|
|
Print-friendly version
TIDESWELL DALE – LITTON MILL – CRESSBROOK MILL – RAVENSDALE COTTAGES – CRESSBROOK DALE – TANSLEY DALE – TIDESWELL DALE
TIDESWELL DALE – LITTON MILL – CRESSBROOK MILL – RAVENSDALE COTTAGES – CRESSBROOK DALE – TANSLEY DALE – TIDESWELL DALE
DISTANCE: Approximately 6 miles
This walk is superb in the spring and summer when the area is packed with wild flowers and birds – be sure to bring along your reference books!
From the hilltops you will descend into the heart of the Peak District countryside, walking through one of the most beautiful and scenic of the Derbyshire Dales. The path leading between Litton Mill and Cressbrook Mill and beside the dark waters of the River Wye is superb, with the rich green foliage and hanging creepers around Litton Mill bringing beauty to an area which at one time was a place of exploitation, abuse and child slavery.
It is said that the location for Litton Mill was chosen not only because of the source of water to power it, but also the isolation. Situated miles from a large town meant that unfavourable working conditions within the mill would hopefully go unnoticed and the workers were away from the urban workforce where industrial riots were frequent.
The walk mainly follows paths and tracks with little stretches by the side of quiet country lanes. You will cross numerous stiles and several fields containing livestock so it is essential that any dogs are kept under control.
Start the walk in the pay and display car park in Tideswell Dale and descend the path to Litton Mill by walking past the public toilets. At one point you will be able to see Ravenstor Youth Hostel up on a limestone bluff to the right of the path.
When you reach a road at the bottom of the path at an area once known as Tongue End, turn left and walk the short distance to Litton Mill. Walk straight through the mill complex which in recent years has been converted into luxury flats. Trapped in the deepest depths of Millers Dale, accompanied by its rows of mill workers cottages, Litton Mill presents an imposing sight.
Litton Mill was notorious in its early days for cruelty, torture and a high rate in apprentice mortality. It is reputed that burials were made at several locations in an attempt to cover up the number of deaths. Ellis Needham was a mill owner or factory master with the worst reputation. He established the early mill in 1782 and together with his partner Thomas Firth, attempted to sell the premises in 1786. Their advertisement stated ‘well supplied by hands from the neighbouring villages at low wages’. When the mill failed to sell, Needham took to apprenticing Parish orphans and paupers, some of whom were brought from London or other large cities. They worked long hours with poor food in bad conditions and were beaten and abused. In 1815 Needham was declared bankrupt so ironically his cost-cutting measures did not pay off. The mill was then taken over by a succession of owners, one of whom was Henry Newton (son of William Newton).
By 1857 there were 400 employees at Litton Mill. As with many of the mills, fire struck at Litton and new buildings had to be constructed. In 1934 the mill was bought by Anglo-French Silk Mills Limited and produced artificial silk and man-made fibres. In 1963 it changed hands and then manufactured textured yards before its eventual closure towards the end of the 20th century.
Walk along the path by the side of the meandering River Wye beyond Litton Mill and you will eventually come to an area where there is a vast expanse of water beside grey streaked limestone rock faces, popular with climbers. This is the strangely named Water-Cum-Jolly. Before the war this concessionary footpath was only open during certain hours, and a toll of sixpence was charged which went to support local hospitals.
Just before Cressbrook Mill you will pass the strange castle-shaped folly which was originally built to house the apprentices to the mill and is now a ‘brew stop’ offering light refreshments.
Continue along the path behind Cressbrook Mill to the road. Over the road the waters of Cress Brook passed through a man-made pool before joining forces with the river Wye. The water would have fed the waterwheel of the first mill to be built close by.
John Baker who was a hosier and entrepreneur, developed this site in the 18th century. He constructed a distillery for peppermint, lavender and other aromatic herbs which he grew or found locally. He erected the first mill building around 1785, this however was destroyed by fire. A new mill was constructed and taken over by Richard Arkwright. Arkwright died in 1792 and the mill changed hands yet again. In 1815 the impressive 12-bay Georgian building was erected by William Newton (father of Henry Newton mentioned earlier). Newton was a self-educated poet that befriended Anna Seward of Eyam fame who gave him the title of ‘Minstrel of the Peak’. He is buried at Tideswell Church.
Cressbrook Mill had two waterwheels using water from the Wye which was specially dammed but in 1890 water turbines were installed. Cotton doubling was still in operation at Cressbrook Mill until 1965, after that the mill was used for a time by a firm manufacturing nylon yarns. After its closure and for many years the buildings fell into a derelict state before being restored and converted into residential use.
Turn left and follow the lower of two roads which climb up the steep hill with the village of Cressbrook almost hidden to your left. There are some attractive cottages built in an almost Swiss style which give a sylvan beauty to the surrounding woodland. Years ago the woods were harvested for their crop of Lilies of the Valley which were transported and sold at Manchester markets.
Turn right down the little road to Ravensdale where you suddenly come upon two rows of tiny cottages which must be among the quaintest in Derbyshire.
Follow the path up through the woods and pass over a little footbridge before shortly afterwards taking the path on the left at a junction and following the brook and wall side through the rich woodland before emerging onto a grassy stretch of Cressbrook Dale.
Walk up the dale and pass a footpath heading steeply up the bank on your right. A little further on you will cross over a stile on your left and head up Tansley Dale. Be sure to look behind you as you ascend the grassy bank to see a strange rock formation further up Cressbrook Dale which is known as the Peter Stone or Gibbet Rock. The name Peter Stone probably derived from the rocks similarity to the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, whilst Gibbet Rock has more grisly connotations associated with Anthony Linguard who in the 19th century was found guilty of murdering Hannah Oliver of Wardlow. He was hung in chains from a gibbet on the rock.
At the top of Tansley Dale there are spoil heaps and the remains from old lead mine workings. Now follow the path around to the right and cross fields and stiles until you emerge onto a rough track which runs parallel with the main road through Litton.
Walk along the track until you come to a corner. Go straight ahead along the road for a short stretch then pass through a stile in front of you and cross further fields and stile. At one point you will pass over a little lane before dropping down a grassy bank to emerge onto the road down Litton Dale.
Turn left and walk along the pavement by the side of the road. When you come to the junction with the Tideswell road turn left and go through a little gate into the field on your left. Now follow the concessionary path by the side of the wall which eventually takes you back to the car park.
|
|
