Where the trail crosses the river, viaducts lift it over the valley floor. The monsal trail in derbyshires peak district is a great family friendly cycle route. Monsal trail cycle hire is part of hassop station hassop station is the main cafe and outdoor area on the monsal trail. The staff were all helpful and friendly and the food in the stables bar was very nice. The peak district is famed for excellent cycle routes and the monsal trail is certainly one of the best. Join andrew white and the team from walks around britain as they discover fantastic short walks between 28 miles with stunning views and. Cycling the tunnels of the monsal trail in derbyshires peak. If you dont book a flexible rate, you may not be entitled to a refund. Monsal trail bakewell all you need to know before you go. Up until 2011, parts of the trail were only accessible to walkers.
A short travel documentary taking you on a journey down the monsal trail in the peak district, uk. Monsal trail bakewell 2020 all you need to know before. The spacious, elegant old station building is complemented by a large sun terrace fronting the monsal trail for balmy sunny days and outside dining. If youre keen to find out why elizabeth bennet preferred the company of rocks and mountains to young men, hop on an electric bicycle and ride the monsal trail. Monsal trail half marathon 21km running route near. Four of the longer tunnels are lit during daylight hours, dawn to. The monsal trail is a cycling, horse riding and walking trail in the derbyshire peak district.
Winding its way through the heart of the peak district national park, the monsal trail follows the route of the former midland railway main line linking london, derby and manchester. It then follows the trail northwards, stopping to look at the history of each of the former stations along the trail, plus other points of interest such as the picturesque headstone viaduct. May, 2015 a short travel documentary taking you on a journey down the monsal trail in the peak district, uk. Louise maskill and mark titterton the eight circular walks in this book will guide you along the length of the monsal trail and around many of the surrounding footpaths and bridleways, exploring the area and introducing you to some of the peak districts most beautiful, tranquil and historic limestone dales.
Cressbrook, monsal dale, great longstone, hassop and bakewell, offering. Cycling the tunnels of the monsal trail in derbyshires. Monsal trail blackwell mill cycle hire in the derbyshire peak district. The monsal trail is a glorious trail for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I read about the monsal trail in a bill bryson book and so i had high expectations. The trail is a waymarked route with coordinated interpretation panels and listening posts to help people enjoy all it has to offer. Monsal trail bakewell 2020 what to know before you go. This guide to derbyshire features 50 mapped walks from two to ten miles, to suit all abilities. The monsal trail features in chiz dakins guidebook cycling in the peak district route 15 buxton to bakewell loop so the trail now runs from bakewell to wyedale just west of chee tor and the awkward descent and footpath across the river at littondale on the interim route is no longer needed. A great trail with so much history, it may have rained all the day i walked it but well worth it. Jan 12, 2018 also a little to the east of the station a platelayers hut is also in situ. Had a good impression from when i phoned to book bikes and no answer on phone.
Full of history, some relics of the time of steam train uk can be found along. Also a little to the east of the station a platelayers hut is also in situ. Fantastic location situated with views over monsal dale and good access to the monsal trail and numerous other walks. A keen walker with interests in transport and history, alistair has walked the monsal trial for 20 years. Monsal trail walk peak district, england 10adventures. It was constructed from a section of the former manchester, buxton, matlock and midlands junction railway, built by the midland railway in 1863 to link manchester with london, which closed in 1968. If you enjoy stunning scenery then this is worth having a try.
Of course you must stop on the famous monsal viaduct and take in the view. The trail follows the route of the old midland railway which closed for the last time in 1968, and a number of the old stations remain. Stock up on bakewell tarts and put on those cycle clips eight and a half glorious miles await. Monsal trail cycle hire is open 7 days a week 95, you can hire adults and kids bikes and trailers, bikes with baby seats, tandems and electric bikes.
Nestled in the heart of the stunning peak district, this hotel enjoys beautiful views over monsal dale valley, and hearty, seasonal food. This fully illustrated guide contains a series of eight, easy going, circular walks based around the monsal trail, a 24 milelong recreational footpath and cycle way which has been formed from the old midland railway line. Opened in 1971, and now a part of the national cycle network, it stretches for miles 21 km from parsley hay in the north to ashbourne. Monsal trail things to do in the peak district and derbyshire. Following work by the peak district national park authority using. The trail runs along the former midland railway line for 8.
