Castleton Climb and a Buxton Bride

Had a day off on Saturday so we drove ove to Castleton in the Peak distick . It was forecasted to be sunny and it was. It was a lovely trip, somewhere we hadn’t been for ages. Took a while to get parked, tourists and hikers abound here. We ambled around the town and found a path leading up to Cavedale, a spectacular narrow limestone valley, which was a route I had read about and decided to do, as it was just a shortish scenic hike. Wonderful scenery as we ascended the stony path up the gorge. We had a picnic and then headed over towards Perevil Castle, perched high on the rocks amidst the grazing sheep. You can’t visit the castle from this route – there used to be a drawbridge but ow there is a fence to guard the steep drop in the gully below, so don’t be tempted to cross it!
At this point you are virtually on top of Peak Cavern – this area is riddled with limestone caves which you can visit. The path descends steeply down the moorside to meet a path at the bottom, leading back into the village.

who you looking at?

ascending the gorge

Pathway down

Castleton Pastures

After some more refreshments we headed over to Buxton where we ambled through the Pavillion gardens – surprise surprise a wedding had just taken place in the bandstand there, the Don Redfern Memorial Bandstand,  and was now having some formals taken.  The Bandstand is licensed for civil ceremonies, a lovely setting in the Pavillion Gardens.

To end the day a stop at the famous Cat and Fiddle pub -  some claim the highest, in England some second highest.  In truth a bit disappointing, not much there but the hot chocolate and cointreau was delicious!  All in all a lovely day trip out.

Buxton Bride

Buxton and a Bride