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Adventures

Walking Routes: Bamford Circular Walk in the Peak District

17/8/2017

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Win Hill, Derbyshire
Win Hill with weather approaching
​If you’re going to go out on the moors on ‘The Glorious Twelfth’, the day the grouse shooting season starts, you’re likely to experience something magnificent, namely the heather in flower. In flower, it transforms the moors into huge swathes of purple among the bracken, grass, rocks and gorse.  And, the scent coming off the flowers is strong.

In the second of our ‘Wild Pub Walks’, taken from the book, ‘Wild Pub Walks’, published by CAMRA, Penny and I set out on the Peak District walking route called ‘Bamford Circular’. It’s a 13-mile route which takes in two peaks and a ridge before returning to the starting point through the Hope Valley in Derbyshire.
Black Tor

Bamford Circular GPX File

Download the GPX file of the route here to use on the online Ordnance Survey maps
bamford_circular.gpx
File Size: 12 kb
File Type: gpx
Download File

Starting Out

​The book suggests starting at the railway station in Bamford (assuming you use the train to get to there). We drove there from Lincolnshire and parked in a lane,  which leads to the station’s car park. But, you could park at the small car park at the recreation ground on Water Lane. 

From there, we walked up Water Lane following the footpath to Thornhill, a gentle ascent to the hamlet. From there, you take a footpath which takes up towards the first Peak, Win Hill.

The route takes you up a track (which was a little muddy when we took it) that leads to the east of the hill. You walk through some woods and out onto the moorland. We saw several people taking part in a race across the moors, following a marked route. 
Path to Thornhill
Thornhill - Wild Pub Walks
The junction in Thornhill which you pass through on the return, too

Approaching Win Hill

Penny Hawkins walking up Win Hill
The point at which you follow the contours around Win Hill before the final climb up it
As you near Win Hill the path becomes steeper for a stage before levelling off and following the hill’s contours along to some woods, where you turn left and take some steps up to the summit. It’s hard going this early in the walk, so prepare your lungs and legs for a workout.

The hard work is worth it. As you reach Win Hill’s summit, the views open up around you.  You can see for miles to the south and west, and over the nearby ridges to the north and east.

It was windy on top and there were showers approaching us. But, the view was spectacular. Furthermore, the top of Win Hill is rocky and offers a little shelter if you want to stop there for a break. We could see over to the next peak on the walk (Losehill) and Mam Tor, in the distance. North of us, in the valley, a rainbow appeared as a shower passed over.
Win Hill, Derbyshire facing west
Win Hill
​​There’s a ‘TRIG point’ at the top, and the path down is to its south, which leads west towards ‘Thornhill Brink’. You take the marked footpath, which leads south-west to Twitchill Farm.
​
The path drops down a steep slope towards the farm. The sun, by this time, was out and it became too hot to wear waterproofs. We had had on them on for about ten minutes.​

​Down to Hope

Towards Twitchill Farm
The steep path through Twitchill Farm towards Hope (Losehill in the distance)
​You pass through Twitchill Farm and onto its tarmac road to the village below, Hope. You’ll find ‘The Cheshire Cheese Inn’, recommended in the book. It’s a 16th Century inn and looks lovely. We didn’t stop, however, for a pint. 

The route takes you over the River Noe, up a short slope and straight over the road to a footpath. This leads to a field in which you turn right (north) towards Losehill.

​The path goes through fields, over a bridge (for which there is a warning sign stating that no more people than 20 people should be on the bridge at a time - i.e. don’t cross with Ramblers!) over the railway line. 

You then walk along someone’s drive, past their sheds and onto a track. The footpath is now in fields and starts to rise towards the hill.
footpath through Hope
Footpath through Hope (outward)
Singpost near Hope

​Up to Losehill

Footpath up Losehill
The lower path up Losehill from Hope
 We’d set off just before midday. It was now 2PM and we were hungry. Penny and I burnt off around 800 calories by now. Time for an energy refill. 

We sat down in the lee of a stone wall to eat our sandwiches and Brunch Bars, plus a couple of cups of tea from our flask. In the sunshine, it’s one of the most wonderful moments when out walking. Just sitting down (on our foam mats from Regatta to keep our backsides dry!) and taking in the peacefulness, the views and the delight of company is priceless. 

After lunch, we headed up the footpath, encountering walkers coming down from Losehill. You quickly stiffen up after a break and it took a while to warm our muscles up again.

On approaching the top, it began to rain, and the number of walkers increased due to its closeness to Mam Tor and car parks. The weather had brought out many people’s waterproof jackets. Some walkers had donned their gaiters, waterproof jackets, trousers, wool hats and backpack covers. 

Given it was about 16℃, albeit with some wind, and it was mainly sunny, I thought some walkers were overdressed! Some were underdressed too. The odd person wore Dunlop Green Flash trainers, or sweatpants (like wearing sponges on your legs).
View from Losehill
Win Hill in the distance looking back from Losehill

​Towards Hollins Cross

​From Losehill, you turn west and head along a ridge towards the next navigation point. In the distance, you can see Mam Tor looming. It’s a highpoint (517 metres above sea level) and attracts many visitors, who’ve walked up from nearby car parks. The route is much busier here, consequently.
​
​But, the views either side of the ridge are wonderful. To the north is the Vale of Edale. To the south, the Hope Valley. In the sunshine we had, it was even more glorious.

