It snowed overnight.
Not so much as to blanket everything, but enough to settle on the parked cars around the little duck pond; and enough to make the footpath very slippery indeed – as I found out trying to take a photo of the church. It had mostly melted by the time we were ready to head out, but we were still excited by it. It’s the little things.
Images of Foolow
With just one full day in the Peak District, today was about seeing as much as we possibly could – and to do that we couldn’t just ramble, we needed a plan that would see us ticking off some of the best and most accessible of the views. We needed an itinerary.
While there are some great walks through the dales, we didn’t have the time or available daylight hours to do them. Instead it was about sights and viewpoints we could drive to.
Spoiler alert: this part of Derbyshire is wildly beautiful. We will be back – and next time will stay for a proper look.
Monsal Head
First up was Monsal Head. From here we could see down the valley to the River Wye and the Headstone Viaduct.
Further down the valley are holiday cottages belonging to the Chatsworth Estate – speaking of which, I really wanted to visit, but, well, time. Plus, with an admission cost of £25 each, Sarah and Grant were very meh about the whole thing and not at all impressed about the Jane Austen Pemberley connection. Heavy sighs.
Ashford In The Water
This little village boasts what is one of the most photographed bridges in England, Sheepwash Bridge. Sadly today the weather was against us.
While Sheepwash Bridge originally got its name as being where farmers would…wait for it…wash their sheep, it’s also one of the best bridges for playing Pooh Sticks – where you drop a stick over the edge and then run to the other side to watch it come through.
The current was running so fast it was hilarious to watch ducks get into the current and zoom through under the bridge and out the other side.
This is a cute little village – especially with the snow starting to fall again.
Curbar Edge
After morning tea in Bakewell (I told you about that the other day) we headed a little south to Curbar Edge for some simply spectacular views. This spot is the starting point for a number of serious walks – the type of hikes that require proper waterproof kit, proper boots, proper fitness, and ordinance maps and compasses.
Luckily the skies cleared just in time for us to capture the views.
Tideswell
Tideswell’s main claim to fame is The Cathedral of The Peak – an Anglican church which although not really a cathedral is huge and quite splendid.
The village itself is typical of this part of the country with narrow streets that were, on this Saturday a couple of weeks before Christmas, super busy.
Not far out of town is another park which is the start of, amongst other walks, the start of a 7.5 mile circular walk that brings you to Monsal, the view we saw earlier.
At the entrance to the carpark was this really cool carved tree that was part of a short sculpture walk.
Castleton
We drove through some truly awesome scenery to Mam Nick just outside Castleton. From here there is a “steep-ish” walk up to the top for views across Mam Tor and across the Hope Valley. It was now quite snowy and the path was very slippery so we headed back into town for lunch.
The Mountain Dog Rescue were holding a loose change fundraising thingie so of course we stopped to talk to the dogs – or rather, the men about the dogs. Most of the rescue dogs are spaniels because of their intelligence and their sense of smell – which is, the sense of smell, that is, second only to bloodhounds.
They told us that it takes a couple of years to train each dog with the handler paying all food and board over that period of time. Once the dog is retired it stays with its handler for the rest of its life.
It was a tad sobering to realise that the weather changes so frequently and dramatically up here and that these peaks are such that mountain rescue dogs are frequently called in to work. #potentialstoryidea
Castleton was super busy with most pubs in town booked out. We had lunch at The Castle. Given that we’d had morning tea in Bakewell, we all went for starters. I had a fabulous baked mushroom dish done in a cheesey-garlic sauce with rustic bread for dipping.
Bretton
Just a couple of miles out of Foolow is the Barrel in at Bretton. Actually, there’s nothing much else in Bretton other than the Barrel Inn – which has this view. Remarkable, isn’t it?
Dating back to 1597, the Inn is the highest pub in Derbyshire. Apparently on a fine day you can see across five counties from here.
Where we stayed
Tudor Cottage, Foolow
Our cottage is super-cute and cozy. It’s small but comfortable and absolutely spotless. It’s also just one cottage away from a very good pub.
Next time: We’re off to London…
And Anyways... 
Hi, Jo – When it snows on the island, that’s the kind of snow that we tend to get as well. Loved your pics — especially the sculpture walk. And the baked mushrooms. You know me and food pics! 😀
Those mushrooms were memorable. We would have loved to be there when proper snow came down, but then, I suppose, we wouldn’t have been able to get around so well.
Lovely photographs. I live a 15 minute drive from Curbar Edge, love it there, one of my favourite places to go and sit in the summer 😊
Oh wow! That whole area is so incredibly jaw-droppingly beautiful. Thanks for dropping by.
I love your photos! I have never been to this area, but it is one I would love to see. I would go to “Pemberly” with you but I know my husband and daughters would be “meh” about it. However, for everything you miss seeing you get to see something else!
Absolutely!
Wow, Joanne, The photos are breathtaking, stunning, fascinating, beautiful…….I do not truly have the words to do them justice. You know a great deal more about photography than I do, although I think grey days make for better photos? Even though the weather was against you. I had to smile on picturing the ducks zooming by.
My heart skipped a beat on the mushroom, cheesy-garlic dish. This is definitely under the category of a trip of a lifetime! Thank you for sharing.
Grey days do make for better photos – a flatter more even light…closer to that 18% grey point.
This was a beautiful post Jo and your photos tell the story so well, along with your words of course! That carving is amazing and the countryside makes me year to be back there. Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us #mlstl
Thanks Deb. We were there only as a booking accident and I so want to go back to explore properly.
The countryside and views are gorgeous Jo – and I loved the little village nestled in amongst the hills. I might also add that I didn’t know Pooh Sticks actually had a name – so you’ve educated me there as well (it’s been a long time since I dropped a stick off a bridge!)
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
Ha! There’s another one for the useless book of knowledge.
Hi Jo, I loved ‘taking the tour’ with you. The photos were absolutely stunning. And, now I’ll know exactly where to go when I need to wash my sheep. 🙂
Thank you Jo for another great series of photos. I can’t tell you how happy and peaceful looking at these scenes made me feel this morning. Mother Nature is so impressive, and you have a wonderful talent for capturing her beauty. Thanks for sharing that with us. #MLSTL
Awww thanks… have a lovely weekend.
Such a beautiful area and stunning photos, Jo. The baked mushroom dish looks delicious and perfect for cool weather. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. #MLSTL
The area is so wildly beautiful. I’d love to go back some day and do some of teh walks.
Hi Jo! I want to go back!!!! I visited this area just over 30 years ago and it was amazing. I love rural England and the baked mushrooms look so tempting. I am enjoying your travels and thank you for sharing at #MLSTL. I think my Anglo/Saxon background is calling me ‘home’. xx
We really want to go back and spend longer in the area.
These posts you’re putting up on England are going to come in very handy for my travels in a few months. Thank you muchly. Shared.
You’re welcome…
That stone wall!!! Gorj
Xoxo
It all looks so cute and cozy! I’m so very over summer so thinking of cold places is a nice idea right now.
After dealing with the humidity this week I want to be back there!
What stunning pics! Every time I read your UK posts, I’m reminded of how little I have explored the motherland and how long my list of things to eat, see and do is! I love how your accommodation was so strategically placed (almost) next to the pub!
I took Grant’s request for the pub to be within walking distance literally lol.