Hemswell Antiques Centre and Uncle Henry's Farm Shop and Restaurant

I have to book a day out with Siobhan, my support worker, quite a bit in advance and so have to deal with whatever the weather is. Today's not been too pleasant at times, periods of sunshine, but also some quite heavy rain. I'd already decided to go to Hemswell Antiques Centre, just beyond Gainsborough...it's  our regular choice when we're looking for somewhere indoors dry and warm. 

There are actually several separate buildings on the site, it's a former RAF base. There are a couple of cafes, but the menus are rather limited and so we decided to pop out to Uncle Henry's, a farm shop and restaurant a few miles away to the north. We then returned to Hemswell top look around a couple more of the buildings before setting off for home.

Whirlow Bridge, Ringinglow Road, Ecclesall Woods and Abbeydale

A walk today in areas to the west of Sheffield. I got off the bus at Whirlow Bridge and immediately did a circuit of Whinfell Quarry Park: before entering the park I could detect a strong aroma of blossom...I looked but couldn't see where it was coming from. The park is only a small area but is quite interesting to explore - it will be much nicer in the summer months. I then walked up a muddy path and reached  Whirlow Hall Farm but then got lost before reaching Ringinglow Road, further east than I'd intended. There is a network of footpaths in this area; most of them I'm unfamiliar with.

When I approached the farm I looked over to my left and could see see snow up on the moors, it's not very clear on the first photograph though.

I needed to walk along Ringinglow Road for a bit before going downhill and then staying on the level as the footpath I chose headed to the west.

There is more snow in the next image if you can make it out.

I reached Ringinglow Road again and took a footpath goes adjacent to Firs Farm. This path isn't shown on my paper Ordnance Survey map but is on the online version. I started off gentley climbing up a grassy slop but it soon became a steep descent through woodland down to the Limb Valley. 

I soon reached Whirlowbrook Hall; I'm sure that a few years ago it operated as a cafe or tearooms - it's a wedding venue now though. 

The former toilet block further down the driveway is now a small cafe though.

This part of Sheffield used to be in Derbyshire until 1938 [I think] and so the photograph of the old fingerpost direction sign shows 'DCC 1933.'

Just to finish the walk off I continued through Ecclesall Woods to Abbeydale Road to catch the bus back intio the city centre. 

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART 22

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

100..I've seen them doing this many times; they also use Bradwell Edge. Something slightly different; the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club is based at Camphill near Great Hucklow.

101 I visit farmers' markets whenever I can.

TWO MORE SUGGESTIONS OF MY OWN

HALLAMSHIRE CAROLLING - Singing the lyrics of carols to a different tune - the best example I can think of is the words of 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night' to the tune of 'On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At.' This are usually sung in pubs in the parts of the Peak District nearest to Sheffield.

EDENSOR - A beautiful village on the Chatsworth Estate. Every cottage is unique, and very photogenic. 

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART 21

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

94..I've never flown so I'm not likely to go up in a balloon.

95..I love ice cream and I regularly purchase it when I'm out in the Peak District; I've never got it straight from the farm or dairy though, although I have walked by the one at Hathersage. I always used to look out for Bradwells of Bradwell, but they went bankrupt a few years ago. There's also Our Cow Molly at Bradfield.

96..This is somewhere I've not been walking - it's not easy to get to on public transport.

97..I love visiting stately homes but I've not been to Renishaw Hall yet.

98..I'm not interested in this.

99..I don't like cycling.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART TWENTY

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

91..I'm not interested.

92..I hate horses so I won't be doing this. One or two buses a day go to Matlock Farm Park from Sheffield though.

93..I've not visited any of the Peak District area football grounds.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART 19

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

86..I've been to Kedleston Hall a couple of times when it's been free admission. It's difficult to find the main entrance when driving along the narrow country lanes in the area.

87..This is not really going to the Peak District, is it? The hampers would be too expensive for me anyhow.

88..I've walked along the top of Froggatt Edge many times.

89..I think a went to Dovedale as a teenager when my friend first got his car.

90..I sometimes eat in cafes, pubs, and tearooms in the Peak District. I wasn't previously aware of Hathersage Social Club and what it offers - I shall have to Google it.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART 18

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

81..I've not been to any of the arts festivals.

82..I've walked most of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way at various times, not the final few miles down to the river's mouth though.

83..I've not done this; I have visited Bolsover though and am planning to visit the castle there next month.

84..This is somewhere I've not been, it's right over on the other side of the Peak District in Staffordshire. I'm not really interested though; I've still not visited the Yorkshire Wildlife Park here in Doncaster where I live.

85..I've been to Matlock Bath many times and quite often have fish and chips.

Rotherham To Sheffield Using The Canal Towpath

A level walk today along the canal towpath from Rotherham to Sheffield. Actually not all of the route was taking the towpath though because the waterway isn't really a canal, it's a navigation and so along some stretches there's no separate channel for boats, they just use the river itself. 

