Time and time again I hear the Lakes are this and that. And folk seem to dismiss the Peak District.

50-65 mins away and less busy - I’ve got to say I cannot fault the Peaks for terrain, beauty and a great day out.

Anyone looking to just rock up and do something in natural beauty - I can recommend parking up at Fairholmes (get there early for the free spots), hiring (or taking your own) a bike and cycling round Ladybower, Derwent & Howden reservoirs. Then ditch the bikes and head up one of the big hills, or into the woods for a quality run/walk. Or take a dip in Slippery Stones natural pool. 

That’s just my six penneth. Lots more to see around the rest of the NP. But a good starting point. 

Edited April 7, 20215 yr by Smiley

5 minutes ago, Rudy said:

It’s beautiful it really is, I took a picture and it looks like it’s in Canada. Strawberry duck for a swift half after it as well 

Grandad was an Irish Navvy who worked on the reservoirs (so there's a bit of Dimron there) and settled in the cottages at Dimple, his sons worked in the bleach works at Belmont until the war came along.

All now laid to rest at Walmesley Chapel at Delph. 

Love The Peak District

In my time I’ve mountain biked a load of it and done a lot of walking there 

Lake District is best if you want to get really high up. Like massively high up and see for miles. Downside is some of the climbs are like climbing vertical stairs for hours on end and can be a bit monotonous. Only ever do Scafell once and do it on a guaranteed clear day

Peak District is best for longer walks. Climbs aren’t as severe and it’s not as barren so the views are more spectacular in a nature kind of way

Love the Derwent Valley, Kinder Scout and down towards Bakewell

13 minutes ago, MancWanderer said:

 

Only ever do Scafell once and do it on a guaranteed clear day

 

First time we went up Great Gable we were in the mist and took the wrong turn, sat down at the top for our butties and the mist lifted.. GG was the higher hill next door so we had to do it all again with her indoors moaning about my map reading skills

11 minutes ago, Dimron said:

First time we went up Great Gable we were in the mist and took the wrong turn, sat down at the top for our butties and the mist lifted.. GG was the higher hill next door so we had to do it all again with her indoors moaning about my map reading skills

Not done Great Gable. Just googled it and now know which fell it is. Looked interesting from Scafell and have photos of it from the top of Scafell. Will put it on my list.

My next Lake District walks are Brothers Water and Lingmoor Fell if anyone has any decent info on either

Lakes and Peak District both fantastic, love it around keswick.. went to snowdonia on holiday couple of years back and that was incredible, if the steam train journey there was based in Italy rather then Wales travel hipsters everywhere would be boring people stupid about it.. beautiful place

Too many trippers in both for my liking. I've done the Dales and that suits my antisocial ways.

2 hours ago, Rudy said:

It’s beautiful it really is, I took a picture and it looks like it’s in Canada. Strawberry duck for a swift half after it as well 

It's Strawbury Duck not Strawberry Duck, common mistake.

There's loads of reviews online  for both spellings though.

2 minutes ago, Alf Hartigan said:

It's Strawbury Duck not Strawberry Duck, common mistake.

There's loads of reviews online  for both spellings though.

Pisses me off. Haha.

We always refer to Entwistle / Ladybower as looking “just like Canada”. Wonder if Canadians ever head into the Rockies and refer to it as being just like Enty Res!!

6 minutes ago, Alf Hartigan said:

It's Strawbury Duck not Strawberry Duck, common mistake.

There's loads of reviews online  for both spellings though.

Pedantic bastard 😂

Educating pedantic bastard 😄

9 hours ago, Alf Hartigan said:

It's Strawbury Duck not Strawberry Duck, common mistake.

There's loads of reviews online  for both spellings though.

Not what it is quacked up to be

I’d also put a shout out for the area round parbold hill, Rufford, Mawdesley, Croston area, not a big area, but some lovely spots, good canal walks/bike rides & some good pubs. 

9 hours ago, Smiley said:

Pisses me off. Haha.

We always refer to Entwistle / Ladybower as looking “just like Canada”. Wonder if Canadians ever head into the Rockies and refer to it as being just like Enty Res!!

