Pomeroy

Pomeroy is a small hamlet on the A515 – the Buxton-to-Ashbourne Road.  It is at an altitude of 375 metres above sea level, which, as they might say in these parts, is “a tidy way up”.  The landscape is typical of the limestone plateau in The White Peak – exclusively green fields, bounded by dry-stone walls for as far as the eye can see, with the odd conical hilltop, sometimes crowned with a clump of trees.  The undulating landscape descends on the Eastern side towards the picturesque villages of Monyash, Flagg and Chelmorton;  to the West is the beautiful valley of the Dove, with its spectacular limestone hills of Parkhouse, Chrome and High Wheeldon and the pretty villages or hamlets of Crowdecote, Longnor, Glutton Bridge and Earl Sterndale.

While the small terrace of houses at Pomeroy was built in the 19th century to serve the nearby quarrying industry, the oldest building is The Duke of York public house, which continues to serve good food and fine ales, just as it has done for centuries. Fans of Robinson’s Ales, the renowned Stockport brewery, will be delighted to know that this is one their establishments; the pub is now under new management.  The Duke of York is also a helipad for pleasure flights over the Peak District, by appointment only.

A short walk from The Duke of York, across the A515, a footpath brings you to The High Peak Trail – a beautifully created cycle and walkway, constructed on the old railway line once linking Buxton with the South.  A really easy way to enjoy some wonderful Peak District scenery, botanists will adore the flora to be found along its cuttings and embankments and the bird-watching can be interesting also.

Annually, the major event on the Pomeroy calendar is Flagg Races.  A slight misnomer, as these point-to-point races start and finish at Pomeroy, though the course does take the horses as far as Flagg village.  The grandstand must be unique in the country in being a stepped and entirely natural outcrop of limestone, just off the appropriately named Stonebench Lane.  The races have been held here on Flagg Moor, as the area is known, since 1892 and usually take place on the Tuesday after Easter, attracting crowds from far across the Peak District.  They are organised by the High Peak Hunt.

The historic spa town of Buxton is only ten minutes drive to the North, with a multitude of attractions, shops and a major arts festival in July.

Pomeroy Camping Park, at Street House Farm offers accommodation for campers and caravans, while there are numerous bed and breakfast possibilities on farms all around the district.

Other great local pubs serving good food can be found in Monyash, Chelmorton and Crowdecote, all within a healthy walk’s compass of a few miles; The Bull i’ th’ Thorn, just along the A515 towards Ashbourne, and the Royal Oak on the High Peak Trail at Sparklow, are both closer still.  In fact the area has something of a reputation for great “pub grub”, locally-sourced and home-cooked, (as is the policy at The Duke of York).

The nearest shop is actually an enormous discount bookshop, (largest in the country) at Brierlow Bar and well worth a visit; they also serve tea, coffee and cakes, so it is the kind of place to spend a relaxing few hours browsing and reading; there is even a small indoor play area for the kids, amongst a great selection of children’s books.

While Buxton’s stores are easily accessible, the small town-like village of Longnor, just across the Dove Valley to the West, has some great local shops for all your immediate needs and is incredibly picturesque to boot.  What’s more, parking is free!  The drive, cycle or long walk to get there would be hard to beat for scenic value.