It took me nearly three hours to complete the walk.

New York is an area near to the town centre; there's a car dealership nearby called 'Central Park' but I didn't go looking for it.

The next photograph looks like it could have been taken ib the Peak District, it's actually a smallholding located on a sliver of land between the canal and the River Don.

This photograph features some sort of pressure release valve I think that was making a whooshing sound and then popped just as I was passing it.

The towpath was closed about a mile north of the canal basin and so I had to walk to the city centre through some unattractive industrial areas.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART SEVENTEEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

77...I've not been to any of the food festivals mentioned.

78..I finally got to go to Ilam eighteen months ago and it lived up to expectations.

79..Cheshire is too far for me to reach on public transport and Siobhan, my support worker, can't cope with walking on the moors.

80..I love taking afternoon tea, it's an expensive treat though.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART SIXTEEN

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

71..I've walked the entire length of the canal towpath. I wasn't looking out for wildlife though, I'm much more interested in the landscape and architecture.

72..I've visited the cathedral but not climbed up the tower.

73..I regularly visit Hathersage, it's easy to get to and is a good base for reaching Stanage Edge.

74..Belper is a nice town, I've visited a couple of times with my support worker. If I wanted to it wouldn't be too difficult for me to get there using public transport.

75..The 272 bus which goes to Castleton passes by Surprise View and the view is stunning.

76..I've not been to Heage yet. 

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART FIFTEEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

68..I'm sure that every time I've gone to Derby the museum has been closed.

69..I don't drink and so I'm not interested in a brewery tour.

70..I don't like biking - I admire the strength and skill of some of the mountainbikers I see on the moors.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART FOURTEEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do 

62...I've been to Derby quite a few times but haven't visited this museum. If it was free admission I'd probably go inside.

63..I've seen the trains running on the Peak Rail line but haven't travelled on one; I've never actually been on a steam train.

64..I've been to Derby city centre but not to any of the parks.

65..Calke Abbey is south of Derby, just too far for me to be able to visit with my support worker.

66..I've been to Ashbourne a couple a times with my support worker; the first time we went it was spoiled for us because there were roadworks everywhere.

67..I've been once with my support worker, calling on the way back from our first visit to Ashbourne. It's a beautiful village, the highglight for us though was seeing all the different breeds of hens at a farm on the outskirts of the village...they are so much more colourful than you'd think.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART THIRTEEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

59..I was walking in the area when the festival was taking place, it was in the morning and so no music was being played.

60..I've been inside but I'd say it's nothing special. Tideswell is an attractive village - it's quite large with a lot of facilities.

61..Yet again somewhere I visited on a school trip fifty years ago.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART TWELVE

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

54..This location is very easy to reach on the bus from Sheffield, it only takes twenty five minutes and there's better than an hourly service.

55..I've been to Ashbourne a couple of times, it's a pretty market town. I've not been there on Shrove Tuesday though, and don't plan to.

56..There's a cafe at the outdoor swimming pool, I've been there for tea and cakes. I've not been swimming there though, I can't swim, I can't even float.

57..I'm not interested.

58..I went last year with my support worker; it's very dark inside to protect the tapestries from sunlight.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART ELEVEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

49..I went as a child but can't remember anything about it.

50..I'm not interested.

51..I've been to Castleton many times, but not for Garland Day.

52..I've been to Bamford Edge a few times but I wouldn't want to be up there when it's dark.

 

53..I've not been to Carsington Water but I could see it in the distance when I did a walk in the Brassington area.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART TEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

44..I went to Hope Show last year and keep intending to go to Ashover Show but haven't managed it yet.

45..I don't like horses so I won't be doing this.

46..This is somewhere I'd love to visit but I can't get there on public transport and it's not a suitable location to visit in the car with my support worker.

47..I've been here quite a few times.

48..I'm not sure but I think I might have been there on a school trip fifty years ago.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART NINE

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

39..Fischer's is far too expensive for me. Baslow is a pretty village though and conveniently located for access to Chatsworth park.

40..The Opera House is a beautiful building but I've not seen a show there.

41..I've been a walk where I started from Monyash and was able to see these two hills from a couple of miles away; they are quite impressive.

42..I didn't even know there are vineyards in Derbyshire.

43..I've only ever been camping once and didn't like it.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART EIGHT

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

34..I think I might have technically been inside the boundaries of Buxton Country Park, but that's it.

35..I've never been; I'm not interested.

36..This is somewhere I've always wanted to visit, but I can't get there on public transport. I think I might have passed by the area in the car with my support worker when we went to Leek.

37..I've been to Belper, it's quite a nice town - I've not beeen to Strutt's Mill though.

38..I've been to Lyme Park with my support worker when it was free admission; we didn't explore the parkland though because it was raining.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART SEVEN

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

28..Monsal Head is one of my favourite spots, there's a pub, tearooms, toilets, and usually an ice cream van there.

