Midlands | BaldHiker

Win Hill Pike – A snow covered pimple

Posted by Janine Moore | Feb 11, 2015 | Britain, Derbyshire, Midlands, Travel |

Known locally as the Pimple, Win Hill Pike in the Derbyshire Peak District is a feature of the lovely Hope Valley area, a place I return to regularly. The winter’s snow drew my soul up to this peaceful wonderland on the first day of February. I’ve spent many memorable summer days hiking up to Win Hill Pike and down again through the lush pines to Ladybower reservoir and beyond, but there really is nothing like a wintery covering up on the peaks to make it a magical experience. I wanted to share the stillness, the tranquility and heavenly views...

A Tranquil Walk on Hathersage Moor

Posted by Janine Moore | Jan 30, 2015 | Britain, Derbyshire, Midlands, Travel |

Hathersage Moor in the Peak District National Park is a peaceful and stunning location in any season, any weather. The area mainly consists of beautiful open moorland, bracken and dramatic stony outcrops with Burbage brook running through the grassland. For me a favourite spot is the Iron Age Hill Fort, Carl Wark. Carl Wark is a scheduled monument and has been described as “Unlike any other structure found in Northern England.” Another favourite location close by is the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate and the Old Hunting Lodge, a great place to stop for a hot chocolate or a lovely...

High Peak Junction in the Derwent Valley

Posted by Janine Moore | Dec 27, 2014 | Britain, Derbyshire, Midlands, Travel |

High Peak Junction in Cromford is part of Derbyshire’s industrial heritage in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site. A real hub for hikers and families, it’s loaded with history, a haven for wildlife and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. High Peak Junction Workshop and Visitor Centre is situated next to Cromford canal where, water vole and little grebe a tiny diving waterbird, the smallest of its species in Europe, have started to make a comeback and can be seen along the canal regularly. Leawood pump house is just a short distance along the canal and...

Dark Hills and Green Dales – An Edale walk

Posted by Janine Moore | Dec 10, 2014 | Britain, Derbyshire, Midlands, Travel |

A winter’s walk in the peaks to clear the head and lighten the soul. There’s nothing quite so simple, yet so pleasing for me as taking a breathtaking walk in the hills. All of the contrasting colour and texture draws my eye, the bracken is now a burnt umber and is receding for winter, even the grassy pastures that were once a bright vibrant playing field green is now a pale faded sepia tone. The Derbyshire stone walls remain ever the same stone grey with spots of lichen, a constant in this ever changing environment. The tree line is...

Derbyshire to Nottinghamshire, A Tranquil Canal and Riverside Walk

Posted by Janine Moore | Dec 1, 2014 | Britain, Derbyshire, Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Travel |

If you appreciate nature and love to take a stroll by the riverside this may well be a perfect location for you to explore. All can be gained via public transport. Long Eaton Train station where our journey begins in Derbyshire, has Bicycle and Disabled access, with a lift adjoining the platform for wheelchair access. This walk borders both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and takes in a couple of cozy riverside pubs and a lovely tea room on route, ideal for a cold drink on a summers day or a warming hot drink and a meal on a crisp winter...

Strelley Village and Hall, a Nottinghamshire Gem

Posted by Janine Moore | Nov 2, 2014 | Britain, Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Travel |

A gentle stroll in the Nottinghamshire countryside is a peaceful haven away from the city. Sometimes a more local adventure can stir the imagination just as easily as one further afield, our walk through the fields and village of Strelley shows that we don’t have to travel too far in order to find a lovely setting hidden just off the main road. The whole of the Strelley Village area is steeped in history including the Monks stones, a 14th century route taken by Monks through the area, some of the monk’s way can still be walked today next to...