Sunday 1st October 2023 – Tideswell.
Arriving at Tideswell at approximately 10 am, we were met with a dreary outlook and a light drizzle. We headed down the Dale, which was part of the larger Hope Valley area until 1251 when it was granted a royal charter and became a wealthy Dale in its own right, holding 5 fairs a year. We continued along a path with a stream on our right until we reached the pretty Millersdale. Though muddy, it was passable with care. Tea was taken using a few trees for shelter.
We were now in Cressbrook Dale, which had a large woollen mill many years ago, where the owners made a lot of money but treated workers badly, with several children losing their lives. Heading uphill to Ravensdale, where two rows of lead miners’ cottages still exist, we went onwards through a wooded area which, due to the wet conditions, made the going slippery underfoot. Eventually, everyone made it safely through and were greeted with a lovely open bowl Dale with steep hills all around. The only way is up!!
Normally, we would have a break before climbing out, but with the rain falling, we pressed on with the promise of lunch and a pint as the only incentive I had to offer. After a 40-minute break using parasols as umbrellas, we left the lovely village of Litton to walk across several sodden fields to reach a lane, which was the first option back to Ravensdale. We had time to explore before boarding the coach for our return home.
