Bagshaw & Malcoff, Nr Chapel-en-le-Frith

Introduction

We’ve had some illness this week, so I was glad to recuperate with a shortish walk on a fine, if largely cloudy day today.

This is a lovely walk in the foothills on the western slopes of the Peak District.

It’s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Bowden Hall, just off the A6 Chapel-en-le-Frith by-pass.

The walk is 4.8 miles long, with 770feet of ascent, and it took about 2 hours 30 minutes.

This walk is in sheep farming country but most fields were empty. There was a fair bit of walking on very minor roads, but probably not ideal for dog walking.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction from Bowden Hall.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.

I parked on the lane at Bowden Hall , leave the A6 by-pass left at the first roundabout where Chapel-en-le-Frith is to the right, What 3 Words ///retaliate.spices.deployed.

Bowden Hall To Bagshaw

Bowden Hall has many buildings and is a fine estate.

I took the path to the right above the hall buildings. This is a decent track and rises to give initial views of the surrounding countryside.

After crossing Sheffield Road, I pass the delightful pond at Slacke Hall.

There are lots of lambs in the fields. This group seemed particularly inquisitive.

Bagshaw Hall Farm is nestled on the side of a lovely valley.

Beyond the farm is the pretty hamlet of Bagshaw.

Stonyford To Malcoff

I took the road out of Bagshaw and enjoyed the views down into the adjacent valley where a parallel path provides an alternative route. (see header picture)

Stonyford is a smaller settlement.

I left the road on a track to the right and found myself almost on the open moors.

Re-crossing Sheffield Road, I could see right down to the glorious valley below.

The track runs around the top of the valley where it passes Bettfield Farm and becomes a path following a line of trees that have suffered a lot of wind damage.

Bolehill Clough is another picturesque spot. Crossing the swollen, steep stream was a momentary challenge!

I made my way over the fields with fine views down the valley.

I reached the head of Peat Lane, a stony track. Autumn’s leaf fall from the beech trees was still gathered here.

Ford Hall is at the bottom of the lane.

Back on another minor road I made my way towards the next hamlet, Malcoff.

Malcoff To Bowden Hall

I followed the road round to the left, and noticed the railway archway to my right, over which the main train line between Manchester and Sheffield runs, before it dives into the tunnel which emerges in Edale.

I took the path to the left, knowing it was a risk to walk alongside the brook!

“Yes, here is the jeopardy”, I said to myself.

However, it was passable, and I made my way to the next hamlet, Wash.

I climbed the road out of the village, and took a narrow path alongside a fence. This emerged at a very muddy field, with half a dozen horses in it. It was horrible, though the horses did just ignore me!

I was almost back at the car now, and so there was no opportunity to clean off my walking shoes which are safely in a bag in the car boot – must clean them tomorrow!

This last field spoilt an otherwise splendid walk!

And Finally….

This is Fever Tree by The Black Keys from their new album, Ohio Players.

It feels like something that could have been played live at Woodstock in 1969. Love it!