Shatton via Hathersage and Bamford
Time Taken: 2 ½ hours
Shatton is a sleepy little hamlet lying off the road that leads from Hope to Hathersage. This walk starts at the bridge in Shatton amongst the collection of pretty little cottages that line its main lane. It offers a great starting point for a walk that takes in a mixture of grassland, moorland, village lanes and stunning scenic backdrops as you travel through Bamford and on into Hathersage. Outgoing the large natural edifice of Standage Edge will be exposed and on your return there is the prospect of great views out towards Win Hill and Mam Tor. This walk is great with friends and dogs as there are so many stunning views to enjoy and discuss and for canine contentment there are also lots of interesting sniffs to keep doggy friends happy too. It is worth mentioning though that as you are walking over plenty of farm land however, please be wary of farm animals grazing and keep your doggy companion on the lead where necessary.
To start the walk, taking the lane back out to the main road you need to cross, carefully as it can be busy and follow the road round on the path, passed the Garden Centre and over the Bamford Bridge onto the little path down to the left of the bridge after crossing this will lead you . At Sickleholme Service Station take a left at the traffic lights and continue up towards Bamford railway station and Saltergate Lane.
With the Sicklehome golf course on the right climb until you reach a road sign with a stile on the fence on the right hand side giving entry to the outskirts of golf course and greens. Over the stile, continue to walk uphill by the fence until you reach the top corner of the “field” where there is another stile which opens to Hurstclough Lane. Turn right over the stile and follow the lane as it ascends.
When Hurstclough Lane develops into a fork take the path to the right until it starts to narrow and drop down into its base, which in wet weather can get quite muddy. As the path starts to ascend again, there is a footpath sign offering a path to the right. Access the gate and climb up through the trees and then fields, keeping left. If you continue along the lane for this section, you will reach the same point but I always think mud underfoot is better, where possible and I know the dogs prefer it. Also on this section it does not offer the same quality of views, so the route through the gates is my preference allowing me to make the most of the Peak Districts stunning vistas.
When you finally get back onto Hurstclough Lane for a short section it is only a short stretch before you need to transfer onto a nearby bridleway on the right and back into the field, via a gate on the right. Walking up the field, keeping left, you again get back to Hurstclough Lane near the Nether Hurst Farm drive way and you then need to continue uphill where you will see some stone cottages ahead. Take the stile just before the cottages to their left.
Keeping the cottages to your right, walk up the field towards a stile leading up towards Upper Hurst Farm. Turn right in front of this farm and continue across the field to a stone stile in the top right hand corner. Take a route across the field to the right and head towards the gate in the corner, opposite, by the stone buildings. Then cross over the lane and take the footpath that will take you to a driveway toward Outlane with the stone properties that reside with it. Traverse the cattle grid and continue to the valley floor which offers a great opportunity to take in some more wonderful views over Stanage Edge with the accompanying tumbling Peak District hills to all sides.
Follow the lane to the left passing Green’s House and go through the large gate that takes you onto a grassy track between stone walls until you reach the gate at the end. Go through the gate and walk across the field to the right and down to the stile at the bottom. Passing through another stile you will enter into wooded area reaching a stream with stepping stones that are to be crossed – if you are lucky to be doing this walk on a sunny day please allow yourself time to enjoy time in the section as the open space lends itself to a snack break or light picnic. It also lends itself to a great watering hole for the dogs allowing them play in the cool waters.
Proceeding when you are ready, you need to climb up the valley ahead along the path until you reach the second large gate that leads to another footpath. From here you will be offered views of Stanage Edge on your left. Continue along the path, downhill, and then down the drive until you reach North Lees camp site, on the left. Just passed the camp site you will find another footpath to follow having crossed the stepped stile and, keeping the approaching farm buildings to your left, go through the gate following the path off to the left.
Brookfield Manor inhabits the valley base, ahead, but just continue through the gates and fields using the right hand fork of the path as it splits and proceed downhill, across the stream until you reach the outer reaches of Hathersage. Continue down the lane passed the Scotsman’s’ Pack pub, and turn right at the road junction, taking you down the main village road passed the shops until you get to the Junction with the George Hotel on your right.
At the George Hotel carefully cross over the road and head off in the direction of Grindleford, though take Mill Lane just before that Little John Pub. Follow the lane down with the stream on your right and pass under the viaduct and take the footpath off the lane that leads you passed Nether Hall. Enter the gate signposted for Leadmill Bridge and walk into the fields that head straight forward making sure that you take in Millstone Edge off to your left, which is a rock outcrop of some drama and beauty. Make sure whilst looking at this view that you don’t miss the stile in the wall, ahead and after this refrain from crossing the road but turn right over the bridge towards the Plough Inn pub on the Grindleford Road. Turn immediately right on the path marked for Shatton and follow the river on a lovely meandering stroll back to the sleepy hamlet of Shatton and its bridge, which formed the starting point for this Peak District doggy adventure.
If you did stop off at vantage points along the way, you may not be in need of sustenance but should you need libation there are plenty of stop off points to check out nearby, in Hope, Bamford or Bradwell. All are generally muddy boot and dog friendly and will be happy to supply food and drink to the weary Peak District Traveller.