Magpie Mine and Lathkill Dale Walk

A 9 mile Peak District Walk starting from the village of Over Haddon.

Start: SK 20735 66404 – DE45 1HY
Map: Landranger 119, Explorer OL24
Difficulty: 7
Refreshments : Over Haddon and Monyash

Over Haddon Location Map

Route Map

Magpie Mine located south of Sheldon in the Peak District is one of the most famous lead mines in the district. The workings date from 1740 by 1824 a pumping engine used to keep the mine free from water helped the miners extract a record amount of lead (800 tons) from the mine, a record that stood until 1871. The Peak District Mines Historical Society took over the care of Magpie Mine in 1962, it is thanks to them that the buildings are well preserved and well worth exploring before resuming your walk.

Lathkill Dale is part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. The first section of our walk along Lathkill Dale is dry, the source of the River Lathkill is Lathkill Head Cave a little further down the dale. During wet winters the water comes gushing out of the cave but as in the photo on this walk the water table is lower. During these dry spells the river emerges from springs close to Sheepwash Bridge. Mining for lead ore took place in Lathkill dale and evidence of this activity still remains, look out for Mandale Mine Engine House and the remains of an old aqueduct as you continue your walk along the dale.

Magpie Mine and Lathkill Dale Photo Gallery

Drifting Snow near Over HaddonDrifting Snow near Over Haddon
Drifting Snow near Over Haddon
Bole Hill PlantationBole Hill Plantation
Bole Hill Plantation
Magpie Mine from Bole HillMagpie Mine from Bole Hill
Magpie Mine from Bole Hill
A snow storm sweeps over Magpie MineA snow storm sweeps over Magpie Mine
Magpie Mine
Looking towards Bole HillLooking towards Bole Hill
Looking towards Bole Hill
Magpie Mine located south of Sheldon in the Peak District is one of the most famous lead mines in the district.Magpie Mine located south of Sheldon in the Peak District is one of the most famous lead mines in the district.
Magpie Mine
Storm Clouds over MonyashStorm Clouds over Monyash
Storm Clouds over Monyash
The Old Smithy Tea Rooms & Bull's Head, Monyash. Ed and Ruth Driscoll first opened the tea rooms in 1992. Ed sadly passed away some time ago but the tea room is now being run by their two sons. The food served is excellent.The Old Smithy Tea Rooms & Bull's Head, Monyash. Ed and Ruth Driscoll first opened the tea rooms in 1992. Ed sadly passed away some time ago but the tea room is now being run by their two sons. The food served is excellent.
Monyash Village Green
The Old Smithy Tea Room, Monyash. The tea rooms have a musical theme. Ed before he sadly died was in a folk band that would play at venues around the area.The Old Smithy Tea Room, Monyash. The tea rooms have a musical theme. Ed before he sadly died was in a folk band that would play at venues around the area.
The Old Smithy Tea Room, Monyash
Lathkill Dale is part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. The first section of our walk along Lathkill Dale is dryLathkill Dale is part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. The first section of our walk along Lathkill Dale is dry
Lathkill Dale
The source of the River Lathkill is Lathkill Head Cave during wet winters the water comes gushing out of the cave.The source of the River Lathkill is Lathkill Head Cave during wet winters the water comes gushing out of the cave.
Lathkill Head Cave
Waterfall on the River LathkillWaterfall on the River Lathkill
Waterfall on the River Lathkill
River Lathkill, Lathkill DaleRiver Lathkill, Lathkill Dale
River Lathkill, Lathkill Dale
River Lathkill, Lathkill DaleRiver Lathkill, Lathkill Dale
River Lathkill, Lathkill Dale
Lathkill Dale from ConksburyLathkill Dale from Conksbury
Lathkill Dale from Conksbury

Magpie Mine and Lathkill Dale Walk Directions

The walk starts at Over Haddon, take the Monyash Road out of the village. At the end of the village just before the farm buildings turn right along a footpath and follow this across pasture to the B5055. The footpath continues across the road. The path skirts the slopes of Bole Hill and descends into Kirk Dale. Cross the road here and carry on along the walled path to Magpie Mine.

After exploring the mine join the path that leads west and descend to the minor road. Turn right here and after the junction turn left along a footpath which leads first through a copse and then descends over fields to a road. Turn right along the road and into Monyash. Turn left at the village green and follow the road downhill. The footpath through Lathkill Dale is on the right, follow this path keeping to the river until reaching the road bridge over the river at Conksbury. Turn left up the hill then at the sharp bend take the footpath on the left which rises gently back to Over Haddon.

Copyright © Peter Cox. All rights reserved