My Way Around ~ by Sally Mosley

Our start point for this section was Poole’s Cavern, referred to as one of the seven “Wonders of the Peak,” by writer Charles Cotton in 1681.

Heading up through woodland which forms part of Buxton Country Park, I noticed new artwork on the Sculpture Trail that helped me take my mind off the ascent, emerging to the iconic view of Solomon’s Temple atop Grin Low. The current folly is said to be the rebuild of an original structure erected in the early 19th century by Solomon Mycock of Buxton’s Cheshire Cheese Inn.

We turned right to follow the path above Grin Low car park that led me to Ladmanlow, a hamlet established when the former Cromford and High Peak railway line was constructed in 1831. On its route from High Peak Junction to Whaley Bridge the line ascended and descended over a thousand feet in its 33-mile length and the highest point was here.

After crossing the road we followed a footpath along a track then over fields between Anthony Hill and Stanley Reservoir. Now empty, it was evidently constructed on a problematic geological fault straddling limestone and gritstone. The reservoir suffered chronic leaks and was eventually emptied by breaching the dam wall.

Clear signage guided me through the Health and Safety Executive complex. This is said to be the most comprehensive facility in the world dedicated to the investigation and research of health and safety science, employing some 380 scientists, engineers and associated professionals. For over 100 years this HSE site has worked on a wide range of new projects, designs and sciences. However, they also investigate accidents and disasters here including the King’s Cross fire in 1987, Hillsborough in 1989, Hatfield, Great Heck and Potters Bar Rail disasters, the Alton Towers Smiler incident and Didcot Power Station collapse in 2016.

It was very easy to follow the official route through this vast site with lots of cordoned off test areas, eventually emerging onto a quiet lane with cattle grids. For several miles this road acts as the border for the National Park. We turned left, heading along it in the direction of Earl Sterndale.

The road was tranquil and offered amazing scenic views. It is probably bleak up there in winter, fog or rain but this was a warm sunny day and surrounding fields looked green and lush. Wild flowers on the verges were dancing in the gentle breeze that carried blossom to make me sneeze. Bees were buzzing and butterflies fluttered.

Hardly any cars passed me but it might have been a different story had I walked this way on race day at High Edge Raceway that we passed after a mile or so. Banger car and other vehicle races have taken place here since the early 1970’s.

I noticed a footpath on the right leading off to the ridge-topped hill known as High Edge. I could just make out the bunker at its highest point which during World War II formed part of RAF Harpur Hill.

I ignored the first bridlepath on our left but went instead through a second bridle gate further along the lane. From here there were amazing views down into a massive former quarry where the Hillhead 2026 exhibition takes place from June 23–25, 2026.

The bridlepath swept around Hind Low where I stood for a while in awe of the fabulous and distant views toward the Staffordshire Moorlands with strange shaped reef knoll hills in the foreground. The route then descended and we carefully crossed over the B5053 before heading up a track opposite at the start of what I call the Marmite path. To the right is a spectacular panorama of Peak District National Park, whilst to our left and behind a secure high fence is a vast super quarry of epic proportions where it is possible to look into the bowels of Derbyshire’s limestone hills.

Beside the pathway but behind strong fencing I came across two redundant concrete igloo shaped structures which were originally used as boltholes for quarrymen to shelter when blasting took place. I then took a footpath on the right to Earl Sterndale, descending steeply to Jericho before walking into the heart of the village.

Sally Mosley

FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: The other day mummy called me her little ‘tick-head’. I had woken her up as usual with a nice slurpy kiss and snuggle. She fussed me back but then suddenly jumped out of bed making icky noises. How was I to know I’d brought a little friend home for bed and breakfast? It was stuck on my face like a little baked bean so out came the ‘tick picker’ gadget and my parasitic buddy was evicted! I’m just full of surprises don’t you know! xx