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Flagg Walks Please try one of the walks below or let us know of your own favourites: Please always remember to follow the Countryside Code and do not take undue risks. Flagg - Monyash approx 1.5 miles From the centre of Flagg head south on Mycock Lane. Walk past the recycling bank and continue straight ahead, leaving the road and joining a track. Pass over the cattle grid and keep with the wall on your right, in the corner of which you will find a stile into the next field. Keeping the wall on your left, cross the field and over the next stile. Cross the next field in a diagonal/right direction leading to a stile over which is a track. Follow the track until if forks and bear left. Continue until the track meets the road at the bottom of Chapel street in Monyash. Cross the road and follow the footpath on the right taking you into the centre of the beautiful village of Monyash Flagg - Chelmorton approx 1.5 miles From the centre of Flagg head west up Main Road When the road forks, bear left past Town Head House and follow the finger post on the right, before you reach the next farm. Wlk through this 'lumpy' field and through the gateway into the next field. Cross this field and bear diagonally to your right. Over the next field and right following the wall to the stile and over onto the road. Go a short way left on the road, past the turning for Taddington, and take the right turning to Chelmorton. Follow the lane for a short way until you see a stile on your left leading you into a steep, downhill field. Follow the wall on your left down the field and throught the gate into a small yard area. Travel through the yard and you will come out into the centre of the quaint village of Chelmorton.  CIRCULAR WALKS AROUND FLAGG WALK 1 FLAGG – KNOTLOW – SPARKLOW – POMEROY – FLAGG DISTANCE: Approximately 5 miles Flagg is a typical upland village of the White Peak, encased in traditional limestone walls where often the air is fresh, clear and crisp. There are far-reaching views to be enjoyed on this walk, apart from on days when the hill mist sets in of course! Leave Flagg by heading south on Mycock Lane which leads past the bottle banks and recycling area. Shortly afterwards at the sharp bend in the road turn down the drive towards Knotlow Farm, but after the cattle grid follow the footpath signs which will take you through fields and stiles on a route which forms part of The Limestone Way. In the fields around Knotlow there are many mounds and hollows, evidence of the extensive mine workings which were part Derbyshire’s rich lead mining industry. It is said that the crystal clear water of the river Lathkill was at one time tracked back to its true source under these hilltops, although it does not emerge from underground until about three miles to the south-east. You will come to a derelict farm building and a junction of paths where Blackwell Lane and Cross Lane head off to Monyash. It is interesting to note that this old muddy track was at one time the route of the Derby-Manchester road. In 1820 it was referred to as a pack-and-prime way. The green prime way being for splay-footed oxen drawing carts, as opposed to packhorse routes which often passed along stone flagged paths. To continue on the walk you turn right just after the building and walk up a long straight track known as Hutmoor Butts. This heads south-west and will take you to the A515 Buxton-Ashbourne Road. At certain times of the year the fields around Hutmoor Butts are filled with migratory birds such as fieldfare and starling, which swarm in the sky in every-changing waves before landing for a short while in the trees and fields. The views from this track are fabulous and far reaching and it is also possible to see jumps and parts of the course to the Flagg Races circuit which is an annual point-to-point race held on Easter Tuesday at Flagg Moor. You will eventually emerge at the main road by the side of the impressive Bull I’ Th’ Thorn Inn which claims to date from 1472, and was at one time known as Hurdlow House. The sign above the door is carved in solid oak and depicts a bull entangled in a thorn bush. The custom of naming inns and public houses dates back to the 13th century. At that time the law demanded that any hostelry selling a new brew should project a pole from the wall of the alehouse so that the authorities were aware and could make checks. As alehouses multiplied it became necessary for them to be identified in some way, and so the custom began of hanging a sign from the pole with a name. Some of the oldest names contained references to the Sun, Moon and Stars, whilst later many animal names were used. WITH EXTREME CARE cross over the main road which for quite some distance follows the route of an old Roman road, and go to a stile. Now bearing left, head across the fields towards Sparklow which was established at the time the railway was introduced. Some of these fields were awarded SSSI status a few years ago because they had been traditionally grazed with no intensive farming methods or chemicals being introduced to the land. On reaching the High Peak Trail which was established following the closure of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway line, you may wish to call for refreshments at The Royal Oak. From here you will head north on the trail which now forms a safe, traffic-free route of more than 17 miles for walkers, pedal cyclists and horse riders. The trail runs from the High Peak Junction near Cromford to Dowlow, just over a mile away to the north. Follow the trail for about ¾-mile until you reach a high arched bridge above you, then climb the steps on the right, cross the stile and head across the fields to Pomeroy where you will emerge back at the A515 through a yard by the side of a small nursery. WITH EXTREME CARE cross back over the main road to the Duke of York (you could treat this walk as a bit of a pub crawl!) and go over the stile by a footpath sign. The return to Flagg is across fields and stiles. On reaching pasture lane you can either go straight ahead across the fields, emerging on the main street at Flagg, or turn left and follow the lane down