High Peak - Goyt Valley - Buxton

Approaching the Derbyshire Peak District from the North West (Manchester) through either Glossop or Marple on the Monks Road from Charlesworth the Abbott's Chair is passed en-route to Hayfield. The Abbot's Chair just a few miles south of Glossop is a large square stone set back from the road, it has a large recess which produces a chair formation.

Believed to be the base socket for a cross. its linked to the 14th Century Monks who drove sheep down Monks Road to the Peak. The road south through Hayfield is on the west flank of High Peak to Chapel-en-le-Frith which is below Kinder Scout the highest Peak in Derbyshire.

The town of gritstone houses has Norman origins, it's name meaning 'Chapel in the Forest Clearing' the which was built in 1225 and dedicated to Thomas Becket. There is nothing of the original left but in the cobbled stoned market place is a cross and stocks dating from the 17th Century.

Continuing in a southerly direction to Buxton where the mineral springs produces an abundance of warm water from the depths below. The Romans settled here believing the water had therapeutic qualities and in the 18th Century William Cavendish modernised the town into a Spa to rival Bath City as a resort. Hence the architecture of the town including the Octagonal Concert Hall and Opera House which has elaborate painted ceiling.

Driving from Buxton in a south westerly direction turn left to Derbyshire Bridge, at the start of the deep wooded Goyt Valley which is approximately four miles long. The road from The Street to Derbyshire Bridge is often closed to cars, when Mini Buses run between the car parks at either end.

This make the valley a pleasure to explore on foot or by cycle with plenty faculties to assist the wanderer, at the reservoirs and old packhorse bridge plus the house and grounds of Errwood Hall.

Leaving the valley by The Street a road to transport salt, the Jenkin Chapel is passed which was built in 1733 it resembles a domestic dwelling rather than a place of worship.

Photos and Maps are to follow