A climb up to Stanage Edge from Hathersage rewards us with views over the Dark Peak moorlands. The outlook across Sheffield is dotted with lovely little villages to create a stunning landscape. Many of the dams we visit powered industrial Sheffield and supplied the city with its water.

Our arrival in the waterside village of Low Bradfield means it’s time for tea. The old Victorian schoolhouse, now The School Rooms Café, Gift & Art Shop is a real treat and the perfect spot to pause.  

We pick up our adventure with a journey passed the dramatic and eerie Thornsett Lodge, built in 1855 by the son of famed Civil Engineer William Jessop. Dales Dyke soon comes into view and we take a closer look at the disastrous dam.

The story of Charles Boot Tower comes alive as we pass Boot’s Folly and head to Strines Moor. Long reaching views are our companion while we criss-cross isolated valleys and cross counties on our return to Derbyshire.

Note: If you’re fortunate to take the tour during the week, we drop into Upper Derwent Dam (car access to the dam is closed at weekends). This remarkable setting is famed for being the training place for the Dambusters raid, practice ground for the bouncing bomb and much, much more…

Why not make your day more memorable? Indulge in a homemade, traditionally English picnic in a handpicked location carefully chosen for its idyllic countryside setting.

Start point: Hathersage

Duration: There is a long version and a regular version of this tour. The long version is up to 5 hours, the shorter version is just over 3 hours. This can be selected on the booking page.