Sunday 5th July 2026 – Monsal Head to Bakewell
The date was 5th July 2026 when 26 walkers and non-walkers set off from Doncaster on what is usually a straightforward day out.
We got on the M1 only to find that it was closed further down. Our driver, Steve, came off the motorway to find another route to Chesterfield. Having found a way round, we turned up at Baslow only to find the toilets closed. There was, I believe, a sparrowhawk on the ground having its breakfast.
We dropped off the non-walkers in Bakewell and proceeded to Monsal Head for the start of the walk. The weather was a bit cold and the wind didn’t help. Sixteen walkers descended a very narrow path down to the River Wye, crossing the bridge before turning left to follow the river until we came to the A6.
The weather started to warm up and became quite close as we crossed the road into the car park. Turning right, we started the gradual climb to our coffee stop, which unfortunately had a few head of cattle in our way, one of which refused to move. Not to worry, I had a backup plan, but that also had cows milling about. We managed to sit out of their way.
The climb started to get a bit harder as we traversed a steep, rocky slope. After that, it was a nice easy walk into Ashford-in-the-Water for lunch in the park and a well-deserved pint in the Bull’s Head.
It was then a pleasant walk along the river into Bakewell, with enough time for coffee and toasted teacake before catching the coach home.
Oh yes, these things come in threes (or was it six in our case?). The coach was stuck in traffic in Chesterfield and again on the M18, meaning we got back later than we normally would.
