Upper Goyt Valley
13 October 2024
An eleven mile walk. Our next group walk takes us from Buxton to Whaley Bridge, exploring the upper reaches of the beautiful Goyt Valley. The River Goyt begins its journey near the Cat & Fiddle, high above Buxton, and proceeds north via Whaley Bridge to Marple. It flows on towards Stockport, where it joins the River Tame and eventually, the Mersey. We covered the Stockport to Whaley Bridge section a few years back.
This is our last walk before British Summer Time ends. There are no refreshment facilities en route, so please bring along any food and drink you may require during the day.
Our walk begins at Buxton Pavilion, where toilet facilities are available. We pass through the Pavilion Gardens and Serpentine Park, following the River Wye. A brief stretch along Saint John’s Road brings us to Macclesfield Old Road, which we follow up onto the moors above the town. This is the route of the old coach road across to Cheshire.
After crossing the trackbed of the long-abandoned Cromford and High Peak Railway, we leave the old coach road and climb the short distance to the top of Burbage Edge. The glorious view from here makes our climb really worthwhile! In the distance we shall see the Cat & Fiddle and other landmarks, with the Goyt Valley spread out before us to the north and the west. Historically, the river was the boundary between Derbyshire and Cheshire. The border is now along the ridge to the west of the valley.
We begin our descent to the River Goyt via Berry Clough. Our route turns to follow the east bank of the river northwards. We pass the remains of Goytsclough Quarry and an old packhorse bridge, reconstructed here when the reservoirs were built further down the valley.
We briefly turn east along Wildmoorstone Brook, with a panoramic view of Errwood Reservoir to our left. The reservoir was completed in 1967. Hidden in the woods on the far side of the Goyt are the remains of Errwood Hall. We follow the reservoir north to Bunsall Cob, where we descend to the Errwood Dam. The steep road here was once an incline on the Cromford & High Peak Railway. To our left we see the Fernilee Reservoir, which was completed in 1938.
Crossing the Errwood Dam, we pass into what used to be Cheshire. We then follow the western bank of the Fernilee Reservoir through beautiful woodland to the Fernilee Dam. The valley here was once the site of a large gunpowder works called Fernilee Mills. The valley is more natural from here on, as we follow a trackway high above the river, past Madscar Farm and the Hillbridge & Parkwood Nature Reserve. Eventually, we arrive at the tiny hamlet of Taxal, with its ancient church. The body of the church was rebuilt in the C19 but the tower is much older. Parts are thought to date back to Saxon times. Two ancient stone carved heads are incorporated in the structure. Before the Industrial Revolution, this was the principal church for a very wide area.
Beyond Taxal, we continue along the west side of the Goyt towards Whaley Bridge. Toddbrook Reservoir eventually comes into sight. This was in the news a few years ago when the dam wall was at high risk of collapse after heavy flooding in the area. Much work has been done since then to stabilise the structure. We should be safe!
Our walk finishes alongside Whaley Bridge railway station. Our coach will pick us up on the main road adjacent to the station at 6:30pm. If time permits, there is a selection of drinking establishments to enjoy.
As ever we are keen to welcome new walkers, give us try! No need to book, just turn up at one of the below pick-up points. Coach fare is only £12.
Coach Departure
The coach picks up at the following points.
(With the agreement of the leader other pick-up points
on the bus route may be available).
| “Staff of Life” pub, Hack Lane | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.15am |
| Priestic Road, opp McDonald’s | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.20am |
| Eastfield Side, (Blue Bell) | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.22am |
| Hermitage Lane stop, Sutton Road | Mansfield | 9.25am |
| ASDA bus stop. Stockwell Gate. | Mansfield | 9.30am |
