03/12/2017
With only a few hours to spare we chose another short walk. This time we would be taking in Eyam moor, Stoke ford, Abney and Bretton clough...Parking high up, on the Bretton side of Sir William hill would save us the climb up from Eyam. It would also mean that we will have fantastic views for the whole round. A sharp cold wind as we set off up the track to Eyam moor. Its a most interesting little tract of moorland, littered with Ancient cup marked stones, a place that would have been alive with Druids in times passed, there are also a couple of Stone circles up there. I will return one day for a more leisurely perusal. Its also a grand view point looking out across the valley of the Derwent towards the Edges of Froggatt and Curbar.
The path drops gently down from Eyam moor heading for Stoke ford, I have always loved this path, there are some nice views into Bretton clough as the path hugs the edge of the valley, this is a great place to sit [ in Summer] and soak it all in.
We dropped down to Stoke ford on a muddy/slippery path to cross the stream via a footbridge. This is another popular place for walkers to stop, have a sit down and open the flask and the snap box, not today though as we pressed on up along Abney clough.
Abney clough has been wooded for many years, but all has changed recently as the Japanese Larch plantation that covered the slopes of the hill have reached maturity and are currently being felled. Always an eyesore to see freshly cleared woodland but things must move on . The Woodland will be replaced with native trees including 50% Oak along with Birch and Alder.
We slipped and slithered along the muddy path up to the small village of Abney. A quiet,out of the way little village where nothing really ever happens, just my sort of place. In Old English Abney is known as Abbas land, I half expected to see Benny pop his head up from behind a walk to say "Hi" but we saw not a soul, just a few barking farm dogs... Leaving the village we headed towards Bretton clough.
Bretton clough was beautifully quiet, the only noise came from my panting as we climbed out of the valley. Lovely views back towards Abney low..It hasn't always been a quite place though as it is documented that the local farmers once hid their cattle in this valley from Bonnie prince Charlie and his Highlanders as they invaded Derbyshire on their way south..
We reached the small hamlet of Bretton, with its lovely old pub called The Barrel, a traditional Derbyshire country inn dating back to 1597. Standing at some 1300 feet above sea level the pub claims to be the highest in Derbyshire. Sadly not yet open as we passed by today, shame as I could have murdered a pint.
Just a hop, skip and a jump back along the road now to the car. There are some nice views along here looking out across towards the White Peak area of Derbyshire....A short but sweet 5 miles. Nothing much happened but I enjoyed everystep.
