Activities

Walking Coarse Fishing
Cycling Caving
Pony Trekking & Riding Outdoor Activity Providers
Golf Water Sports
Swimming Air Sports
Fly Fishing Special Interest
Rock Climbing

Walking

Park your car at Swainsley Farm and walk a different route each day, straight from the door! The area has walking to suit all levels of ability, from short
easy strolls to long, high, rugged trails. Each cottage has an OS Explorer map of the White Peak (2½ inches to 1 mile) and walking guides. Information
about public transport, outdoor equipment shops, weather forecasts etc is also available. We have a drying cupboard for wet gear and boot cleaning
equipment. If you decide to wander further afield we can provide you with the Dark Peak OS Explorer map. Also available (and covering many of the best
walks in the Peak District) are guides with large scale maps and clear, easy to follow descriptions in see-through weatherproof wallets. These offer
carefully chosen circular routes to enable you to walk safely and with confidence.

Links for walks, routes and maps.

Manifold Trail

Swainsley Farm is located on the Manifold Trail a flat, paved surface for walkers and cyclists running for 9.5 miles through spectacular scenery. It
follows the rivers Manifold and Hamps from Hulme End in the north to Waterhouses in the south. There are three tea shops en-route (the Junction at Hulme
End, National Trust teashop at Wetton Mill and Lee House teashop 1 mile north of Waterhouses). There are a number of circular routes off the Manifold
Trail.

The Tissington Trail

This follows the old Ashbourne to Buxton railway from Mappleton Lane (just north of Ashbourne) to Parsley Hay (south of Buxton) a distance of 13 miles. The
trail is along the higher ground of the lower Peak with spectacular views and in summer old cuttings are a riot of wild flowers. Tissington village is a
wonderful place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea. Tissington Hall is open to visitors in the summer and there is a Well Dressing festival in May.

High Peak Trail

This trail links with the Tissington trail at Parsley Hay and runs for 17.5 miles south to Cromford Canal. There are many interesting places on the
way including the National Stone Musuem and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at Wirksworth.

Monsal Trail

The trail uses part of the former Midland Line railway from Blackwell Mill (3 miles east of Buxton) to Hassop Station near Bakewell (8.5 miles). In May
2011 the National Park Authority opened four tunnels which are lit during daylight hours.

Pennine Way

The Pennine Way starts at Edale near Buxton and is a high level walking route to Kirk Yetholm just over the Scottish border (270 miles). Why not walk the
beginning?

Guided Walks

For a full range of guided walks with history and geographical background try Sally Mosley (website: http://www.sallymosley.co.uk). Tel: 01629 814108 or mobile: 07989 622692

Leek Town Guided Walks

Contact Leek Tourist Information Centre (tel. 01538 395530) for guided walks around Leek and learn about it’s connection with William Morris and the Arts and Crafts
movement.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Countryside Section

Self guided walks (www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/article/2805/countryside-footpaths)

Ilam Country Park, National Trust

Guided walks for groups (Tel. 01335 350549)

Cycling

The Manifold Trail runs below Swainsley Farm and provides excellent cycling through stupendous scenery. We have inside cycle storage (with a drying
cupboard for wet gear) plus facilities for cleaning your bike. If you don’t want to bring your own bike you can borrow one of ours (adult only).

Each cottage has lots of books and maps with cycle trails and routes we also provide information about bus routes, taxis, bike repair shops, outdoor
equipment shops and the weather.

Take the stress out of finding the best routes, single track and scenery the area has to offer. You may want to join a guided group with True North Adventures & Cycling Hub. Go to their website for details:

truenorthadventures

Links for routes and maps

Manifold trail

A flat, paved, winding trail following the Manifold and Hamps rivers through beautiful valleys (from Hulme End to Waterhouses, 9.5 miles). There are three
tea shops along the route. This is easy cycling but a circular route through hilly terrain can be planned for the more energetic visitor.

Bike hire: Brown End Farm (ST10 3JR) Tel. 01538 308313,

Tissington Trail

(5 miles from Swainsley Farm)

The former Buxton to Ashbourne railway line runs for 13 miles through lovely Derbyshire countryside. Its surface is relatively even and flat. Tissington
village (with its tea shop) is close to the trail.

Bike hire: Parsley Hay (SK17 0DG), Tel. 01298 84493  (www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle/bike-hire-centres/parsleyhay)

Bike hire: Ashbourne (DE6 2AA), Tel. 01335 343156 (www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle/bike-hire-centres/ashbourne)

High Peak Trail

(6 miles from Swainsley Farm)

Another former railway line running from Parsley Hay to Matlock (17.5 miles). It has a good flat surface and runs across the central, southern Peak. There
are many places to visit en route (National Stone Centre, Middleton Top Visitors Centre and High Junction Workshops, a Victorian railway workshop with
audio tour).

Bike Hire: Middleton Top (DE6 2AA), Tel. 01629: 01629 533294

Parsley Hay (SK17 ODG), Tel. 01298 84496  (www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle/bike-hire-centres/parsleyhay)

Monsal Trail

(14 miles form Swainsley Farm)

This trail was extended in May 2011 when the National Park Authority opened-up four tunnels (lit during daylight hours). It runs for 8.5 miles between
Coombs Road (Bakewell) to Blackwell Mill (Chee Dale near Buxton). Hassop Station has good parking and a coffee shop and there is a pub near the viaduct at
Monsal Head.

Bike hire: Hassop Station (DE45 1NW), Tel. 01629 815668   (www.hassopstation.co.uk)

Blackwell Mill (SK17 9TE), Tel. 01298 70838   (www.peakblackwellcyclehire.com)

Mountain biking.

