Hollins Hill and Chrome Hill rise up viewed from a distance they almost resemble the fossilised back of an ancient creature embedded in the landscape
Just a fifteen minute drive from the spa town of Buxton, you quickly find yourself embedded in a wholly unique landscape .
The heatwave of the previous few days had gladly abated, to be replaced by blue skies and an ever increasing wind which would in the end prevent the final part of the walk across the top of Chrome Hill
The walks are part of Buxton’s Crescent Spa Hotel who are promoting a choice of ‘Mindful Meetings’ in nature, complementing the hotel’s wellbeing offering and promoting happiness and productivity in the workplace
Groups of up to ten delegates can enjoy the hotel’s luxurious accommodations, dining and award-winning spa around their meeting schedule and choose from one of four activities in the great outdoors.
But back to the walk which began in the delightful chocolate box village of Hollinsclough
We had actually crossed the border from Derbyshire to Staffordshire, the village was associated with silk weaving in the 18th–19th centuries and linked by ancient packhorse trading routes to Macclesfield.Today though a sleepy village probably bypassed by much of the tourist traffic,still decked out in red white and blue celebrating the VE anniversary of May
Our guide Richard Tower led us through the village before we quickly turned off the road onto a narrow pathway lining with bracken,punctuated with the pink colours of foxgloves.Crossing the River Dove by a packhorse bridge we began a fairly steep ascent towards the high, quiet ridge of Hollins Hill,
Four hundred and fifty metres above sea level and the strength of the wind was soon apparent as we traversed the ridge
At the far end there is what is said to be a Bronze Age burial mound first excavated in the mid 19th Century where evidence of cremation was found thought to date back to around 1500BC
As we descended down to the valley that seperates the two hills, the wind coming from the North West vanished and we headed for Chrome Hill.
This second hill an angular limestone reef knoll, was formed around 330 million years ago when this part of the U.K. former part of a tropical sea.
Its remarkable, jagged ridge has justly earned it the name ‘The Dragon’s Back’ and you might recognise it when it was featured as a backdrop in the final episode of the TV series Peaky Blinders.
Sadly the strength of the wind prevented our attempts to transverse it instead being forced to take a lower route which still provided spectacular views and a mini version of walking along the ridge
Finally another steep descent and a flat leisurely walk again crossing the river Dove before returning to Hollinsclough
Groups of up to ten delegates can enjoy the Buxton Crescent hotel’s luxurious accommodations, dining and award-winning spa around their meeting schedule and choose from one of four activities in the great outdoors.
These include volunteering with the Peak Foundation, star gazing with a local expert, e-biking along one of many trails across The Peaks and walking in nature for their wellbeing.
All activities are designed to bring people together to get to know each other better, learn and develop life skills against the stunning backdrop of The Peak District.
Lewis Howe, Director of Sales says,
“We want to offer meetings and events experiences that go beyond the boardroom and make the most of our incredible location and access to nature. We know that when people focus on their own wellbeing, they are at their most happy so we look forward to welcoming groups and showing how combining work and wellbeing can encourage productivity at work.”
About Manchester’s Walk was organised by
Peak Walking Adventures
- Website is www.peakwalking.com
- Public walks start from £45 per person for a day’s guided walk
- Corporate and Tour Operator prices can be foundHERE
- Private guided tours prices can be found HERE
