We’ve taken Bessy away from Peterborough for a while, doing a little tour up to Derbyshire and the edge of the Peak District before heading south into the Welsh borders and Ross-on-Wye. During our stay in Derbyshire, one day it was brilliant blue skies and 15c then the next it was -2c and snowing! Typically British!
We stayed in a campsite outside Leek, Blackshaw Moor caravan park was once home to a group of displaced Polish soldiers and their families from 1946 to 1964, the transit camp was originally built in 1943 for the U.S. Army. A strong community developed but by the time the camp closed in March 1964 there were only 50 families left, now living in houses locally.
The Roaches (rocky outcrop) were visible from the camp, one clear day we managed to climb to the top!
We took a day trip to Bakewell for a traditional afternoon tea! And scrummy it was!! We did purchase a Bakewell Tart but had to eat it at once…….
On the way to Bakewell we passed a tiny hillside village called Longnor, the first recorded settlement was in the Middle Ages and it’s mentioned in the Doomsday Book as being an important market town on the roads between Buxton, Leek, Macclesfield and Bakewell.
In Buxton, we just had to try the mineral water, a naturally heated warming 27c rediscovered in 2005, and captured in the original Victorian spa baths. SO beautiful and so relaxing!!!
In Leek itself were beautiful old buildings, one (currently an antiques shop) was used by Bonnie Prince Charles in 1745 whilst on his march towards Derby during his efforts to restore the Stuart dynasty to the thrones of England and Scotland. He stopped here twice.
Leek Parish contains 143 Listed buildings, one is Grade 1, the highest listing possible. Several mills were used for spinning, dyeing and weaving silk, now used as a hotel or restaurant.
Next stop, Ross-on-Wye, near the Welsh border.
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