Peak District Tour - Day 1 and 2

Day 1
A group of like minded Triumph friends spent a long weekend in the Peak District last week. Although the weather was not good to us, we all had an enjoyable time, travelling round and visiting the Derbyshire and Staffordshire Peaks with no set agenda.
We set off early Friday from Norfolk, having an enjoyable ride through Oakham and Melton Mowbray on the way, arriving in the Peaks at lunch time. Booking in to our secluded hotel in the Manifold Valley we then visited Bakewell indulging in the obligatory Bakewell Puddings and Tarts.

Hartington Station on the Tissington Trail. The Tissington Trail follows
the course of the Ashbourne to Buxton Railway line.

Tissington Trail, great for cycling or walking.

 

 





Bakewell, home of the Tarts and Puddings







River Wye at Bakewell.

After an enjoyable evening meal and drinks we retired hoping for better weather the next day.

Day 2

Thankfully the next day started fine, after a good Breakfast we headed for Castleton and the Hope Valley. Gill and I first visited Speedwell Cavern at the bottom of the Winnat Pass.

At the bottom of Winnats Pass.



In Speedwell Cavern, aboard the boat on the lead miners canal. Trust
us to find a canal!



In Speedwell Cavern, boat approaching the end cavern where
the Bottomless pit can be seen.

After Speedwell we took the trip up Winnats Pass to Blue John Cavern which is on the road that Man Tor "The Shivering Mountain" has made unpassable due to landslides. The trip is very interesting made up of natural caverns where the Lead Miners have cut steps into the caverns.



Gill decending the steps into Blue John Caverns




Seam of Blue John



Under Man Tor

After the Caverns we returned down Winnats Pass to Castleton for lunch and a quick look at the many Blue John jewellers and touristy shops. We then headed down the main road to Hope then along the lovely road to Edale.

Descending Winnats Pass.

Heading for Edale at the end of the Hope Valley




Looking back to Edale and the Hope Valley






Same location in 2004, but better weather.
















We then headed accross to Buxton and back to Hartington and Hulme end in some foul weather for a well deserved spruce up before another great meal with good company.