Derbyshire walk with lead mine and cattle.
Safaris in Derbyshire are just as much fun as the African ones but you don't get driven around the reserve, you have to use your own feet; but the big positive is a pub or tea room every few miles. We did a walk around the beautiful White Peak near Lathkill Dale last week. Here's an idea of some of the 'big game' we encountered.
Please don't lick that lens!
Love those freckles!
Come in No 5 - time for milking.
After a welcome pub lunch at the dubiously named 'Cock & Pullet' in the tiny upland hamlet of Sheldon we made a short detour to the nearby Magpie Mine, the best preserved lead mine in the county, built when the industry was at its height and in operation until the 1950's. The engine house and chimney are like a piece of classic Cornish scenery grafted into the Derbyshire landscape.
The Magpie Mine.
Engine house and chimney.
Shaft head winding gear.
After well earned tea and cakes in Monyash, we set off down Lathkill Dale, one of the most perfectly beautiful of limestone dales and one which itself, has a rich lead mining history. The eponymous river that usually runs through the dale's lower reaches had slowed to a trickle at best and was completely absent for most of the walk. The river disappears underground most summers as the water table sinks but according to English Nature, who manage the Lathkill Dale nature reserve, the duration of these dry periods is increasing. They are looking into ways of helping the river run again.
Jos in the normally dry canyon section of Lathkill Dale.
Please don't lick that lens! Love those freckles!Come in No 5 - time for milking.
After a welcome pub lunch at the dubiously named 'Cock & Pullet' in the tiny upland hamlet of Sheldon we made a short detour to the nearby Magpie Mine, the best preserved lead mine in the county, built when the industry was at its height and in operation until the 1950's. The engine house and chimney are like a piece of classic Cornish scenery grafted into the Derbyshire landscape.
The Magpie Mine. Engine house and chimney. Shaft head winding gear.After well earned tea and cakes in Monyash, we set off down Lathkill Dale, one of the most perfectly beautiful of limestone dales and one which itself, has a rich lead mining history. The eponymous river that usually runs through the dale's lower reaches had slowed to a trickle at best and was completely absent for most of the walk. The river disappears underground most summers as the water table sinks but according to English Nature, who manage the Lathkill Dale nature reserve, the duration of these dry periods is increasing. They are looking into ways of helping the river run again.
Jos in the normally dry canyon section of Lathkill Dale.
