascent.
At the top, the distant Visitor Centre came into view.
And soon, I was back at the car and on the way home.
This is one of the best walks to do on a fine day in April / May – wonderful, quiet countryside, great birding, industrial heritage, and a great pub. Hard to believe the reserve is just 11 miles from Stoke-on-Trent station.
Highly recommended.
And Finally….
Last night, we went to see the delightful Oh Wonder. This is “Rollercoaster Baby” from their latest album 22 Break.