Bakewell, Ashford in the Water, Little Longstone, and Great Longstone

I travelled to Bakewell and then walked alongside the river to Ashford in  the Water, a beautiful village, one of my favourites in the Peak District. As I was leaving Bakewell I took a slightly different route, going by Lumford Cottages. I've always thought this way was a dead end but I saw a man walking his dogs and so followed him.

When I reached Ashford I found a [very short] footpath that I'd not used before - it just led down to the river bank...this time my chosen route was indeed a dead end.

I then headed north to Little Longstone, not really entering the village as I took the path over to the right going across the fields to Great Longstone. I walked through that village [but not along the main street] and then  made my way back to Bakewell using the Monsal Trail. 

During the last few weeks they've been felling a lot of trees along the route of the Monsal Trail; it's certainly opened up the views at either side. Previously I wouldn't have been able to take this shot.

Monsal Head, Litton Mill, and Blackwell

I caught the local bus from Bakewell to Monsal Head and took the footpath going down to the Monsal Trail.

For a change I took the footpath that bypasses the two tunnels, it's the one we had to use before they were open.

This path comes down in Litton Mill; I then continued on to Tideswell Dale, going up the 120 steps to reach the old quarry...which is very well landscaped. I hoped to see some early purple orchids but there were sheep grazing, however I did spot this rather lovely specimen hiding away in an obscure corner.

At the end of the dale there's the car parking area and public toilets. I then headed west across some fields until I reached the Limestone Way. I walked along the road which goes to Hargatewall but then climbed up to Wormhill...I only visited the area of the village where the church is though.

The path that goes down to Chee Dale is quite steep, although I naturally thought the one going up the other side was much steeper. At the bottom there's a lovely spot where there's a footbridge over the river; families were having picnics on the grassy riverbank and some children were paddling in the water. 

At a farm on the approach to Blackwell there's a pathside refreshment stall selling cakes. I didn't want to purchase anything but I couldn't work out how the honesty box works...maybe payment is done online. I don't know.

I finished the day by walking along the road to the bus stop at Blackwell Turn and caught the bus going back to Bakewell.

Stoney Middleton, Great Longstone, and Bakewell

I travelled to Stoney Middleton on the number 257 bus; my card didn't scan and I had to insist to the bus driver that it was definitely valid for travel at that time - a few minutes later it was obvious that the machine wasn't working because people couldn't make contactless payments. I walked up the very steep High Street to reach my first footpath, going down into Coombs Dale.

I walked up to the top of the dale and then went higher to Longstone Edge before dropping down into Great Longstone.

I walked through the village and finished by walking along the Monsal Trail for the two miles or so to Bakewell.