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WALK 2

Morridge and Upper Elkstone

Start/Finish	Rey Memorial on Morridge
Distance	8km (5 miles)
Time	3¼ hrs
Terrain	Hilly, with tracks and field-paths and at least one bog to cross in the dell below Upper Elkstone
Refreshments	The Mermaid Inn, in an isolated position on the Morridge ridge-top road
Parking	(GR 028596) A hugely popular scenic viewpoint, surveying the beginnings of highland Britain, with The Roaches and Hen Cloud gritstone scarps prominent

Simply told, the central limestone plateau of the White Peak is flanked to east and west by gritstone moors. But they are not mirror images. The scarp/dip formation of the eastern edges fails to materialise on the west. On that side the millstone grit was subjected to pressure, which created a folded structure. The outcrops that do occur do not face east despite the north/south axis of the folding. In the main, this is moorland country: the domain of grouse, curlew and sheep, a splendid place to wander. Far-ranging views, obtained particularly from the Rey Viewpoint, Merryton Low and Royledge, complement serene moments experienced when delving into the attractive headwaters of the Hamps and Warslow Brook valleys. Morridge (‘the moor ridge’), that long arm of high ground extending south from Axe Edge, discreetly defines the southwestern limits of Peakland, a horizon between the populated plain and the lonely heartland. The walk explores the source catchment of the Hamps, visiting two fine viewpoints – Elkstone Hill and Merryton Low – whilst not forgetting the start point itself, a popular casual viewpoint of motorists. The road section during the latter part of the walk is ameliorated by the wider views of heather moor and accommodating verges.

The topograph, a splendid epitaph for any true lover of the great outdoors, is dedicated to a man of Hanley: ‘Paul Rey – rambler and world traveller – who inspired so many with his love of the countryside’. The situation is quite breathtaking and an inspiration for visitors, commanding the most remarkable view over the birth of upland England, with attention focused upon the striking escarpments of Hen Cloud and The Roaches. In context with this guide’s companion volume this viewpoint overlooks the beginnings of the Dark Peak.

From the lay-by walk back to the road junction and bear left and left again over the cattle grid signed to Upper Green Farm onto the open road leading east. Passing a roped down thorn bush the tarmac ends, and the track continues as regular farm access. Cross a second cattle grid, heading on down the gravel track and through a gateway into a hollowed pasture with evidence of wall-stone quarrying. At the new barn branch right over the cattle grid and continue down the middle of the field (with yet more evidence of old quarrying) to enter Upper Green farmyard. Bear right by the corrugated sheds to a gate and muddy access to a pasture field. Traverse the field to the far wet corner; cross the wall-stile to enter a fenced passage with integral horse jumps. The fenced passage swings right to a stile onto a fenced farm track.

Hen Cloud and The Roaches from the Morridge road

Turn left down by the stone barn and through the gate into the tidy farmyard at Lower Green, equine in every way. Bear right, seeking the stile down in the dip ahead to join a further fenced farm track. Turn left to cross the Hamps via the footbridge and galvanised hand-gate tight to the right of the farm bridge. The youthful leaps of the Hamps are temporarily hampered by two ponds immediately downstream. The river’s name is identical with the Welsh hafhesp, meaning ‘summer-dry’, which is true about the river’s passage below Waterhouses, but not here!

Ignore the inviting open farm access track, cross the plank footbridge and head up the soggy pasture bank ahead. Climb to a wall squeeze-stile where perhaps you’ll be tempted to step onto the track, but the target is a further wall-stile to the right, and above this a wicket-gate where the footpath correctly joins the ridge-top road. Cross over by the facing stile and clamber onto the top of Elkstone Hill (425m/1394ft) with its white-painted Ordnance Survey pillar sited upon a Bronze Age tumulus.

Discriminating walkers (reader of this guide amongst their number) can discover the merit of this location as a viewpoint with an eastern bias, down the Warslow Brook valley to Ecton Hill and the Dove Dale hills about Wetton and Alstonefield. The distinctive bedraggled clump of trees on Minninglow, 10 miles distant as the crow flies, is visible on a line directly above the Ecton copper mine spoil (Dutchman Level), slightly left of Johnson’s Knoll clump. To the southeast Hazelton Clump, 7 miles off, also claims attention above Ilam.

A horse-drawn hay-making rake of 1919 at Manor Farm, Upper Elkstone, reborn as a garden ornament

The footpath takes an uncompromising line straight off the hill due east (lower down the author slipped on the damp grass so be warned!). Three wicket-gates lead onto the track at Underhill Farm. Spot the old dovecote in the gable end. Go left through the gate and along the access track. After a red gate the access from Hill House joins from the left, the track advancing as Well Lane into Upper Elkstone.

Bear right down the village road. Before turning left towards Manor Farm, make a point of visiting the tiny parish church.

A plaque on the inside wall states that the church was built for the princely sum of £200 in the year of our Lord 1788 by William Grindon of Stonefold. The interior is handsome with shields and a fine gallery, all in all a charming little meeting house.

Now duly take the cul-de-sac lane (footpath sign) leading north to Manor Farm. Pass through the gate to the right of the farmhouse and by the new house and on down a green track through gates into the valley pasture. Bear round by the fence corner down to the footbridge in the valley bottom. Directly from the bridge cross a fence-stile and navigate the uncharted waters of the ensuing rushy marsh! (Duckboarding would be a useful addition to path furniture.) Stepping onto firmer ground keep up the right-hand side of the side valley ahead, latterly coping with further rushy ground to enter the lower yard at Herbage. Spot the old stone cattle troughs to the right. The unenclosed farm track leads up beyond the farmhouse entrance, winding on through the pasture to a cattle grid onto the Leek Road from Warslow.

Blake Mere with glider

Turn left and follow the verge to where an unenclosed minor road signed ‘Royal Cottage’ forks right. Follow this almost to the brow, then step onto the moorland pasture left at two stones, opposite where a fence begins on the right. A tangible path leads to the Ordnance Survey column with its poignant memorial plate. The presence of a poppy wreath on the author’s visit was a very real reminder of the importance many place in remembering all those who commit their lives in the name of their country wherever duty calls – for all this records a local branch of ‘Dad’s Army’! Merryton Low at 489m/1604ft is a splendid viewpoint.

Remembrance wreaths on Merryton Low

A green track leads directly to the road, though being open access one may choose to a stride out along the rough moor path south-southwest to the Warslow/Morridge junction and minimise contact with the Queen’s highway. The walk passes by the Mermaid Inn, which is open throughout the day: a welcome late-in-the-walk port of call. Its name derives from the legendary ‘Lady of Blake Mere’; the dark, reputedly bottomless pool is inhabited by a legendary mermaid who reveals herself mid-week at midnight.

At the far end of the car park stands a handsome modern beacon with a curlew motif plate hanging below.

Follow the sinuous road verge to regain the Rey Viewpoint. The bench might prove a useful perch on which to remove your boots, an activity that can be adversely affected by the exposed situation in the prevailing eye of a southwesterly breeze.