I recall comparing the tourist path up Skiddaw as like walking over a slag heap

1 minute ago, Mounts Kipper said:

I’d also put a shout out for the area round parbold hill, Rufford, Mawdesley, Croston area, not a big area, but some lovely spots, good canal walks/bike rides & some good pubs. 

Mawdesley is a lovely little spot, I’d move there tomorrow 

11 hours ago, MancWanderer said:

Not done Great Gable. Just googled it and now know which fell it is. Looked interesting from Scafell and have photos of it from the top of Scafell. Will put it on my list.

My next Lake District walks are Brothers Water and Lingmoor Fell if anyone has any decent info on either

Lingmoor is a great walk from Chapel Stile. Not too challenging but a nice half day's work, with good views. You can carry on up the beautiful Langdale valley for a pint at the Old Dungeon Ghyll - spectacular day out.

Brothers Water is a lovely spot but can get busy in my experience - maybe cross over the road & walk up to Angle Tarn which is a great setting for a picnic, with views over to the Helvellyn range.

Ah, can't wait to get back up there...

11 hours ago, Smiley said:

Pisses me off. Haha.

We always refer to Entwistle / Ladybower as looking “just like Canada”. Wonder if Canadians ever head into the Rockies and refer to it as being just like Enty Res!!

Ha, my other half is Canadian and she did her Ph.D on the Lake District. She's from British Columbia & she loves the walks around the NW, funnily enough!

As long as there's not too many scutters with their prams to spoil it. 🙄

14 hours ago, Rudy said:

It’s beautiful it really is, I took a picture and it looks like it’s in Canada. Strawberry duck for a swift half after it as well 

Went in SD for lunch on the way to Blackburn in 95/96, then Roman Road. Shearer hat-trick, 3-0 to Rovers. On the way back my dad remarked how much Shearer reminded him of Nat. 

3 hours ago, Rudy said:

Mawdesley is a lovely little spot, I’d move there tomorrow 

If I was younger I’d be there like a shot. Just joined the tennis club there so can play with my lad. 

4 hours ago, Rudy said:

Mawdesley is a lovely little spot, I’d move there tomorrow 

Pass through one of my regular cycling routes, the old Ironman course went that way. Lovely place, as are some of the other villages around there, Croston, Bretherton, Eccleston.

And cheers @Smiley for the heads up on the Peak District cycling, not been there for years, always default to the lakes with family, might check that out 👍

3 hours ago, Steejay said:

Lingmoor is a great walk from Chapel Stile. Not too challenging but a nice half day's work, with good views. You can carry on up the beautiful Langdale valley for a pint at the Old Dungeon Ghyll - spectacular day out.

Brothers Water is a lovely spot but can get busy in my experience - maybe cross over the road & walk up to Angle Tarn which is a great setting for a picnic, with views over to the Helvellyn range.

Ah, can't wait to get back up there...

Nice one. Cheers steejay 

Another shout for the dales and also Eden Valley. In fact the northern regions in general have some tremendous walking country.

Parked up at Clough Head visitor centre this morning off Grane Road near Helmshore. Did a stunning run up around the woods, reservoirs and moors. Managed over 9 miles. Just short of 2k elevation. Would make a good walk as well. Blue skies, sun and a light covering of snow. Beautiful place. 

54 minutes ago, Smiley said:

Parked up at Clough Head visitor centre this morning off Grane Road near Helmshore. Did a stunning run up around the woods, reservoirs and moors. Managed over 9 miles. Just short of 2k elevation. Would make a good walk as well. Blue skies, sun and a light covering of snow. Beautiful place. 

I've been on the tops above the res up there. It is a decent place for a walk.

 

3 hours ago, Smiley said:

Parked up at Clough Head visitor centre this morning off Grane Road near Helmshore. Did a stunning run up around the woods, reservoirs and moors. Managed over 9 miles. Just short of 2k elevation. Would make a good walk as well. Blue skies, sun and a light covering of snow. Beautiful place. 

Beautiful up there, we've loads of nice walks etc in Rossendale.

Me and the Mrs went to the Peak District on Sunday. We always seem to go for the lakes. Set off at 7.45 and was walking into thors cave at 9am before all the scum arrived. will definitely venture back and check out other places there really nice place