Monsal, Cressbrook and Litton Dales

On Wednesday we were supposed to be doing a day trip to York, but a sideways glance at the Bank Balance, combined with brilliant blue skies again, suggested somewhere where the temptation to shop would not be possible. And so it was no great hardship to pack a picnic and head off to one of my favorite places in the whole world - spectacular Monsal Dale.
I love this place and the many interesting and truly beautiful places around here.

When I am cooped up in my office on lovely days, I dream of being able to ramble around this place. Here I am - living the dream.

We started our walk by the old mill at Cressbrook. This was a cotton mill in the 1700's and children from the workhouses as far away as London were brought here to work. The mill has recently been converted into very swish apartments.

We wandered through Water-Cum-Jolly (great name). This is where the river formed a great mill pond to power the mill at Cressbrook.

The mill owners house stands at the top - overlooking (as they all seemed to do) the mill below. Its a stunning Gothic pile and can currently be hired out for weddings.

Lots of the old mechanics of the mill ponds and relics from the mill can be seen along the way making it even more interesting. You know I love a great walk littered with an Industrial past!

We eventually came to the mill at Litton. This was a notorious mill and the owners were very cruel to the children who worked here. Again, this has been turned into apartments, but I don't know how I would feel living in something with such a horrific past.

Its difficult to imagine that this valley was once heavily industrialised. I saw a notice that said that the river Wye is 22 miles long in Derbyshire and there is evidence of 25 mills along it.

In the past, we always have turned around and retraced our steps, as I didn't realise that you could cross the river and return over the (very high, very steep)moor. After a conversation with another walker, we decided to give this route a go.

Whilst I am glad we did this, because the views were stunning, I don't know if I would attempt it again. It was very high with narrow paths and sheer drops in parts. Hubby and the young man were amused by my terror!

What I also find amazing about this area is that it used to actually be the sea bed - you can see fossils in the rocks. Volcanoes erupted and it is now as far away from the sea as it is possible to be in England. It makes me realise that we live on a dangerous planet.

The trees added to the spectacle.

You get a better look at Cressbrook Hall from here too. If you enlarge this you will see how grand it is.

And another view of Cressbrook Mill - from higher up this time. Cotton was spun at the mill until 1930, and synthetic fibres were produced here after that.

The old railway line that used to run through here has been defunct for some time. I was horrified to discover that they are opening up the 4 tunnels along here for cyclists!! If there is one thing I hate more than heights, its tunnels! Especially when you can't see the light at the end of!!!

The boys have plans for a cycle trip - whilst I will look after their bags sat outside the Monsal Head Hotel!!!