A stunning walk along the Manifold Way in the Peak District.
The Manifold Way follows the route of what was once the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway. This independent narrow-gauge railway ran from 1904 until 1934, and was known for the distinctive yellow locomotives that ran on the track, modelled upon those used in India. The line primarily acted as a service for milk trains and tourism. The Manifold Way was opened by Staffordshire County Council only 3 years after the closure of the railway, in 1937.
There are two distinct parts to the Manifold Way, the top part that runs from Wetton Mill to Weags Bridge. The bottom part then runs from Weags Bridge to the village of Waterhouses. It is possible to follow the trail further north from Wetton Mill, ultimately ending at Hulme End. Neither part is particularly difficult, and you don’t really need any special gear to complete them.
You can join both parts together, starting at Waterhouses and finishing at Wetton Mill or visa-versa, or break the walk up into two parts, as there is parking at both ends and in the middle. We actually did the walk in two parts on different days, but I will add them together for this description.
We headed into Waterhouses on the A523 and turned off at the “Ye Old Crown Hotel”, the car park is immediately on your left down a small road. It is a pay and display carpark, that only takes coins, so if you park here be prepared. From the car park, keep the buildings on your right, and head down the path that leads to the main road. Follow the road until you reach Brown End Farm. There is a carpark at the Brown End Nature reserve that is free, but is for the reserve only. Head down the path keeping the farm on your left. You can hire bikes from here, it is an easy and comfortable ride.
Keep to the path as it winds through the valley, and crosses over and back the river Hamps which flows when there has been a lot of rain.
The path carries on through the valley until it reaches the river Manifold at Beeston Tor a limestone cliff that is a popular venue for rock climbing. There are a number of caravans in a field here, keep on the path and veer round to your left, keeping the river on your right hand side. If you chose to take a right here, you can work your way on footpaths to Ilam park. We haven’t done this walk yet, but plan to in the future.
Keeping to the path you get to a free car park at Weags Bridge. There are quite a lot of spaces, and looks a good place to park up. It is about 3 1/2 miles to here. We turned around here and headed back to the car park, we completed the second part of the walk (below) on a different occasion.
We started the second part of the Manifold Way, at Wetton Mill, but will carry on from Weags Bridge for continuity. It was a really cold January day, and there was ice on the ground and a lot of mist, which made for a really good walk. Keeping to the path you follow the route of the river through the valley, there are more cliffs in this part of the walk, and in general it is more scenic.
About a mile from the car park you get to Thor’s Cave a natural cavern set in a steep limestone crag, with its huge arched entrance easily visible (and quite accessible) from the footpath below. You can take a detour from here, and explore the caves.
From the caves, stay on the path until you get to a gate that leads onto a road. There is a small car park opposite that is free. Take a left here, on either of the two roads, they go to the same place, and carry on until you reach Wetton Mill. There is a good tearoom here, that does homemade cakes and mugs of tea, perfect for a cold day. Parking here is just for the mill, however there is plenty of parking just past or on the road.
If you completed the whole walk it would be just short of six miles one way. If you only have time for one part of the walk I would recommend that you start at Wetton Mill, and return to the tea room for some cake and a cuppa.
If you would like somewhere to stay in the area, we have a lovely cottage that is available for holidays and short breaks throughout the year. Aldergrove Cottage
https://www.facebook.com/LetsLive-Holidays-103806115442908
Holiday Cottage in Ashbourne 
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