A walk steeped in romantic legend

Brian, today's walk leader, had chosen a route from Hathersage via Little John's grave and Burbage Bridge to Stanage Edge. There we were promised spectacular views over the surrounding countryside as well as a visit to Robin Hood's cave. We would then return to Hathersage via North Lees Hall and end up with a refreshing pint in the Scotsmans Pack.

The walk started to plan but Brian had sadly failed to order the weather and our views were hampered by fog. 

We began our journey in Hathersage, which in the 19th century was the centre of the needle, pin and wire drawing industry. Brass buttons were also manufactured here and in 1847 Samuel Fox designed his Fox Frame lightweight umbrellas. Those industries, along with their smoke, vanished around 1900 although four mills still remain but now with different uses.

Hathersage also has strong literary connections. Charlotte Bronte’s best friend at school was Ellen Nussey, whose brother was vicar of Hathersage. In 1845, Charlotte stayed at the vicarage with Ellen for about three weeks to prepare for the return of the vicar and his wife from honeymoon.

During her stay Charlotte took the opportunity to explore, walking on the moors and visiting many of the houses scattered around the area. Her famous novel ‘Jane Eyre’ was set in Hathersage. She used the name of the landlord of the George Inn, a Mr Morton, who greeted her when she first arrived, as the name for her fictitious village - more of this later.

 Little John's grave.

According to the ballad tradition, Little John is commonly shown to be the only Merry Man present at Robin Hood's death. Despite a lack of historical evidence for his existence, Little John is reputed to be buried in a churchyard here. A modern tombstone marks the supposed location of his grave, which lies under an old yew tree. This grave was owned by the Nailor/Naylor family, and sometimes some variation of "Nailer" is given as being John's surname. In other versions of the legends his name is given as John Little, enhancing the irony of his nickname

 

The guys were impressed ...

 ... even Chris

The impressive lych gate at St Michael's Church

Maybe it's my fertile imagination but can't you imagine this horse as a unicorn?

Martin had a prior engagement with a horse that was allegedly going to win the 1.30pm at Cheltenham (it didn't!), so he left us at Burbage Bridge. He had to dash for the 12.40pm bus because it would be 20 to 1 if he caught it!

Andy paying his now traditional homage to a trig point on Stanage Edge.

As many will already know, Stanage Edge, or simply Stanage (from "stone edge") is a gritstone escarpment whose highest point is High Neb at 458 metres (1,503 ft) above sea level. Areas of Stanage were quarried in the past to produce grindstones, and some can still be seen on the hillside—carved, but never removed.

Stanage is also one of the most famous UK climbing venues and is home to the route Right Unconquerable (HVS 5a), which, when first climbed by Joe Brown in 1949, was considered a milestone achievement in British climbing.  Climbers have given the sections of the edge colourful, sometimes fanciful names - Marble Wall, Crow Chin, Goliath's Groove, The Tower, The Unconquerables, Mississippi Buttress,  Black Hawk, Flying Buttress

Eric is impressed

We then started the search for Robin Hood's Cave.

Photo A (below)

 

Photo B (below)

Photo C (below)

Blog quiz

Is Robin Hood's Cave shown in:

a) Photo A

b) Photo B

c) Photo C

d) None of these

Answers to be sent to www.stuffofdreams  - mark your entry "Robin Hood's cave". 

After lunch we set off for North Lees Hall.

The lonely romanticism of North Lees Hall and the legends of its erstwhile occupants, the Eyre family, attracted many writers - most famously Charlotte Bronte. She immortalised it as "Thornfield Hall" in Jane Eyre. 

The Elizabethan tower house, built of coursed rubble gritstone, was built for William Jessop in the early 1590s.

Bronte Cottage

 Hathersage Cricket Club - scene of a famous innings by Steve a few years ago.

Cricket has been played in Hathersage for some 160 years. Currently the club has two senior teams who play in the Sheaf Sports Yorkshire & Derbyshire Cricket League. Last season the 1st XI consolidated their position in the top division, while the 2nd XI missed out on promotion to Division 3 by one point.

We then adjourned to the Scotsmans Pack for a refreshing pint of Jennings Cumberland Ale. The present Scotsmans Pack Inn was built in the early 1900s, but there has been an inn on the site since the 14th century. A ‘Scotchman’ or ‘Scotsman’ is a name given to a pedlar, not necessarily from Scotland, which is how the inn derived its name.