I wouldn’t normally bother providing detailed instructions for how to get to the start of a walk but this is a superb route that you’d quite easily otherwise miss. Drive to Alstonefield then take the Wetton road but head straight on up a tiny lane soon after the right turn in Hopedale. On an Explorer map you’ll see the road you want marked as the oddly named Wall Ditch. It’s seen better days and needs taking nice and slow unless you fancy a hefty suspension repair bill but soon improves and provides magnificent views over the Manifold valley. You’ll also see the church spire in Grindon if you care to look before dropping down to the river via a couple of hairy hairpins then climbing back up to the village. Head for the car park at the church.
Following this splendid appetiser, cross the road and follow the right hand of two paths that takes you up the left hand side of two fields. It’s a fine morning after I’ve been confined to quarters courtesy of what must have been one of the worst spells of June weather for some time and I’m immediately treated to fabulous views over the hills north of Wetton. Pan right and you’ll see Thor’s Cave. Stick to the edge of the field until you come to the brow of the hill at which point you should start aiming for the left hand of two farms, following the yellow waymarkers. You should also by now have picked out the spire at Butterton. Head through the farmyard and double back down the road, then take a left up the bridleway at Hillsdale Hall. Take the left fork towards the spire but keep to the right of a dry stone wall if you want to do things by the book to drop down to a stream. The path then gradually swings left and picks up a concrete farm track to take you to the road.
Looking north towards Butterton from Hillsdale Hall.
Head right, dropping down to the idyllic ford at Butterton then forking right for the church. It’s a beautiful, out-of-the-way spot and the only doubly (or singly) thankful village in Staffordshire which means no service personnel were lost during either world war. Once you’ve been here you’ll understand why those who left to serve would have made a special effort to come home again.
Turn right at the top of the village – looking out for the plaque that commemorates its gratitude – then left up a track with fine views of moors high above the Leek-Buxton road that are well worth further exploration. It eventually peters out but try to continue in a straight line assisted by gates and more of those helpful yellow waymarkers. Pretty soon you’ll start to drop down quite dramatically. Aim slightly to the right of the road bridge in the valley. Head right when you land at Warslow Brook in search of a footbridge then follow a reasonably obvious path that follows the line of an overgrown hawthorn hedge to the road.
Turn right, immediately left for Elkstone then right after no more than 50 yards on a well walked path that heads north and turns into a track that will take you to the north west edge of Warslow. There’s a particularly welcoming bench awaiting your backside or a pub a bit further on if you must. If you opt for the bench, look right and you’ll see deep into the recesses of Thor’s Cave two miles to the south. Either way, head down the main road while checking out the impressive bulk of Ecton Hill straight ahead.
Take a right at the B road then left down School Lane. It winds its way to a concessionary path through a fine garden before a rollercoaster ride back to Grindon. Look out for a left right shimmy at the bottom of the first hill and a rather precarious crossing at the foot of the second. In between, make sure you head straight on where the track swings left for Kirksteads farm. It’s a reasonable climb up the flanks of Ossoms Hill towards the end of the walk after dropping down to Hoo Brook but nothing that will tip you over the edge. Hopefully.
Start: Grindon church.
Lunch: The Greyhound at Warslow is open all day (from noon), every day. The Black Lion at Butterton is due to reopen. Alternatively, good choice of benches in either village or back at Grindon.
Song: It’s 50 years since Jethro Tull’s Living in the Past hit the heady heights of number three in the singles chart. Happy and I’m smiling…
Distance/map: 7.5 miles, three hours and 20 minutes. OS Explorer OL24 The Peak District/White Peak Area.
Highlight: The bit after Warslow in the picture above.
OS © Crown copyright [2019] CS-29042-R6R3Z6
Walks with welf 