Today, the trail was quiet but for the odd rambler, and it was easy to pick up a bit of speed as a result. It has many breath taking views along the way and you can feel the history as you walk along it. In 1982 the peak district national park established the monsal trail, a long distance path that uses many miles of the former mr route including the section that passes through monsal dale station. Where the gentle contours of the railway meet steep outcrops of harder rock, tunnels cut through. A former railway line, it is eight and half miles long and runs from one mile south east of bakewell, to the head of chee dale. Enjoy the half term sunshine on our terrace, watch the world go by on the monsal trail. Tunnels have been closed, but alternative paths round them created not suitable for disabled people. Cycling groups do not slam rail line conversion proposal. The monsal trail is just under 9 miles in length running from the coombs road viaduct, about a mile south of bakewell to blackwell mill junction, 3 miles or so from buxton. The best cycle hire prices on the monsal trail blackwell mill situated at the start of the magnificent monsal trail, in the peak district national park.
Jul 30, 2017 the monsal trail in derbyshires peak district is a great family friendly cycle route. The tissington trail is a bridleway, footpath and cycleway in derbyshire, england, along part of the trackbed of the former railway line connecting ashbourne to buxton. Monsal trail discover derbyshire and the peak district. Monsal trail peak district cycling biking routes, events. The monsal trail provides a glimpse of the history between man and nature in the peak district, including lime kilns and the magnificent monsal head viaduct. Monsal trail bakewell all you need to know before you. Opened in 2011 it encompasses a cafe, book shop, gift shop, cycle hire and bike shop. Fully illustrated with maps and photographs of julia walking the routes and the spectacular surrounding landscapes, julia bradburys railway walks will inspire you to don your walking boots and explore britains lost rail empire. Monsal trail bakewell, derbyshire tour agency, landmark. It takes its name from the village of tissington, which it skirts. Its a gentle gradient with several long lit tunnels you can cycle through imagining yourself as a train. We can also boast a large outdoor covered seating area with wendy houses to keep the little ones entertained, and any dog walkers dry.
We hire our bikes, trailers and weehoos from blackwell mill cycle hire based right at the start of the trail, at the buxton end. Etched for part of its length onto a ledge above the river wye, it offers some grand vistas as well as bringing function to the listed viaducts at monsal head and millers dale. This walk begins at the main southern access point of the monsal trail at the former bakewell station. Interpretation explaining the former history of the route has also been installed. Full of history, some relics of the time of steam train uk can be found along its length. Moncal trail blackwell mill cycle hire this is our all time favourite day out as a family. Built in the 1860s through spectacular terrain, the line moved noted victorian railway author f. There are hundreds of interesting things to see along the monsal trail including wildlife, geology, industrial and rail heritage. Full of history, some relics of the time of steam train uk can be found along its. Plenty of places to stop and admire the view, a great cafe at monsal head, hobbs cafe, great coffee and a very friendly owner. Monsal trail and tunnels walking accessible derbyshire. We can order books at your request, usually with next day delivery to our shop for you to collect.
The book features all the practical detail you need, accompanied by fascinating background reading on the history and wildlife of the area, and clear mapping for ease of use. The monsal trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and. Englands popular monsal trail risks being grubbed up and converted. Buy monsal trail then and now 2nd by alistair william gordon lofthouse isbn. Walking and cycling on the monsal trail, an old, disused railway track. Finally, admire the historical highlights of york and sublime university city of cambridge on route back to london. There are interesting things to look at on route and the old railway history is.
The monsal trail follows the river wye as it wends its way from west to east, rising in buxton and eventually joining the river derwent a couple of miles beyond bakewell. Book your tickets online for monsal trail, bakewell. Monsal trail half marathon 21km running route near bakewell. Derbyshire heritage walks the monsal trail bakewell to buxton. Phone and book and enjoy a great day blackwell mill cycle hire monsal trail tripadvisor bordersgirl. Monsal trail brief history by john merrill former railway line that linked matlock to buxton but ceased use in the mid 1960s. The monsal trail follows a part of the former manchester, buxton, matlock and midlands junction railway, it was built by the midland railway company in 1863 to link manchester with london. It was created as a part of my dissertation project, whist studying at the university of salford. Monsal trail bakewell 2020 all you need to know before you. Monsal trail history peak district online, peak district. The section from bakewell to little longstone is suitable for cyclists and horse riders. Monsal trail bakewell updated april 2020 top tips before. We found a great carpark at monsal head, this enables us to walk down to the viaduct and through the tunnel.
Across them was laid the monsal trail a ninemile path linking blackwell mill junction, east of buxton, with a bridge over coombs road on the matlock side of bakewell. Monsal trail things to do in the peak district and. Derbyshire heritage walks the monsal trail bakewell to. The monsal trail is a renowned cycle and walking route that follows a section of the old manchester london railway built in 1863. Guests can enjoy a drink and a hearty meal in the former stable and award winning restaurant, or relax in its lounge, all of which have open fires blazing in the cold winter months. The monsal trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the peak district s most spectacular limestone dales.
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