Introduction
Gosh, it’s been so wet recently… and showers were once again forecast today. However, it was quite cloudy and windy, but it stayed dry for this journey into the Peak District.
Birchover and Winster aren’t names that are instantly associated with the White Peak, but both villages are lovely and they are surrounded by magnificent countryside.
Mid-May to the end of June is the best time to visit the area, as the constant birdsong is a wonderful background to the countryside.
This walk is 6.6 miles long and took 3 hours 30 minutes, including a 20 minute lunch break. There is 1160 feet of ascent, and inevitably, quite a lot of mud to contend with.
At this time of year, the journey is about 1 hour 10 minutes each way by car.
Dogs would need to be on the lead for most of this walk due to sheep pasture, minor road sections, and heathland with ground nesting birds.
I walked in an anti- clockwise direction, contrary to the arrows shown on the map below! I started from Birchover..
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.
I parked on the roadside near the Red Lion Inn, postcode DE4 2BN, What 3 Words /// verve.segmented.foot
Birchover To Winster
I set off down Main Street and joined a pretty track heading towards the Old Vicarage.
The Old Vicarage has a lovely garden pond.
Continuing ahead the track rises and I was soon enjoying the views of the dale to my right, and then the rocky outcrop ahead.
The route skirts Birchover Wood, and there was no a hint of sunshine through the trees.
At Uptown Farm I took the road to the right and then headed onto a clear path across the fields towards Winster on the opposite side of the valley.
The fields were very wet, though there were sufficient well placed stones to make it a relatively straightforward traverse.
Winster is a small village, though it does boast a shop and at least one (probably more) pub.
Winster To Warrencarr
I walked along the main street, passing the school and car park, then out along the B5057. For a short stretch there’s no footpath, and I took care to make sure it was quiet as I stopped to enjoy the view.
I was soon walking down through that buttercup field to reach a bridge over the brook.
The path follows the water’s edge through Clough Wood. It was very wet, with patches of deep mud to be carefully circumnavigated! Slow going, but the birds and the brook were great companions.
In due course I emerged onto a track, and enjoyed the view back along the valley as I ascended.
At Cowley Knowl, the route isn’t obvious. It actually goes through an unsigned gate to “Sabine Hay”. After a while a sign on the right advises walkers to beware slippery steps if taking the path downhill. I did take the path, and the steps were very, very slippery. I took great care, yet still enjoyed the views over to Matlock.
Warrencarr To Stanton Moor
Now, I took to the road, first flat, then rising steadily to Stanton Lees. Beyond this hamlet, it’s still uphill, with much evidence of historic quarrying. I rested for lunch in a small coppice to the right of the road. Restarting, I was impressed by this use of dry stone walling skills using huge stones, presumably from the adjacent quarry.
I turned left at the road junction here, still going uphill!
Shortly, a path off to the left led up towards a wood. I entered the wood, and took the path to the right which skirted a field of wheat, swaying rhythmically in the wind.
As the mainly beech and oak woods thinned, silver birch became more prominent, and ahead in a clearing I reached the 4000 years old Nine Ladies Stone Circle where several families were enjoying a half term trip out!
A cuckoo was calling nearby. I didn’t see the bird, though you may hear it on this short video clip!
I was now crossing Stanton Moor,, which is really more of a heath than a moor.
The open heath is now dotted with clumps of rhododendron. It’s sad to think that, if unchecked, the rhododendrons will cover this habitat over the next few decades, and the skylarks, willow warblers and cuckoo will no longer make it their home..
As I descended back to Birchover, the rain clouds were gathering, so I was glad to enjoy a last view across the peaks before returning to the car.
This walk is set in an area just 2 or 3 miles off the A6 between Bakewell and Matlock, but being beyond the famed beauty spots, it offers opportunities to enjoy classic Peak District views without the crowds!
And Finally….
We all “Dance(d) The Night Away” with The Mavericks 26 years ago, and they’re still delivering excellent Latin infused country music. Their new album is Moon And Stars, and this track is The Years Will Not Be Kind.