There is an extensive network of bridleways (usually marked by blue arrows) for the rider who likes more challenging terrain following ancient packhorse
routes over moorland countryside.

Pony Trekking & Riding

Packhorse trains were the juggernauts of the past and many Peak District horse-riding routes and bridleways still follow these ancient trade routes across
the moors and dales. Annual activities in the National Park of interest to the horse rider include Flagg Point-to-Point races, Chatsworth Horse Trials,
Lyme Park Horse Trials, Bakewell Show and the Hope Agricultural Show.

Riding & trekking Centres

* British Horse Society Approved
** Association of British Riding Schools

If you wish to bring your own horse(s) please enquire – we may be able to arrange livery close-by.

Golf

The Peak District is well served with golf courses:

Swimming & local leisure centres:

  • Buxton 01298 766142 https://www.leisurecentre.com/buxton-swimming-and-fitness-centre
  • Leek . 01538 373603 https://www.leisurecentre.com/brough-park-leisure-centre
  • Ashbourne 01335 343 712  https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/ashbourne-leisure-centre/
  • Bakewell 01629 814 205  https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/bakewell-swimming-pool-and-gym/
  • Matlock 01629 581 322  https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/arc-leisure-matlock/

Fun Pools

Fly Fishing

Ever since the genteel days of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton in the 17th century, the sparkling, crystal clear waters of the Peak District’s
purest rivers have attracted anglers from all over the country. The Famed Beresford Dale stretch of the river Dove is now available on day ticket (3km in
length and with mostly double bank fishing) it gives the fly fisherman a wonderful opportunity to fish in the footsteps of Charles Cotton and Isaac Walton.
Included in the price is tea and coffee and the keys to Charles Cotton’s fishing house. For more information contact the keeper on ember97uk@yahoo.co.uk

Cressbrook and Litton Flyfishers provide day ticket fishing on the River Wye in beautiful Monsal Dale. This magical stretch of water covers three quarters
of a mile and extends to both banks. Rods are limited to 4 day ticket anglers per day. For more information and prices on fishing, please click the
following link https://cressbrookandlittonflyfishers.co.uk/day-ticket-bookings-2020/

The Peacock at Rowsley offers approximately 7 miles of dry fly fishing on the River Wye between Rowsley through Bakewell. Day tickets and syndicate rods
are available. For more information on ticket prices contact the Peacock Hotel on 01629 733518. https://thepeacockatrowsley.com/fishing

New in 2017 is the Peak Angling Passport. This is a system of tokens which allows you to fly fish for wild trout on some of the local rivers which are owned by private land owners. A great system for a day’s fishing.  See the website below for more details :

http://www.peakanglingpassport.co.uk

Other contacts for day tickets are:

  • Dove: Izzak Walton Hotel, Ilam Tel. 01335 350981
  • Wye: Monsal Dale Fishery, Chatsworth, Derbyshire. Tel: 01629 640159
  • Doveridge: 01332792807
  • Carsington Water: http://www.carsingtonwater.com/fishing-information.html
  • Ladybower: www.ladybowerfisheries.co.uk
  • Tittesworth:https://www.stwater.co.uk/wonderful-on-tap/our-visitor-sites/come-visit-us/tittesworth-water/  Tel: 01538 300389
  • Lamaload: Langley Tel. 01625 619935

The Manifold River below Swainsley Farm has wonderful fly fishing for the expert (brown trout & grayling) but it is not open to the public. However, it
may be possible to arrange for our visitors to sample fishing on the Manifold – please enquire.

Coarse fishing

reservoirs and pools:

  • Biddulph Grange Country Park www.waterscape.com
  • Consall Nature Park 01782 550939
  • Deep Hayes Country Park Tel. 01538 387655
  • Rudyard Lake http://www.rudyardlake.com/fishing/
  • Turners Pool, Swythamley https://www.fishadviser.co.uk/fishery/458/Turners-Pool
  • Birch House Angling, Ednaston, Ashbourne 07786 530389 or 01332 603920 http://www.fisheries.co.uk/birchhouselakes/

 

Rock Climbing

The Peak District was one of the birth places of the modern sport and still acts as a magnet for climbers from all over Britain. Most climbs are short and
severe and offer a real test of technique – some of the world’s top mountaineers have cut their teeth on gritstone outcrops and limestone tors such as
Stanage Edge, High Tor and the Roaches. See section Outdoor Activity Providers.

Caving

Under the gleaming white limestone crags of the White Peak lies another, beautiful world, unseen except by the caver.

Show caves and mines :

Adventure caving:

  • Bagshaw Cavern https://www.cressbrook.co.uk/visits/bagshaw.php
  • Good Luck Lead Mine www.goodluckmine.org.uk
  • The Debyshire Caving Association 01335 370629
  • British Cave Research Association, Matlock 01629 580000
  • Peak District Mining Museum https://peakdistrictleadminingmuseum.co.uk

Outdoor Activity Providers:

A list of some of the companies offering courses and instruction on rock climbing, caving, orienteering, canoeing etc.

Water Sports.

There are many opportunities for sailing, canoeing and wind surfing:

Air Sports

There are a number of specialist centres offering taster sessions or full courses of instruction:

Special Interst – something different!

Birdwatching: RSPB Coombes Valley Tel. 01538 384017

Pottery: www.bankpottery.com

Painting, wildlife, nature: www.dovevalleycentre.co.uk

Train Driving: www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

Quads, archery, clay pigeon: www.yeavely-estate.co.uk

 

Clay pigeon shooting: Cold Springs Gun Club, http://www.claypigeonshootingmanchester.co.uk

Go-Karting, Quads, mini-bikes: www.swains-centre.co.uk