Eat the view
Above: The scenic splendour of Dovedale
Above: Enjoying a guided walk
Above: Learning map reading skills is an option
Above: Tours of Buxton Opera House are available
FOOD for both the stomach and
the soul will be served up on a
plate - with the focus firmly on
delicious local produce and delectable
history and heritage - during the
fourth Peak District Walking Festival.
Walkers of all ages and abilities will
be able to get their teeth into a
mouthwatering selection of more
than 100 walks and talks throughout
the area from April 19 to 27.
Over the past few years, the Peak
District has gained a well-deserved
and growing reputation for the quality
of its locally-produced food and
drink. One of the Festival’s main aims
will be to encourage people to
sample and enjoy it - either during a
themed walk or before or afterwards,
by eating at a local pub, restaurant or
accommodation provider.
‘We want to make this a bumper
Walking Festival, and enjoying local
food will be part of the experience,’
explained organiser Jane Price, of Visit
Peak District and Derbyshire.‘There’s
a huge range of local, quality produce
for people to enjoy in the Peak
District. It’s all about adding value to
the walks and offering something a bit
different.
‘Local producers are very much
behind it, and many of them are
actually involved in the programme
we’ve put together, such as
chocolatiers David and Bridget
Golubows of Cocoadance at
Castleton and cheese makers Dairy
Crest of Hartington.’
Thus self-confessed foodies can
choose from a lusciously-named
selection of themed walks, such as
Prayers and a Picnic, a moderate
seven-mile walk including a luxury
picnic in the Goyt Valley, to
Sandpipers and Spanakopitas, which
embraces a moderate four-mile walk,
a view of a heronry and optional
refreshments at a Greek tavern in
Old Glossop.
Gourmets can also savour morning
coffee and lunch during a tour of the
organic Lower Hurst Farm,
Hartington, a Stately Secret Walk
including buffet supper with Sir
Richard Fitzherbert at Tissington or a
moderate two-mile organic farm walk
and lunch at Beechenhill Farm, Ilam.
Real ale fans, meanwhile, can slake
their thirst during Park Hall Moor and
a Pint at Little Hayfield, which includes
a 4.5 mile walk and stop to slake the
thirst at the local hostelry.
Lovers of history and heritage are
not overlooked either, for the Festival
includes tours of Buxton Opera
House, the famous Devonshire
‘Dome’, now the town-centre
campus for the University of Derby
Buxton, a walk passing the lake made
famous by Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in
the TV adaptation of ‘Pride and
Prejudice’ at Lyme Park, Disley and a
talk about ‘Gentlemen’s Residences’
in Leek. Other options include
industrial archaeology, transport , the
William Morris Town Trail in Leek and
ghost walks in Bakewell and Buxton.
For action enthusiasts, there are
more strenuous walks, as well as
activities such as indoor and outdoor
climbing, an over-50s rock climbing
and abseiling day at Windgather rocks
near Buxton, abseiling from Millers
Dale viaduct and navigation and map
reading for beginners on the hills
above Ladybower.
‘For the first time, there will also be
evening talks at Castleton Visitor
Centre, on subjects ranging from Blue
John to mountain rescue, and we
hope both day visitors and people
staying over will take the opportunity
to extend their day out by attending a
talk and then eating out at one of the
many pubs and restaurants in the
area,’ added Jane.
‘There is literally something for
everyone, for both day visitors and
tourists who are staying for longer,
and we hope that everyone will take
advantage of the excellent food and
drink that’s available here in the Peak.
Those staying over should also
look out for special offers from
local accommodation providers
throughout the Festival.’
The event embraces both guided
and self-guided walks to suit all
abilities and interests, but all
guided walks and special events
must be pre-booked. Bookings are
now being taken - pick up a
Peak District Walking Festival
2008 leaflet at one of the area’s
tourist information centres, call
Bakewell TIC on 01629 816593 or
visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com/
walkingfestivals.
For accommodation, consult
the Visit Peak District and Derbyshire
Visitor Guide 2008, available from
tourist information centres, or visit
www. v i s i t p e a k d i s t r i c t . c o m
to check availability and reserve or
book on-line. ¦