The attractive path from Ashford in the Water towards the Monsal Trail.
Click for a pdf with stage-by-stage details of the route including photos and a map, as well as links to car parks and public transport. A walking app GPX file is also available.
Length: 3mls | Av. time: 1h 15m | Ascent: 171ft
Start: Ashford in the Water | Google Map
Walk description, map & GPX | Download
A 3-mile circular walk from Ashford-in-the-Water, one of the prettiest villages in the Peak District. It’s one of the shortest walks in the series, but also one of the most picturesque – I recorded it in early June, with fields carpeted in buttercups and hawthorns in blossom.
The walk starts from the small car park in Ashford, opposite one of the village wells. If it’s full, it’s usually easy to find on-street parking nearby. Ashford is also on a bus route – see getting there.
By chance, I walked it during Ashford’s annual well-dressing week, with four of the village wells adorned with superbly crafted displays of petals, berries, seeds, pebbles and wood.
Above: Ashford’s two largest wells with their colourful displays.
The origins of well dressing have been lost over time, but it’s thought the custom evolved from a pagan ritual of leaving gifts to water gods for a continued supply of fresh water.
The route joins the Trail near Great Longstone Station (point 8 on the pdf map). The old ticket office and waiting room is now a private house, and the large house alongside was built by a railway director who lived at nearby Thornbridge Hall.
Above: Click the ‘Now’ button – or drag the green slider – to compare Great Longstone Station in 1948 with today.
Churchdale
The walk returns through Churchdale – an odd name, as it isn’t a dale and there’s no sign of a church – passing Churchdale Hall, home of the 10th Duke of Devonshire from the 1920s until his death in 1950.
Take care crossing the busy Ashford to Hassop road at point 10. Back in the village there are two pubs, the Ashford Arms and the Bulls Head, and the Aisseford Tearoom with its garden.
Thornbridge Hall, a short walk from the Trail, also has a cafe and toilets, as well as gardens and a children’s play area (both paid for).
Click for a pdf with stage-by-stage details of the route including photos and a map, as well as links to car parks and public transport. A walking app GPX file is also available.
Route photos
Stages 1-6 of the route. Click any to enlarge and scroll through.
Relive video
Click to play and use the expand option to view in full-screen. More Monsal Trail Relives.