The party at the ruins of Errwood Hall
Two reservoirs and the ruins of a grand Hall were notable features of a recent walk by East Cheshire Ramblers in the Goyt Valley, Derbyshire, one of the most attractive areas of the Peak District National Park.
Leader Sue Munslow explained that the Stockport Water Corporation built the two reservoirs to supply water to Manchester and Stockport’s growing conurbation during the 20th Century: Fernilee in 1938 and Errwood in 1967. Now owned by United Utilities, the reservoirs provide sailing, walking and fishing opportunities in an area surrounded by beautiful moorlands and woodlands. They have also enhanced the area’s biodiversity and increased the number of habitats for birds, fish and mammals. When the water level is low, traces of the hamlet of Goyts Bridge, where houses and farms were demolished to provide the water collection area, can still be seen. Here farming families lived and provided a tearoom for Victorian visitors on a day out from Buxton.
Below Foxlow edge, walking towards Errwood Hall
For their eight mile walk, ten Ramblers met at the car park near Errwood Hall. They enjoyed fantastic views around the reservoir as they walked northwards, and took a track through the forest above Fernilee Reservoir. The route took the group higher up the valley side to Taxal Edge, where the walking became easier on the moorland tops giving lovely views of the surrounding landscape. Later, they walked towards Pym Chair and returned down the valley by way of Foxlow Edge to Errwood Hall, which was built about 1840 by the wealthy Grimshawe Family. The last of the family died in 1930, and the Hall was demolished when the reservoir was built. Now in ruins the Hall illustrates a time of great grandeur, and is a favourite picnic spot. One of the group explained how a local family had opened up an old drift mine to provide a regular coal supply to the Hall. Another described the hard work in recent years by local rangers, removing rhododendrons, which had reduced wildlife in the area. Finally, they followed along the wooded sheltered valley track down and back to the car park.
Sue Munslow
Returning to the car park overlooking Errwood Reservoir