Tideswell Dale, Miller’s Dale & Cressbrook Dale

Introduction

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.

The weather was cool, but splendidly sunny.

This walk starts in Tideswell Dale, a 45 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.

The walk is 5.6 miles with 660feet of ascent .

It took 2 hours 45 minutes to complete, plus 30 minutes for lunch.

The walk is reasonable for dog walking, though some areas are grazed by sheep.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

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

There are toilets at the car park.

Tideswell Dale And Miler’s Dale

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.

The path meets a minor road alongside the River Wye.

At the end of the lane, the route runs through the converted Litton Mill.

Beyond the mill, is a gorgeous path alongside the river.

I expected this to be a really popular spot, but nearing 11am there was barely a sole to be seen in this stunning place.

Cressbrook And Cressbrook Dale

Arriving at Cressbrook, the river widens out to feed another mill. There were a few more folk here, a lovely beauty spot.

From here I left the river and headed uphill on another lane, through woodland, along which I met no vehicles.

A right turn leads down into the dale.

At the bottom is a small cul-de-sac lined with old workers cottages.

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.

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).

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.

The left turn into Tansley Dale really didn’t need a bridge!

Tansley Dale To Tideswell Dale

Tansley Dale itself was equally dry, but I enjoyed the climb up and stopped to take in the view behind me!

Once out of the valley, the farmland crossing felt like a much more familiar landscape, of pasture and drystone walls.

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.

All in all, a delightful circuit in these classic dales.

And 15 minutes later I was preparing to enjoy a few samples in Thornbridge brewery.

And Finally….

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.

This is the little known Youth Nabbed As Sniper from Plastic Letters, 1978. Just listen to the drumming!