Day 4 – Peak Wesley Way

Thursday 12th September 2024 – Baslow to Hathersage over Froggatt Edge via Grindleford (8 miles/4 hours)

We set off on the road going up and up to the cliffs or “Edges” that we were going to negotiate today – Baslow, Curbar and Froggatt.

It was all fairly easy navigation, passing plenty of runners, cyclists, dogs and walkers, even wedding parties along the way. The edges giving stunning views over the Hope Valley; a few pictures to back this up.

Coming down from Froggatt Edge we got lost through Hay Wood though, somehow missing an earlier turning, but we managed to get on the right road to Grindleford station to sit outside and refresh ourselves with tea and cake. The cafe is very down to earth, serving tea in half pint or one pint mugs.

We go on further to Hathersage and a well-equipped chapel, albeit the loos are a long way from the sleeping area. The chapel, swimming pool, playing fields with bowling green, tennis courts, bandstand and memorial hall nearby were all funded in whole or part by the wealthy industrialist George Lawrence whose factory in Sheffield made razor blades, which must have been lucrative at the time. After being killed by a bomb hitting the factory in 1940, his wife commissioned the stained glass window in the chapel in his honour. It is fairly unusual to see stained glass windows in a Methodist chapel.

We take a look around at the main street, investigating the three pubs, stopping in the Scotsman’s Pack for a beer, then down the main street to settle on the George for our evening meal, sharing a pizza and salad together, the chef splitting the pizza conveniently on the big plate for us to just add salad around.

Although this place looked a bit pretentious, with posh seating and staff dress, it was filled with normal folks, so we felt at home and it reminded me of a chic version of the Inn at Whitewell, as it’s a hotel. They also had Bakewell bitter.