Back to Things to do

Local Buxworth Area

If you only want to nip out for an hour or so these are the things that are nearest to the Buxworth area and the cottage.

Bugsworth Basin

Only a few hundred metres from the cottage you will find Bugsworth Basin. The basin forms the end of the Peak Forest Canal, which in it’s heyday was the largest and busiest inland port on the narrow canal system in Britain. Quite a claim to fame for a relatively small village.
The Canal Basin is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a reminder of our industrial heritage. Today, it is unique as the only surviving canal and tramway interchange in the UK.
The Inland Waterways Protection Society website has masses of information about the history of the basin and it’s incredible restoration.
The basin was reopened to boats in 2005 and since then there have been gradual developments made to the basin to provide more information for visitors and boaters passing through. There is currently a small visitors centre that although only opened limited hours has some amazing pictures of the restoration process. Dotted round the site you will also find some new information plaques describing the buildings and activities that were part of the daily life of the basin.
If you are into photography it is a great place to go at different times of day to get some really great atmospheric shots. Have at look at some of the pictures on Flickr and you will see what I mean.
You can also find more information and pictures on these websites:
Pennine Waterways
Peak Forrest Canal homepage
The Diary of an ex-TV presenter and his life on board his boat. Part 5 of his diary covers Bugsworth Basin.

The Peak Forest Tramway Trail

The Peak Forest Tramway Trail is a footpath that runs along part of the old Peak Forest Tramway that ran from Bugsworth Canal Basin, at the head of the Peak Forest Canal, to the limestone quarries at Dove Holes Dale. The original purpose of the tramway was to enable the transportation of limestone from the quarries down to Bugsworth Canal Basin where it was put on to canal boats to be taken, via Manchester, to the Mersey Basin and the rest of the world beyond.
Parts of the trail are a bit industrial but it is still a pleasant walk / cycle and a great way to get to Whitehough and the Old Hall Inn (see Eating out)
It’s also a great place to go blackberry picking!

You can download a pdf leaflet about the Tramway here

Eccles Pike

I love going up to Eccles Pike, on a clear day and a clear evening too. The view is brilliant.

It is a short but very steep walk up from the cottage but well worth the effort and makes you feel like you have earned a glass of wine by the time you get back!

Alternatively you can take the car most of the way and park over the back of the hill. The Road is very narrow with only a few passing places and parking is limited so pick a time when you think it might be quiet i.e. not a sunny Sunday afternoon!

On the summit is a circular plaque identifying the places you can see all the way round the stunning 360 degrees panorama.

If anyone is up for a tough fell race the local running club organise the annual Eccles Pike Fell Race. The race is run in August each year and is reputably one of the oldest fell races in the country, dating back to the beginning of the century. It is renowned for being short, tough and demanding – you have been warned!

Directions

• Turn right out of the front door and follow the road round as it takes a sharp right turn at the end of the lane.
• Follow the road up until it forks and then take the right fork up Portobello.
• If you are walking take the turning signposted half way up the hill to the left and follow the path (take the map from the cottage to be sure of the route). If you are driving go straight ahead over the crest of the hill and down the other side.
• At the T junction turn left.
• Follow the road up and just at the brow of the hill you will see the Gate to Eccles Pike (with the National Trust badge) on the left.

There are a couple of small lay-bys on the left side of the road for parking.

 

Chinley Independent Chapel

If you enjoy looking round old churches Chinley Independent Chapel is worth a visit.
Built in 1711 it is a beautiful old building with an intriguing interior. The building provides some good opportunities for interesting photography too. You can find the chapel on the road that runs through the centre of Chinley towards Chapel-en-le-Frith. Just as you leave Chinley you will see a large viaduct in front of you. There is a left turning under the first arch of the viaduct signposted wash. Take this turn and the chapel is just on your right.

Chestnut Centre Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park

The park, which is only 15 minutes drive from the cottage, is spread over 50 acres of landscaped grounds in a beautiful Peak District valley. The park is home to many otters, 16 species of owls and other indigenous wildlife including, buzzards, pine martens, polecats, foxes, Scottish wildcats and deer.

When we visited we took a wheelchair and although it was hard pushing in places it was quite doable

There is a visitors centre, tea room and gift shop.
They also have a great children’s guide / treasure hunt that is very popular and encourages children to look round the whole park.

To get to the park drive from the cottage past the Navigation and turn left at the T junction. Follow the road out to the A6. Turn left and go straight across the Whaley Bridge roundabout. GO straight across the Chapel-en-le-frith roundabout and take the next left turn off the dual carriageway signposted Castleton and the Chestnut Centre. The centre is just 1K up the road on the left.

Chestnut Centre Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park
Chapel-en-le-Frith
High Peak
Derbyshire SK23 0QS
Tel: 01298 814099