Birchen Edge

On a magnificently beautiful sunny spring morning in March when there was hardly any breeze to speak of we decided to walk along some of the Derbyshire Edges. We parked in the free Birchen Edge car park adjacent to the Robin Hood Inn on the A619 two miles east of Baslow.

We gradually climbed up through quiet meadowland, softly lit by dappled sunlight through the trees. The joyous song of a curlew accompanied us as we walked towards Birchen Edge. Further on we came to White Edge where we discovered one of the Companion Stones, one of many poets and artist’ contributions in a project designed to direct us in our journey into the future. This one reads...

“For This Ride come outward hear heather on air step on grounded cloud let soul rotate as horizon walk skywards.”

Mark Goodwin

The words reflect the sights and sensations of walking high up on the Edges with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and villages.

We continued along the Edge a far as the stone wall opposite the Grouse Inn pub.

Our return journey took in Froggatt Edge, Curbar Edge and Baslow Edge and we admired the rock formations conjuring up a variety of images. One of these was of a wrinkly faced ogre with a wide curly smile.

Once past the Eagle Stone which traditionally was used to test the mettle of prospective suitors who had to climb it to prove their fitness for marriage, we continued on to cross the A61 Sheffield Road. This then took us back to join the lower Birchen Edge path from the west and to the car park.

The walk was relatively easy with only the initial gradual climb and covering approximately 10 miles. There were a few walkers, climbers and runners as it was a weekday.

Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely cup of cappuccino served in very colourful crockery at the Derbyshire Craft Centre tea room. We resisted the temptation of the cakes on display and were surprised that unlike the isolated moors the tea room was very busy.

Derbyshire Craft Centre and tea room