Padley Gorge and Longshaw Estate

Yesterday (Sunday) I decided I wanted to visit somewhere new in the Peak District. I decided to get off the train at Grindleford and, after some delays, got there at about quarter to eleven. I had written out precise instructions telling me how to get to the Longshaw Estate, however the way was quite clearly signposted most of the way.

The woods are amazing; even the rocks are alive, growing with mosses and lichens and tussocks of grass. 

Padley Gorge

Growing rocks

You could almost be in another world; the green was so beautiful and refreshing. A bit of birdwatching and I noticed treecreepers and tits. No dippers, unfortunately. Here are some pictures of Burbage Brook:

It took me over an hour to walk through the gorge, most of this time was spent simply admiring the scenery and watching the birds. You eventually get to a metal gate that leads you out onto a meadow where you have the most amazing view of the Longshaw Estate. The change from enclosed woodland to open moorland was so sudden that it simply takes your breath away. Well, it did mine anyway.

Leaving Padley Gorge

Looking towards Higger Tor and Carl Walk

My camera just can't do it justice, you really have to go there and see for yourself. Even though the weather was a bit bipolar, the breaks in the rain gave the sun a chance to shine through and light up parts of the moorland.

Longshaw Estate

I took the scenic route to the visitor centre, going past this interesting piece of artwork:

Ant Art

I arrive at Longshaw Lodge and nip in the visitor centre to see what goodies they have on offer. I'm not bothered about stopping for food in the cafe as I brought some with me, also it is a little expensive. I'm eyeing up one of the backpacks, I really like the style but at £45 I think I'll give it a miss.

Welcoming millstone

Longshaw Lodge

The trees lining the path up to the visitor centre are hung with bird feeders; literally a foot above your head are flocks of birds, I'm not sure if these are serins? Anyway, they are not bothered about the people passing below, only being interested in the food on offer.

Serins?

I head back past the pond and towards Padley Gorge again. Swallows are flying low over Longshaw Meadow, catching insects. Some perched on the fence and so as soon as the rain stopped again I got my camera back out:

Swallows

Walking back through Padley Gorge I checked out the old explosions building, now only useful for hikers wanting shelter from the rain. I also found an old abandoned millstone:

Old explosions storage

Millstone

And now back to the station for the train. The whole walk only took me four hours, next time I plan to spend longer exploring the walks on offer.