The Peak District has many historic connections – from ancient times to WW2 connections. The name Peak District itself it's name comes from the name of an ancient tribe that once lived here – the Peac – rather than being something to do with height of mountains! This article highlights two good areas not far from Hathersage for walks with a historical flavour.
Carl Wark – Site of Roman Rebellions and Iron Age Gatherings
This walk starts at the Fox House pub, heads down to Toad's Mouth and follows the Burbage Brook part way before rising to Carl Wark. Carl Wark was once thought to be a Roman Fort, but is now more likely thought to be originally an Iron Age tribal gathering place that was possibly later fortified (or refortified) by Venutius, leader of the Celtic Brigantes tribe, as part of his defences against the more southerly Roman Ruled part of Britain.
The walk continues over Higger Tor, up to Upper Burbage Bridge, and down the easy-going trail back to Toad's Mouth, detouring on the way to the Pack Horse Bridge. This trail started life as the Duke's of Rutland's Green Drive, one of several driving routes which guests to his shooting lodge could enjoy. Of course this estate was created by an Act of Enclosure, which blocked the ordinary person from using many rights of way across the land, including some old packhorse routes.
The packhorse bridge was a crossing point on one of the many packhorse trade routes crossing Derbyshire. This one is thought to be part of the Cheshire Salt Route.
Derwent Reservoir – Testing Ground of the WW2 Dambusters and Home to Tin Town, an Early Model Village
This can be done either as a two mile linear road walk or as a 10mile circular cycle. It starts at the Visitor Centre just below Derwent Reservoir, and follows the road up the western bank of the reservoir. Although this road is served by a bus on weekends (when cars are banned) walking or cycling enables the visitor to wander round some of the remnants of Birchinlee village.
"Tin Town" as Birchinlee village was known locally, due to the widespread use of corrugated iron, was created by the Derwent Valley Water Board to house not just the dam workers, but also their families. This was an act of surprising altruism in an era where construction workers were largely regarded as expendable slaves, but formed part of a growing movement towards "model villages" constructed by large employers for their workers.
The Derwent Reservoir itself also has a more well-known historical connection. In 1943 the dam was used for practice by 617 squadron to refine their skills in map-reading at low-level, flying at night and at the exact altitudes and speeds required for the Barnes Wallis bouncing bomb to be effective against the Ruhr Dams.
Walkers have a choice to either continue around Howden Reservoir and the eastern side of Derwent Reservoir or return the same way (or by bus) from the road end near the Slippery Stones. Cyclists will probably wish to complete the entire 10miles circuit, (bikes can be hired from the visitor centre).
Hathersage is a good base for gentle exploration of Derbyshire history, with some good walking and cycling routes nearby.
Chiz Dakin - A keen mountain walker, scrambler, cyclist and occasional climber and sea kayaker for several years, Chiz Dakin has carried a camera with ...
