Today I began my walk from Sheffield to Manchester
My objective on the first day was to walk from the centre of Sheffield to Hope in the eastern half of the Peak District.
The walk started in earnest from Sheffield City Hall.
Then shortly after I passed the fine, early 1980s vintage, former HQ of the National Union of Mine Workers. Now a Grant Thornton branch office… sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words.
From there I walked uphill towards the University of Sheffield. In a reflection on the state of contemporary industrial relations, on the way I passed knotts of UCU comrades picketing as part of the long running industrial dispute.
After skirting the University I walked through a few nice, interesting suburbs perched high above the city centre.
I left the city streets via a footpath located at the end of a cul-de-sac of mid-20th Century houses. Then I was out walking across wooded dell’s, and windswept hillsides.
Sheffield has had a hard time since its steel industry and the coal mining which sustained its hinterland was smashed 40 years ago. Its City Council has faced horrendous cuts since 2010, however, I was amazed by how good the walking infrastructure of footpaths, signposts and information boards was.
I walked for several miles up a wonderful, and clearly very well used local beauty spot called Rivelin Valley. It is studded with pools, watercourses and crumbling archways which reveal that it was once a major industrial area. Its rivers providing motive power, until coal displaced it and industry shifted decisivley towards the Don Valley floor.
After Rivelin Valley I entered reservoir country. There were some stunning views back towards the city that the reservoir’s serve with water.
Then I headed up a short track to Stanage Pole (and back into the midlands again) the pole marks the divide between South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
There are some really spectacular views approaching Stanage Edge.
Though in my opinion this legendary Derbyshire icon is best viewed from a distance, once you have walked past it.
From Stanage Edge I continued to the lovely village of Bamford.
Then after that on relatively low level paths towards Hope.
That said they offered an excellent preview of tomorrow’s challenges…
Tomorrow I will be walking from Hope onwards to Thornsett a little village just outside New Mills where Derbyshire becomes Great Manchester.