We drove around looking at the different towns and villages when we arrived in The Peak District. We had planned to stay at Edale but you had to be a serious walker to stay there! We selected Castleton with it interesting history and the local caverns and taverns. We stayed at " The Ramblers Rest thinking that we would be doing the resting whilst others did the rambling! It didn't turn out that way.
We are staying in a quieter part of the village in a medieval building but our room has a lovely picture window with a stunning view over the peaks towards Peveril Castle.
On the first evening, we enjoyed a bottle of wine as we admired the landscape before going out to a fabulous Italian restaurant called 1530, yes it was built in 1530!
After a huge breakfast fit for a rambler, we headed out. We stopped at the base of Peveril Castle but didn't climb to the top of the Keep. We were still planning to rest rather than ramble.
A nice place to rest!
All that remains of Peveril Castle.
We enjoyed walking around this beautiful town. Lots of quaint shops as well as the taverns. Then we found out about the Caverns! At a jewellers they told us the story of Blue John. Behind the town is a hill that was mined for lead. They discovered seams of a gem in blue-yellow colours that is only found in this one hillside.
Early samples were sent to France and correspondence came back about Bleu et jaune so it was thus named and not from John who dug the tunnel!We made a purchase and had to visit the caves, thus the walking began.
Walking in the town.
The entrance to The Peak cavern. Also known as "The Devils Arse" due to the noise of the wind in the entrance.
We had a long walk to the Treac Cavern the home of Blue John. We selected and polished a piece each and did a small group guided tour into the hillside. Up and down steps and under narrow sections of roof. It was spectacular not only for the veins of Blue John but also for the cave formations.
It was difficult to capture the rich blue in the total darkness of the cave.
There was a no touch rule but you were encouraged to give "Happy" a pat on entry.
In 1,600 years these two above will join up. The formations were excellent. Later we rambled our way back to our rooms and our waiting bottle of champagne. We did make it out to dinner at the Nag's Head.
We are staying in a quieter part of the village in a medieval building but our room has a lovely picture window with a stunning view over the peaks towards Peveril Castle.
On the first evening, we enjoyed a bottle of wine as we admired the landscape before going out to a fabulous Italian restaurant called 1530, yes it was built in 1530!
After a huge breakfast fit for a rambler, we headed out. We stopped at the base of Peveril Castle but didn't climb to the top of the Keep. We were still planning to rest rather than ramble.
A nice place to rest!
All that remains of Peveril Castle.
We enjoyed walking around this beautiful town. Lots of quaint shops as well as the taverns. Then we found out about the Caverns! At a jewellers they told us the story of Blue John. Behind the town is a hill that was mined for lead. They discovered seams of a gem in blue-yellow colours that is only found in this one hillside.
Early samples were sent to France and correspondence came back about Bleu et jaune so it was thus named and not from John who dug the tunnel!We made a purchase and had to visit the caves, thus the walking began.
Walking in the town.
The entrance to The Peak cavern. Also known as "The Devils Arse" due to the noise of the wind in the entrance.
We had a long walk to the Treac Cavern the home of Blue John. We selected and polished a piece each and did a small group guided tour into the hillside. Up and down steps and under narrow sections of roof. It was spectacular not only for the veins of Blue John but also for the cave formations.
It was difficult to capture the rich blue in the total darkness of the cave.
There was a no touch rule but you were encouraged to give "Happy" a pat on entry.
In 1,600 years these two above will join up. The formations were excellent. Later we rambled our way back to our rooms and our waiting bottle of champagne. We did make it out to dinner at the Nag's Head.
1 comment:
Looks like a fascinating day with lots of exercise to walk off that hiker's breakfast!
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