through Back o’ th’ Hill Farm and on past the fabulous 17th century Townhead Farm with its mullioned and transomed windows to arrive at the top end of the village. All around you are a network of dry stone walls. It is not surprising therefore that at one time the Peak Dry Stone Walling Contest was held every three years at Flagg. In August 1938 a dilapidated old wall close to Back o’ th’ Hill Farm was pulled down, and together with some new stone, was the setting for the competition. Competitors had to erect four and a half yards of wall to a height of fifty seven inches between the hours of 10am and 5pm. It is estimated that a skilled ‘waller’ can build seven yards of wall in a day. A special section was held for ‘wallers’ under 18 years of age. To judge the walls, marks were awarded and a distinguished visitor would be invited to present the prizes. On this particular occasion however, the remark was made, quote “If the walls of Jericho had been built by these competitors, they would not have fallen at the sound of the trumpet!” WALK 2 FLAGG – POMEROY – BLINDER LANE – TOWN HEAD – FLAGGDISTANCE: Approximately 4 ½ milesFlagg is surrounded by rich pasture and a network of footpaths, tracks, trails and old miner’s paths. The route of this walk includes sections of all these, with panoramic views of the Peak District. Leave Flagg by following the footpath sign on the corner of Mycock Lane by the bottle banks and recycling area that guides you across the fields to Pasture Lane. Turn left for a few yards before following another series of stiles and footpaths which take you to The Duke of York at Pomeroy. WITH EXTREME CARE cross over the main A515 road and go through the entrance to Street Farm (which no doubt takes its name from the fact that this stretch of road dates back to Roman times) and follow the footpath sign for the path to access the High Peak Trail. You should drop down onto the trail at a high arched bridge, by means of a short series of steps. Now turn right and follow the trail to its end, where there are spoil heaps and warning signs for Dowlow Quarry. The High Peak Trail was established following the closure of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway line and now forms a safe, traffic-free route of more than 17 miles for walkers, pedal cyclists and horse riders. The trail runs from the High Peak Junction near Cromford to Dowlow. This is such a popular and picturesque area that you are also following part of the Midshires Way and Pennine Bridleway – two other established long distance routes. You may well see the relevant markers from time to time on posts and gates. At the end of the trail turn right and walk up the track to meet the A515 again. Use the roadside path to the indicated crossing point and TAKE EXTREME CARE as you cross over. Just to the left of the junction with Blinder Lane there is an interesting marker stone in the grass verge which is generally overlooked. This marks the boundary between two of the four townships of Hartington. Because the parish was so large, it was divided into quarters: Upper Hartington Quarter, Middle Hartington Quarter, Town Quarter and Nether Quarter. Here is the boundary between the Upper and Middle Quarters. Continue straight ahead up Blinder Lane, and after passing Blinder House follow the rough track of Highstool Lane from where there are superb views eastwards towards Stanton Moor with Harboro Rocks on the distant horizon. The upland region of the White Peak looks like a wonderful patchwork quilt of varying shades of green, draped over the landscape. Towards the end of the lane you catch a glimpse of Combs Moss and the hills around Buxton which were hiding behind Calton Hill. After almost a mile, Highstool Lane ends at a crossroads which was at one time known as Chelmorton Thorn. Although Chelmorton was not mentioned in the Domesday Book for some reason, it is felt sure to have been a Saxon village. In the Middle Ages it was traditional to plant a sturdy thorn bush at a crossways or change of direction, which is how this junction of old routes gained its title. Turn right and follow Flagg Lane for about 25 yards before crossing over another stile and setting off once again over a series of fields which will bring you to Town Head at the top end of Flagg. You should emerge at the side of Town Head Farm which is a fabulous 17th century property with mullioned and transomed windows. Flagg is a linear village being laid out in an almost straight line. It is still a strong farming community with several working dairy farms – a rarity in the 21st century. At the bottom end of the village is Flagg Nursery school and Village Hall. Flagg Hall opposite the Methodist Chapel is said to date back to the 16th century, having associations with the Dales and Fynnes who were old Derbyshire families. It’s most noted resident however was a ‘haunted skull’ referred to in old books, although I am not sure of its current whereabouts. Years ago when the skull was in residence it was reputed that if it were removed then great misfortune would befall the owners of the Hall. Attempts were evidently made to bury it in the 19th century but when the funeral cortege neared the graveyard the horses refused to proceed and despite any encouragement by the coachman, they reared and stamped so much that he was forced to return the vehicle to Flagg and the skull was replaced. The true identity of the skull remained a mystery, although one theory was that a surgeon who once lived at Flagg Hall and practiced locally obtained it from ‘resurrectionists’. The walk ends with a stroll down Flagg’s main street, and possibly a cup of tea and slice of cake at the Edge Close Farm Tearoom. WALK 3 FLAGG – TOWN HEAD – CHELMORTON THORN – CHELMORTON – LIMESTONE WAY - FLAGG DISTANCE: Approximately 4 miles This circular walk takes in a visit to Chelmorton where there is a very good pub with excellent food! The route follows paths through fields and stiles, quiet country lanes and an old miners track below Chelmorton Low. From the hilltops you will have the most amazing views of the surrounding White Peak countryside stretching towards the gritstone moors of the Dark Peak. Walk