8:00 start with 17:30 return
Eyam (pronounced eem) is a beautiful village in the Peak District. This is lovely, varied walking country, with steepsided, limestone dales, gritstone moors and edges, and pretty villages, but with plenty of evidence of quarrying and mining from a more industrial past.
Eyam is most famous for being the “Plague Village” as when the Black Death reached the village in 1665, the villagers isolated themselves to avoid it spreading to the surrounding areas. For those with the time and energy, there are many plague related sites in and around the village and a museum (last entry 3.30pm).
Perhaps more importantly to tired, thirsty walkers there is a pub in the village, The Miner’s Arms, and several possible sources of tea and cake (some of which close at 4pm).
Note: Tickets for the Autumn Social Event will be available on the coach. See next post (below) for more information.
A Walk - Dales, More Dales & Silly Dale with Dave Colbert 13 miles / 21 km with 1250 ft / 380 m Total Ascent
What’s in a name? Our hike today starts on the A623 at the small settlement of Peak Forest (no peaks, no forests) and heads south-eastwards to Dam Dale (no water), continuing into the increasingly impressive limestone canyon of Hay Dale and Peter Dale (who he?), and so to Monk’s Dale and Miller’s Dale.
Extensive, forensic research by Dr Bente Kanin-Vakmester from Tromso University led him to speculate that the well-known medieval stravaiger Geoffrey Chaucer got lost hereabouts on his infamous pilgrimage from London to Canterbury, and that in these latter two dales a couple of his raucous tales were first recited (read the Miller’s Tale if you dare). Apparently, Chaucer was notorious for navigational clangers as he didn’t know how to use his GPS device. This is absolute nonsense according to Professor Bewaldeth from the University of Snittlegarth, who claims Miller’s Dale was probably a sanctuary for one particular resident of Camberwick Green fleeing the endless feuds between Trumpton and Chigley.
The Monsal Trail (previously the Midland Railway main line from Manchester to London) facilitates our passage of Miller’s Dale through Litton Tunnel (516yds) and Cressbrook Tunnel (471yds). Leaving the Trail at Upperdale, it’s now a long but gradual climb northwards through Cressbrook Dale (otherwise known as Glen Cabbage) to reach Wardlow Mires (no bogs) and Silly Dale. We then head to Eyam by way of Foolow, but please beware the dreaded lurgy when we get there, or would that be the perygl (Pogle in old English).
B+ Walk - Mandarins and Mallards with Meriel Nutter9
miles / 14.5 km with 900 ft / 275 m Total Ascent
I did a version of this walk early April 2025 but hopefully both will still be around if you keep your eyes open, clue - by the river!
From Eyam, toilets in car park, south and east down through village taking road, track, then path south west near pub. Up and over The Cliff (not hard) down to Stoney Middleton and its interesting octagonal church. Depending on services we may be able to have a quick peek inside. Passing church take path east to Knouchley Farm and down to River Derwent. Follow Derwent Valley Heritage Trail north along river to the bridge at Grindleford. Find the tricky little paths that cut out the busy junction and steep blind bend, joining Sir William Hill Road going north west to road on right. (We could continue up the road here.) *Turn down the road to join path up to Eyam Moor at Leam. Follow path south then turn west to go up to stone circle and Stanage continuing south west to trig point near Sir William Hill. From here roads and paths back to Eyam will depend on time and weather but hopefully we can have a look at Mompessons Well.
B Walk - Follow us to Foolow and Beyond with Stuart Arnold9 miles / 14.5 km with 1000 ft / 300 m Total Ascent
Walking out of Eyam we take Tideswell lane and follow the footpath on the RHS which leads to Foolow.
We walk through the village and take the path to Stanley House and Wardlow Mires.
Now we start a steady climb to pass Peter's Stone and then drop down to Wardlow.
Out of Wardlow we take the path towards White Rake and then join Black Harry Lane to pass round the lake at Blakedon Hollow to Black Harry Gate. (I hope the gate is open!)
We carry on down the lane which leads us past Hawkenedge Well and then onto the road through Eyam Dale back into Eyam.
C Walk - Eyam Circular with Barbara Malloy and Sylvia Rymer
5
miles / 8.86 km with 570 ft / 175 m Total Ascent
We can learn something of the history of Eyam on this walk.From the coach park (toilets!) we walk down to Main /Church Road and turn left into the village. We will pass the Jacobean Eyam Hall, the village stocks, plague cottages and the medieval St Lawrence’s Church where villagers bravely quarantined themselves to stop the spread of disease. At the village green we take a right turn at Lydgate to Stoney Middleton on a pleasant undulating path, passing a plague grave and a boundary stone.
On reaching Stoney Middleton, we turn right along a cottage lined street to St Martin’s, an octagonal 15th century church. There are seats here and we can stop for lunch. Leaving the church, we turn right into the lane housing the ‘Roman Baths’! We continue to the end and take the left-hand fork climbing steeply but steadily up ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ for about half an hour to New Road and then upwards to Top Riley. From there we continue along the lane, passing the Riley Graves (NT) and downhill back to Eyam.
