Parallel Activities

It is a positive feature of CLOG away breaks that there are generally a number of parallel activities. This accords with the tried and tested CLOG philosophy of "multi-activity away breaks". So, on our away break in Hartington, while our walks were an important focus, we also had a large cycling "contingent" who enjoyed the many cycling trails which are a feature of this area. Our busy leisure schedules also included some sightseeing activities to provide that cultural dimension. All this and cloud-free skies! What more could we ask for!

Off to Dovedale.

There were 23 on our away-break and there was plenty of variety on offer. Indeed, it is likely that there were yet more parallel activities, but you see here the activities of which I am immediately aware. They give a flavour of what we did. The links are to more detailed descriptions are mainly for the activities in which I was directly involved - leading or participating.

We Arrive on Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday, we descended on Hartington. Some by train and bus. Some by car. We arrived at different times, but the early birds had time to familiarize themselves with the historic village that is Hartington.

• We Arrive! (Link)   On our arrival, some of us had look around Hartington, an historic village presided over by the even more historic church of Saint Giles. We were staying in the 17th century Hartington Hall, from whose doorstep we had ready access to the network of footpaths. The Cycling trails were also in easy reach. We were greeted by good weather, an excellent start to our away break.

Good Friday

Dovedale.

On our first full day in Hartington we decided that it was time for some exercise! For walkers, it was nearby Dovedale, one of the famous scenic delights in Derbyshire, that was on the plan for the day. Those of a cycling persuasion visited the Tissington Trail.

• Walk: Dovedale (Link)   For us walkers, our route led through the verdant Dovedale via the picturesque village of Alstonefield with its "George" pub (I, II, III or IV - we never found out!) was on our schedule. We put back about 11⅓ miles (18⅕ Km) beneath our feet. Eric was the nominal walk leader, but in spite of this, the group successfully got back to base in the evening!


• Cycling: Tissington Trail   Melissa led a cycling foray along the Tissington Trail as far as Ashbourne and Tissington itself.


• Our Evening   Many of us enjoyed the nice evening meals provided at our hostel. Those with specific dietary preferences, availed themselves of the good "DIY" kitchen facilities at the hostel.

Easter Saturday

On the way to Pilsbury Castle.

On Saturday, our activities included a walk along the hill tops to Pilsbury Castle and Sheen. Melissa led her cycling party along the High-Peak Trail. Salim led a sightseeing group to Tissington and the ever-attractive spa town of Buxton.

• Walk: Pilsbury & Sheen (Link)   Today's walk led past Hartington's interesting parish church of Saint Giles, which was well worth a visit. From there we struck out north across the hill tops, with good views all round, to Pilsbury Castle (rems of) and to the village of Sheen. Here we stopped a while at the "Staffordshire Knot". We had crossed the River Dove from Derbyshire to Staffordshire, much to Julie's delight! We put back about 11⅓ miles (18⅕ Km) beneath our feet. We put back about 7⅓ miles (almost 12 Km) beneath our feet. Once again, Eric was the nominal walk leader, and once again, in spite of this, the group successfully got back to base in the evening!


• Cycling: Tissington Trail   Melissa led a cycling foray along the High Peak Trail, although an unsafe bridge required some interesting detours - all in a day's work!


• Sightseeing: Tissington & Buxton   Making judicious use of the 442 bus, Salim led a sightseeing group to Tissington and the attractive spa town of Buxton - Derbyshire's answer to Bath.


• Our Evening   Many of us enjoyed a nice evening meal at Sheen's "Staffordshire Knot", the pub we had visited earlier in the day on our Pilsbury walk. (Thanks, Paul and Nigel for the evening car lifts.) Others dined at the hostel, availing themselves of either the hostel's nice menu, or of the hostel's good "DIY" kitchen facilities.

Easter Sunday

A London Feltham tram at Crich.

On Easter Sunday, some of us enjoyed a repeat walk to Pilsbury Castle. Cyclists enjoyed the Manifold Way. One sightseeing group visited Crich and Cromford. Another group went to Buxton. In the evening we enjoyed our communal evening meal at the Hartington's upmarket "Charles Cotton" hotel.

• Walk: Pilsbury & Castle   Sunday's walk was similar to the previous day's walk but avoided the church. The walk was led by Andy.


• Cycling: Manifold Way   Melissa led a cycling trip which included the Manifold Way.


• Sightseeing: Crich & Cromford (Link)   The 40s celebrations at Crich's famous tram museum provided the focus for an interesting Easter Sunday visit. We visited Arkwright's Cromford Mill in the afternoon, although unfortunately we found that aspects on interest had closed very early. (thanks Paul and Nigel for the car lifts!)


• Sightseeing: Buxton   Buxton was definitely a popular destination. There were no buses on Easter Sunday, so some of us made a car trip to the spa town. Once at Buxton our visitors admired the 18th and early 19th architecture. They also made a short walk to the monument on a hill to the south of Buxton, to enjoy the exercise and the view back over the town. Buxton, as a spa town, dates back to Roman times, but came to prominence in the 18th century.


• Our Evening Communal Meal   Many of us enjoyed an evening meal at Hartington's upmarket "Charles Cotton" hotel. (Thanks, Paul for organizing this.)

Monday April 22

Illam Rock in Dovedale.

On our last full day, we had the option of three walks taking in, as appropriate, Illam's "Compleat Angler" Hotel at the southern end of Dovedale and Pilsbury Castle to the north of Hartington. Yet again, Buxton proved to be a sightseeing attraction. In the evening we ate at the hostel.

• Walk: Illam Circular   Nigel and Melissa arranged a circular walk which took in the southern part of Dovedale, Hall Dale and Stanshope and, later in the day, ago at the Stepping Stones at the southern end of Dovedale.


• Walk: Illam to Hartington (Link)   At Ilam Rock, Eric said goodbye to Melissa and Nigel, and walked to Hartington via the Dove Holes, Milldale, Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale. This walk of about 9 miles (14½ Km) nicely filled in some "gaps" in Friday's Dovedale walk.


• Walk: Pilsbury & Castle   Saturday's walk was evidently very popular and some repeated it, showing it to those who had not already done it.


• Sightseeing: Buxton   Buxton was definitely a popular destination. This was the third visit in as many days. There were no buses on Easter Monday, so once again, some of us made a car trip to the spa town.


• Our Evening.   On our last evening we ate at the hostel, either in "hostel provider" mode or in DIY mode, as on Thursday and Friday nights.

Additional Activities: April 23 and 24

Chatsworth House.

Staying on a while had its rewards. I wanted to visit Peak Rail and, of course, Chatsworth House. Having come this far, it would be a pity to miss this opportunity by rushing back home immediately. I therefore stayed in Matlock for a further two days. The weather was good on Tuesday and reasonable on Wednesday.

• Sightseeing: Peak Rail (April 23) (Link) This heritage line is part of the old scenic Midland main line from London's Saint Pancras to Manchester. Steam engines and restored vintage carriages feature on the 4½ mile line between Matlock and Rowsley.


• Sightseeing: Chatsworth House (April 24) (Link) This is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Devonshire and has a history going back to at least Bess of Hardwick Hall. It is England's premier tourist attraction, and deservedly so for those that appreciate history, art and culture!


• Goodbye (April 25) (Link) Before I left, I had a last look around and took a few more pictures. The connection to St. Pancras via Derby was good. It was a good conclusion to some good days away.

Summing Up

So, as you can see, there was plenty to do! We generally had quite good weather and there was never a dull moment. We all had a good time! That's how we like CLOG away breaks!