Upper Dove and Manifold Valley Walk

This 10 mile Peak District walk starts in the village of Hartington famous for its cheese making. Refreshments for the start or at the end of your walk are available at the many pubs, hotels, shops and cafés adjacent to the market square. Hartington Mere is an attractive spot to sit and watch the ducks and don’t forget the nearby Old Cheese Shop now selling cheese made locally at Hartington Creamery.

The walk from Brund follows the Manifold Trail to the village of Longnor. Set on high ground in the Staffordshire Moorlands between the river’s Dove and Manifold Longnor was used as a location in series 12 of Peak Practice, a television series shown on the BBC between 1992 and 2002.

On the left as we cross the Dove Valley between Longnor and Crowdecote are the peaks of the Peak – Hollins, Chrome and Parkhouse Hills.

Pilsbury Castle of motte and bailey design, built in a commanding position on a limestone knoll on the edge of the Dove Valley dates back to the late 11^th or early 12^th century. The buildings within the two baileys would have been of timber construction, the ditches and banks built to protect them topped with wooden palisades. Evidence on the ground suggests a sunken track as the access route leading up from the south across a bridge to a gatehouse. The motte would have been the most fortified probably having a wooden watchtower to look out up and down the Dove valley.

Upper Dove and Manifold Valley Photo Gallery

Upper Dove and Manifold Valley Walk Directions

The walk leaves Hartington by the old cheese factory and proceeds over fields to cross the River Dove by a small footbridge. The path then crosses the ridge near Bridge-End Farm and continues onto Sheen. Turn left along the lane and then take the bridleway on the right sign posted Brund. On reaching Brund turn right along the lane and then left across a field towards the restored mill. Join the Manifold Trail north of the mill and follow this along the Manifold valley to Longnor. You may recognise the village of Longnor as this is were the television program, Peak Practice was filmed.

To the north of Longnor a bridleway leads over the ridge and descends to a footbridge over the Dove.  Cross the bridge and carry straight on, just before the lane ahead turn right along the path into Crowdecote. The footpath then continues first beneath Wagon Low and onto Pilsbury Castle Hills.   At Pilsbury cross the lane and follow the signpost marked Parsley Hay.  At the meeting of the path from Pilsbury Lodge turn right and back up to the ridge overlooking the Dove valley. The path then continues below Carder Low to Bank Top Farm, here turn left up the lane and immediately right over a stile across fields and onto a lane. Turn right along the lane and back into Hartington.

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