to the top of the village at Town Head and turn down Pasture Lane on the left. At the sharp corner you take the footpath which runs between the fabulous 17th century Town Head Farm and High Stool Farm which then leads across a series of half a dozen or so fields and stiles to emerge just before the junction at Chelmorton Thorn. Although Chelmorton was not mentioned in the Domesday Book for some reason, it is felt sure to have been a Saxon village. In the Middle Ages it was traditional to plant a sturdy thorn bush at a crossways or change of direction, which is how this junction of old routes gained its title. After crossing the last stile turn left and head towards the crossroads, then continue over the brow of the hill and walk down the road for about 75 yards before turning right on the back lane to Chelmorton. On reaching the main street turn right and walk up the hill with the church on your right and the Church Inn on your left. St John the Baptist church dates in part from the early thirteenth century and has an Elizabethan porch and a Tudor doorway. It contains many interesting features including a very rare carved stone screen separating the nave from the choir. The parish register dates from 1589 and contains some unusual names such as Cutbeard and Sabrae from the seventeenth century, and Exuperious and Silence from the eighteenth century. Up in the tower beneath the octagonal 15th century spire are five bells, two of which were re-cast in 1960 using metal taken from the bells of Derwent Church that has now been submerged beneath the waters of Derwent Reservoir. One bell is said to carry the inscription “I sweetly tolling, men do call, to taste on meats that feeds the soole.” Chelmorton is the second highest village in England, beaten only by nearby Flash which is over the county border into Staffordshire. It is a classic example of a linear village as is Flagg, its formation arising from dwellings following the main street or water course. With the medieval Enclosures Act, each cottage was allocated a strip of land behind it which can still be seen today. Fields beyond this are of a more rectangular shape and were formed around 1800. Now it is time for your reward should The Church Inn opposite be open! Continue up the hill and onto the wonderful little track behind the church passing a bubbling little stream which is called Illy Willy Water. This ancient path crosses old mine workings with mounds and hollows which in the spring are covered with wild flowers including tiny yellow pansies. In summer there are butterflies in all directions and the skies above are filled with the whistling tunes of skylark. After crossing the rough field where it is easy to make out the rake or line of old lead workings, you will emerge onto Pillwell Lane which forms part of the Pennine Bridleway. Turn right and follow the lane down to the junction. Now turn left and walk along Moor Lane for about 400 yards before turning right down Green Lane which is on the Limestone Way long distance path. This then takes you back to Flagg which you can see in the distance before you as a landmark, returning back to Town Head. WALK 4 FLAGG – KNOTLOW – MONYASH DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 MILES This is not a circular route but is a lovely walk to Monyash where there is a superb pub and tea rooms. Leave Flagg by heading down Mycock Lane and past the bottle banks. At the sharp corner you walk straight ahead and follow the drive to Knotlow Farm, crossing over the cattle grid and then heading right to a stile in the corner of the field with the farm on your left. You are now following a short section of the Limestone Way long distance path which is some 50 miles long and runs from Castleton on the edge of the Dark Peak to Rocester in Staffordshire. After crossing a couple of fields and stiles you will come to a walled track which leads to a junction of paths by the side of a derelict farm building. This muddy track was at one time the route of the Derby-Manchester road. In 1820 it was referred to as a pack-and-prime way. The green prime way being for splay-footed oxen drawing carts, as opposed to a packhorse route which often passed along stone flagged paths. At the junction turn left and follow Blackwell Lane which leads away from the derelict building. On the brow of a little rise you will come to a small copse of trees on your left where you may wish to pop over a stile and go on a short path through the trees to see the gated shaft of Wharf Mine. A little further down the track on the right is a stile in a small field which contains the entrance to an old cavern and further mine workings. Continue down the track until it meets the road at the side of Dalehouse Farm then turn right to walk into Monyash. Notice the tiny pinfold on the right where stray animals would have been kept awaiting collection when their owners had been established. On your left is a tiny old toll cottage which is now a holiday let. Continue into Monyash by walking down Chapel Street to the village green where you will find the Bulls Head and Old Smithy Tea Rooms, both providing excellent refreshments. On the village green you will see the old market cross – Monyash was granted its market charter back in 1340. Monyash was at one time an industrious village with a flint tool factory in prehistoric times, whilst candles and ropes were made in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Great Barmote Court of the High Peak lead mining area was held at The Bulls Head twice a year, with 24 members attending. The Steward or Barmaster represented the Crown and his word was the law. He could impose fines, dispossess a miner if he failed to comply with the mining code and even act as Coroner over fatalities. The Monyash Barmote court looked after the vast Kings Field which covered some 115 square miles. The Church of St Leonard’s, which is further up the main street, is mainly 14th century but has parts dating back to the 12th century. The interior contains an old chest said to be 700 years old.. There is also the interesting feature of a buttress pierced with a lancet window. |
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