Limestone Way
Encyclopedia
The Limestone Way is a long-distance bridleway in Derbyshire
, England
. It runs through the White Peak
of the Peak District National Park, from Castleton south east to Rocester
over the county boundary in Staffordshire
. It originally ran to Matlock, but was diverted to its current, longer route to join up with the Staffordshire Way
. The trail is named for the limestone
scenery along its route. It was created by the West Derbyshire District Council
(now Derbyshire Dales
).
, past Peak Forest
, down Hay Dale and Peter Dale, parallel to Monks Dale then through the village of Millers Dale
. It then passes Blackwell and runs through Flagg
and Monyash
, across Cales Dale and past Youlgreave
through Bradford Dale. The route then continues past Robin Hood's Stride
to the villages of Elton
, Winster
and Bonsall
, after which it crosses the Midshires Way
. The trail runs through Parwich
and crosses the Tissington Trail
before running through Tissington
itself and Thorpe
, then down into Dovedale
at Ellastone
on its approach to Rocester. Spurs link Bonsall to Matlock (along the old route of the path) and from Thorpe to Ashbourne
.
Details of connecting routes may be found on the Limestone Way page of the Long Distance Walkers' Association website.
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It runs through the White Peak
White Peak
The White Peak is the lower, southern part of the Peak District in England. In contrast to the Dark Peak, the underlying limestone is not capped by impervious millstone grit, so caves and dry river valleys are common features of the area...
of the Peak District National Park, from Castleton south east to Rocester
Rocester
Rocester is a village and civil parish in the East Staffordshire district of Staffordshire, England. Its name is spelt Rowcestre in the Domesday Book.-Geography:...
over the county boundary in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. It originally ran to Matlock, but was diverted to its current, longer route to join up with the Staffordshire Way
Staffordshire Way
The Staffordshire Way is a long distance walk in Staffordshire, England. The path links with the Cheshire Gritstone Trail, the Heart of England Way and the North Worcestershire Path.- The route :...
. The trail is named for the limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
scenery along its route. It was created by the West Derbyshire District Council
Derbyshire Dales
Derbyshire Dales is a local government district in Derbyshire, England. Much of the district is situated in the Peak District, although most of its population lies along the River Derwent....
(now Derbyshire Dales
Derbyshire Dales
Derbyshire Dales is a local government district in Derbyshire, England. Much of the district is situated in the Peak District, although most of its population lies along the River Derwent....
).
The route
From Castleton, the route runs up Cave DaleCave Dale
Cave Dale is a dry limestone valley in the Derbyshire Peak District, England. It is located at grid reference . The northern end of the dale starts at the village of Castleton where the valley sides are almost perpendicular and over 50 metres in height...
, past Peak Forest
Peak Forest
Peak Forest is a small village on the main road the from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Chesterfield in England.The village grew from the earlier settlement of Dam at the conjunction of Perrydale and Damdale. There is an inn, a village shop and a Primary School...
, down Hay Dale and Peter Dale, parallel to Monks Dale then through the village of Millers Dale
Millers Dale
Millers Dale is a valley on the River Wye in Derbyshire.It is a popular beauty spot in the Peak District of England, much of the area being preserved as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Nearby is Ravenstor and Cheedale, both popular with rock-climbers...
. It then passes Blackwell and runs through Flagg
Flagg
Flagg is a small Peak District village, set in the Derbyshire Dales, halfway between the small market town of Bakewell and the spa town of Buxton, in the area officially known as "The White Peak"...
and Monyash
Monyash
Monyash is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District about five miles west of Bakewell.Monyash lies at an elevation of 300m above sea level, and has a population of about 280 people. The village is located in a shallow hollow in the limestone plateau at the head of Lathkill Dale, which starts just...
, across Cales Dale and past Youlgreave
Youlgreave
Youlgreave or Youlgrave is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District, lying on the River Bradford, four kilometres south of Bakewell. Both spellings are used on different local signposts and on different maps. The name possibly derives from "yellow grove" , though was historically called "Giolgrave"...
through Bradford Dale. The route then continues past Robin Hood's Stride
Robin Hood's Stride
Robin Hood's Stride is a rock formation on the Limestone Way in Derbyshire close to Bakewell, between Harthill Moor and the Alport-Winster road. It consists of gritstone boulders deeply seamed by water flows. Limited short climbing is possible; nearby Cratcliffe Tor provides more serious routes...
to the villages of Elton
Elton, Derbyshire
Elton is an a village in Derbyshire, England and in the Peak District. There are no shops situated in the village but Elton has a small post office, cafe, church, school and a sports field. Its nearest towns are Bakewell and Matlock...
, Winster
Winster
Winster is a former lead-mining village in the Derbyshire Dales about from Matlock and from Bakewell at an altitude of approx . The village, which lies within the Peak District National Park, has a large number of listed buildings, including the Market House open daily as a National Trust...
and Bonsall
Bonsall, Derbyshire
Bonsall is a village and civil parish in the Derbyshire Dales on the edge of the Peak District.-Geography:Bonsall is about from Matlock and about from Derby...
, after which it crosses the Midshires Way
Midshires Way
The Midshires Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway that runs for through Middle England from Bledlow in Buckinghamshire to Stockport, Greater Manchester....
. The trail runs through Parwich
Biggin (Dovedale and Parwich Ward)
Biggin is a village in the Derbyshire Dales district of Derbyshire, England. It is part of the Hartington Nether Quarter parish, and is in the Peak District National Park....
and crosses the Tissington Trail
Tissington Trail
right|thumb|200px|The Trail at the site of the former Tissington station, now a picnic site.The Tissington Trail is a bridleway and walk/cycle path in Derbyshire, England...
before running through Tissington
Tissington
Tissington is a village in Derbyshire, England. It is part of the estate of Tissington Hall, owned by the FitzHerbert family since 1465. It is regarded as one of the most picturesque English villages and is a popular tourist attraction, particularly during its well dressing week. It also gives its...
itself and Thorpe
Thorpe, Derbyshire
Thorpe is a village and civil parish in the English county of Derbyshire; it is on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border, on the east bank of the River Dove, about four miles north of Ashbourne....
, then down into Dovedale
Dovedale
Dovedale is a popular dale in the Peak District, England. It is owned by the National Trust, and annually attracts a million visitors. The valley is cut by the River Dove and runs for just over between Milldale in the north and a wooded ravine near Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill in the south...
at Ellastone
Ellastone
Ellastone is a village in central England on the Staffordshire side of the River Dove, between Uttoxeter and Ashbourne.-Location and history:...
on its approach to Rocester. Spurs link Bonsall to Matlock (along the old route of the path) and from Thorpe to Ashbourne
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne is a small market town in the Derbyshire Dales, England. It has a population of 10,302.The town advertises itself as 'The Gateway to Dovedale'.- Local customs :...
.
Details of connecting routes may be found on the Limestone Way page of the Long Distance Walkers' Association website.