Today hubby and I decided to do a walk that we hadn't done before - the Lea and Holloway Walk
It was a perfect day for it and it was a great walk. I never realised that Florence Nightingale was from round these parts.
It was just my kind of walk. We took in a canal.....
a river.........
plenty of industrial industry........
These are old mill workers cottages in the village of Lea Mills. We have been to Lea Mills before.
Lea Mills consists mainly of the John Smedley factory (and factory shop where you can buy cashmere jumpers for £30 that retail in Harrods and Saks 5th Avenue for over £290! - I bought a pair of socks. 
I took this through a window. Here's something you sadly don't see in England any more - a clothing factory. At one time we had thousands, now we have hardly any. The workers at John Smedley's are very fortunate indeed.
You would think that a factory of any kind would look totally out of place in the Peak District, but I think it enhances this place.
And from above you can hardly see it!
We took in some spectacular views (yes there were a few steep climbs!)
And we commented on how Derbyshire really takes some beating for gorgeousness.
We saw creatures small..... I am always fascinated by an ant superhighway. This leaf was causing them a problem. I could have watched them for ages.
and great......... Yes he was a bull and I don't think he liked us. Thankfully we had a wall between us.
Every field that we walked through was a meadow full of beautiful wild flowers.
They reminded me of family walks when I was a little girl.
We walked through shady glades............
And just when we were really ready for refreshment, a fabulous pub appeared. The Jug and Glass was a fantastic little find. Built by Florence Nightingales family, and once a mill workers cottage, it is now a great little pub.
The snug looked so cosy - I could see myself in here on a winters day.
But the sun was shining, so we ate our Philli Steak Ciabbata's and Cajun fries outside. Yes, mine was a pint as I had worked up a huge thirst, but it did turn my legs to jelly for the last part of the walk!
Our walk took us past Lea Gardens where you could smell the Azalea's as you walked passed.
These gardens are at their best at this time of year.
After our walk, I insisted on calling back at one of my favourite spots - Cromford Mill. We got there just in time for coffee and cake, but sadly too late for the Patchwork Shop!
Hubby and I had a great walk. Now that the young man has a girlfriend, he prefers her company!!! But it does mean that we can walk and talk and have proper conversations again. I am so thankful that we have got to this stage of our lives and still love each others company.
31 comments:
Looks like a lovely day! Glad you had such a nice time! Cx
lovely scenery isn't Derbyshire where Mr Darcy's House was in Pride and Prejudice or am I mistaken?
Thank you for taking us on your lovely walk! You're right, Derbyshire is stunning. My partner and I are talking about possibly retiring there.
We were I'm Derbyshire recently and stayEd in Cromford opposite the mill in fact!
We're in that stage of ours lives too, and I just love it. I've been to Cromford many years ago when our two were still small. I'm going to stay at the caravan site in Chatsworth at the beginning of June,just the two of us, (plus dog!) and I can't wait to visit our favourite Derbyshire places again!
xxx
P.S. You'd better stop drinking pints if you're racing me to lose half a stone!!!!
xxx
Loved sharing that walk with you Diane-fabulous,stunning scenery, my kind of homely pub-delicious grub ! what a great day out !x
Well that was a lovely walk thank you,my SIL buys his jumpers at john smedleys when they have a sale on.Thank you for your kind message yes we are fine Dave is doing very well and he will be returning to work soon but only for two days a week to start off with every thing is looking very positive and l am busy sewing for our holiday but l hope to blog soon .
Hugs Pat.
Lovely weather, lovely photos and lovely countryside. I've only visited Smedley's in bad weather.
Looks like a lovely walk. Some great photos, and that pub does look an excellent place to stop for refreshments.
What a lovely post Diane and a great walk. Years ago I researched my family tree and sme of my ancestors are fromm Holloway!
love
Lyn
xxx
I love Derbyshire. I attended teacher's college at Thornbridge Hall near Bakewell. The Hall and gardens were beautiful.
This looks a really varied and interesting walk, I didn't know that Florence Nightingale had lived in this area either. Like the look of the Jug and Glass and also must remember those cashmere sweaters at Smedley's Mill!
Looks like a perfect day out. Beautiful scenery, good company,a pub and fab foodall with sunshine!
Lisa x
Meant to say there is plenty of Flo Nightingale places to visit down here too if you fancy including them in your next visit.
Lisa x
Looks lovely - your photos show that sometimes old industrial buildings can be just as nice as quaint cottages!
Liz
Interesting post - thanks for sharing. Looked a fab walk. Abby x
Gorgeous photos, as always, and a very interesting tour!
Lovely photos. I love seeing photos of your walks x
Looks like a great walk. I went to Lea Gardens open day many years ago and it was lovely to see all the azaleas and rhododendrons because I can't grow them on my limey soil.
What a great day it was for you! Beautiful walk, a little history, a good meal, a raging bull...oops, forget that last one! Anyway, great post and thanks for taking us along.
What a super happy, uplifting post. Thanks for taking me on this gorgeous walk and it didn't even hurt my sore knee. The forest and flowers are stunning. The meal looks delicious and the company sounds great.
Oh, what a lovely walk! Like you I love Cromford and the Mills. I did know about Florence Nightingale coming from Lea - I seem to remember learning that at school. We visited Lea Gardens a few years ago at this time of year and it was lovely but I seem to remember it is on a hillside and so very steep in places. The pub and your meal look lovely:)
Lovely pictures as usual Mrs, & its lovely to read that you had a good time with hubby..
I hope to be able to say that too in years to come!
Lx
What a lovely walk with lots of variety included. The pub does look really cosy.
Another fab walk! And meal! My mouth is watering at the sight of those chubby chips, mmmmh!
xxxx
Another part of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. Thanks for the tour, I enjoyed it immensly.
Pam x
Golly - my old stomping ground on a blog !!
I was born and bred in Lea Bridge and my mum worked at Lea Mills for 30 years.
Seeing it in photos reminds me that it is such a lovely part of the world and I was very lucky to have lived there until I was 18. Even now I only live a few miles away and in fact had lunch at Lea Gardens today. Such a shame it was blowing a hooley and we chickened out of a walk round the rhododendron gardens.
Ah well, there's always next year....
What a lovely walk. I must explore the John Smedley factory shop again when I go to mum's!
I loved this blog, the story and the stunning countryside. I am very curious how many hours you guys walked? It seemed very long to me, you must be incredibly fit to do all this walking. My MIL is here so for Jake's last 2 weeks of school we are biking. I obviously have to go there AND BACK twice! It's a good (well needed) leg-work-out, however I'm afraid it's a tad to late?! xxxx
I forgot to say that I thought the picture of the 'bridge' above the road reminded me of the 'Ponte de Sospiri' in Venice. Also known as the bridge of sighs. Which was connected to the Pallazoo Duchalen, prisoners would walk through here to hear there sentence and would give a big sigh before being locked up. xx
Oh that's a nice walk. The bull was a bit scary though. I hate even having to go through a field with cows although I know that makes me sound like a wimp
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