29..I went on the cable car many years ago when I had a free ticket. The car stops half way up and down for you to take photographs.

30..I went on a school trip fifty years ago.

31..I've seen the sign at the Barley Mow in Bonsall.

32..I've included Lathkill Dale in a walk a few times, it's quite rocky in the upper reaches.

33..I've walked down Winnats Pass quite a few times, I don't recall walking up it though and I've definitely not been there at sunrise...or sunset.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART SIX

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

24...I've visited Padley Gorge; it's not one of my favourite places in the Peak District - I don't really like woodland areas, there's nothing for me to take photographs of. I've also visited the cafe, it's not quite as eccentric now that the son has taken over.

25..I've never been to Haddon Hall, I quite regularly use the bus stop there though to catch a bus back into Bakewell.

26..There are lovely pubs in many of the villages, since I don't have much money I rarely visit them though - if I do spend some money, I prefer to go to cafes or tearooms.

27..I've walked the entire length of the Monsal Trail, but not all in one go though. I've not cycled the route; I don't really like cycling - I'm tall and when I was a child I had a bike that wasn't big enough for me and when I turned the handlebars they would catch on my knee...meaning that I could only go in a straight line.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART FIVE

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

18..I regularly visit  Eyam, it's much easier to get there on the bus at the moment to what it used to be. I've never been inside the museum, it's usually closed when I get there quite early in the morning. It really annoys me when people mispronounce the name as 'EE-YAM.'

19..I've been to Bolsover Castle once and am hoping to visit again in March when it will be free admission as part of the National Lottery Heritage Open Week [with a lottery card or scratchcard.]

20..I think I did this as a teenager when I visited Dovedale with a few friends.

21..I love Ashford-in-the Water. It's a short walk from Bakewell, or just get the bus. It's a good base for starting or finishing walks. The Sheepwash Bridge is very picturesque and features in jigsaw puzzles a lot.

22..Access to Stanage Edge is either from Hathersage or Moscar Moor, both easily reachable by bus. I've been there many times but don't prat about up there.

23..I've never been there, I'm not interested.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART FOUR

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

15.. I've never been. Up until a couple of years ago there used to be a conveniently-timed bus that ran out to Monyash from Bakewell and I would be able to reach Arbor Low from there. I would need to walk all the way back to Bakewell though. I've seen videos of Arbor Low and it doesn't seem to be particularly attractive or interesting and there might be access problems as well.

16..I last visited Treak Cliff Cavern about fifteen years ago with a group of friends. The tour underground was interesting.

17..I've done this walk in its entirety maybe half a dozen times, each time from west to east.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART THREE

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

10..I've visited the dams in the Upper Derwent Valley many times. My most recent walk in the Peak District featured the Ladybower Reservoir, the furthest south, and newest of the three. I've never been there when there's been a fly-by of the bombers though.

11..I've only been to Hartington once...and the village pond was covered in algae and stank awful. It's somewhere I can't reach on public transport and so travelled there in the car with a couple of friends from Leeds.

12...I've visited Derby a few times, but I much prefer its neighbour, Nottingham.

13...I'm a regular visitor to Buxton, either on my own or in the car with my support worker. I've not been inside any of the historic buildings though.

14..I've not climbed up the spire at Chesterfield although I quite often visit the town, most recently to Christmas Market in December.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do - PART TWO

 VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

7...I've already mentioned Bakewell Puddings and Tarts.

8...I've visited Cromford Mill a few times but have never been inside the main building...only the tea rooms and the toilets.

9...I've only walked the first few miles, starting at Edale. I don't like camping so this doesn't appeal to me at all.

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do. PART ONE

VISIT PEAK DISTRICT & DERBYSHIRE: The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List - 101 Great Things To Do.

I've checked the long-range weather forecast and it looks like it's going to rain every day for the next fortnight so I thought I might as well comment on this list for the next few days.

1...I love the Peak District and I regularly go there, and it's easy for me to get there. I live in Doncaster, which isn't too far away and I've got a travel pass for free travel on the buses and local trains. I can reach about half of the national park from Sheffield, including many of the tourist honeypot areas.

2...I've visited Chatsworth House quite a few times, a few years ago I purchased a season ticket. I regularly go walking in the parkland; it's beautiful and isn't too challenging.

3...I've been up on Kinder Scout a few times, usually not alone...although I might have done it unaccompanied once. It's a difficult climb and I doubt I'll be doing it again.

4...I've been to Cresswell Crags a few times and it's a pleasant location which can easily be incorporated into a longer walk. I've never paid to have a guided tour of the caves though.

5...Obviously when visiting the villages I've seen the decorated wells, but I've never actually been to one of the well-dressing ceremonies though.

6...I've been to Bakewell many times, not just to visit, but also to use the town as a base for walking. Masny years ago I bought a Bakewell Pudding and during my lifetime I've eaten thousands of Bakewell tarts. I've never asked a woman if she's a pudding or a tart though.