A few hundred metres along the track, you approach Black Tor, as set of crags which drop away to the Vale of Edale. It’s worth walking (safely) to the edge and taking in the view. ​

The track follows some rocky steps down and you walk to Hollins Cross, a point marked with a man-made stone circle. ​
Here, you turn south-east and take the left hand path. About 200 metres down here, you turn right towards a farm. It also takes you off the main path and away from the masses. ​

​Into the valley

Along the ridge from Losehill
Along the ridge from Losehill
​From here, as you come off the ridge at Hollins Cross, the Bamford Circular walk becomes a lot easier. You’ve completed the hardest sections of the walk and it eases off into a gentle, undulating walk east along the Hope Valley. 

The footpath ambles through fields, farms and hamlets towards Hope. The first farm you’ll come across is Dunscar Farm. When Penny and I approached it, there was a big marquee set up in a field for a wedding reception. It was in full swing when we passed by. We discreetly walked through the farm, passing the car park and camping field. 

Off to the right, on the hillside you will see the 12th century Peveril Castle at Castleton. It sits above the village and beside a ravine. It’s impressive. 

Another site which you will notice is the cement factory at Hope ahead of you. Aside from Win Hill, the chimney on the factory is visible throughout the walk. On the ridge you can see most of the site from Losehill. It’s the one eyesore of the route. But, it provides local employment, so we can’t grumble too much!
Black Tor, Derbyshire
Black Tor looking from west to east
Hope Valley footpath
The footpath through the Hope Valley (with the cement factory in the background)

​Hope of a pint?

From Dunscar Farm to Hope is about three kilometres. In Hope, the official route takes you into the centre of the village so you can stop for a pint at The Cheshire Cheese Inn.

We decided not to take a break in the pub (it was too warm for an alcoholic drink!) and stopped at bench just above the bridge we had crossed earlier in the day (The route goes back over a short section in Hope) for a cup of tea and a snack. 

When I was plotting the route (using the excellent online Ordnance Survey maps, for which I have an account but you can also use for free), Daniel Nielson suggests following the path over a field to Aston and then following the minor road to Thornhill. 

To avoid walking on tarmac as much as possible, I plotted the route to follow the River Noe to the A6187. Here, you take an immediate left up a lane, follow it under the railway bridge and turn immediately right onto the fields.​

​Back to Bamford

Penny Hawkins near Bamford Mill
Penny on the meadow just before Bamford Mill
From here, the route is a fairly easy stroll through fields (some of which contained frisky bullocks) towards Thornhill. After the hilly first half of the walk, it’s a nice way to finish off the day.

When you near Thornhill the footpath hugs the south side of a small road, which leads to Aston before you have to go out onto it. It’s a few hundred metres from where you join the road and get into Thornhill.

You enter Thornhill and retrace your steps, in part, from the route out earlier in the day, but turn left (north) up Carr Lane. Follow the road until you see a small gate and the footpath sign on your right, just before the road which leads to ‘Carr Bottom’.

Now, you drop down into the floodplain of the Driver Derwent following the footpath across the meadow to Bamford Mill. The Mill is now a set of flats, but it’s lovely nonetheless. You walk over a wooden bridge towards the Mill and below the weir. 

From here, you walk around the north side of the Mill, turn right onto a lane, which leads onto Station Road. It’s about a ten minute walk to the station (where we had parked).
Will Hawkins at Bamford Mill
At Bamford Mill

​Summing Up

​The Bamford Circular Wild Pub Walk is a super walk with good variety. It’s challenging at times, so you need to be reasonably fit to enjoy it. The route takes up some good peaks with glorious views (if the weather is good). It can busy when you reach Losehill and walk towards Mam Tor. 

​Kit Used/Worn

Talus Mens Long Sleeved Round Neck TopTalus Mens Long Sleeved Round Neck Top
Base Layer: Talus Mens Long Sleeved Round Neck Top from Mountain Warehouse - £12.99 (£19.99 SRP). This is brilliant for wicking away sweat, drying out quickly and keeping off the sun.

Berghaus EXTREM 5000Berghaus EXTREM 5000
Waterproof jacket: Berghaus EXTREM 5000 -  A Gore Tex mountaineering jacket, comfortable, breathable, waterproof and has big pockets for storing bits and pieces.

Legs: Crivit running shorts - £5.99 from Lidl. Great for walking (they dry out quickly and are comfortable for physical activities.
Boots: Some old Johnscliffe boots which are not waterproof now but are so comfortable!
MEN'S TWO LAYER BLISTER PROTECTION SOCKS CLOVE OASIS GREENRegatta men's two-layer blister protection socks
Socks: Regatta walking socks and a pair of trainer liners underneath.

Vaude Minimalist 25 BackpackVaude Minimalist 25 Backpack
​Backpack: Vaude Minimalist 25 - super light, but comfortable to wear and sturdy.

Komperdell Carbon Ultralite Vario 4 Trekking Poles (Pair)Komperdell Carbon Ultralite Vario 4 Trekking Poles
Walking Pole(s): Komperdell Carbon Ultralight Vario 4 Walking Stick - Folds down nicely, light and comfortable to walk with. Wouldn’t go without it now.

Mountain Warehouse 2 Litre Hydration Pack - OneMountain Warehouse 2 Litre Hydration Pack
Water container: 2L Mountain Warehouse Hydration Bladder - Now that I have got rid of most of the horrible plastic taste, this is now good.

Thermos ThermoCafe Stainless Steel Flask, 1.0 LThermos ThermoCafe Stainless Steel Flask, 1.0 L
Hot drink container: Thermos 1L flask - Walking without a cup of tea is not the same.

Silva Classic Compass - AW16Silva Classic Compass - AW16
​Navigation: As mentioned, Ordnance Survey OL1 map; Silva Classic Compass - AW16




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