Buxton Online | Combs, Dove Holes and Chapel-en-le-Frith Walk

Dove Holes, Combs, Buxton Walk

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Dove Holes railway station/Combs village/Buxton.
Distance approximately 7 miles/ 11.2 kilometres

Village cricket, Dove Holes vs Bugsworth

For those who have an interest in our ancient history, you may first like to take a short detour, to examine "The Bull Ring", a locally important henge monument.

To get there, walk along the A6 northwards, pass the car sales and church on your right. A few steps further, and you'll reach the Cricket green. Turn right along the track, and right again. After passing the buildings on your left, you'll reach the green hummocks that represent the monument.

Unlike the henge at Arbor Low, the Bull Ring has no stones around it, although according to early historians, they suggest that it did have stones at one time.

However, the site is more pronounced than its counterpart, and nonetheless just as interesting.

Now retrace your steps back towards the railway station. From the area of the railway station, proceed along Meadow lane until it meets with the fork that takes you left towards Combs village, this is Cowlow lane which has a steep uphill trend that follows the contours of Combs Moss.

Dove Holes Bullring

Chapel-en-le-Frith with the Pennine Hills beyond

After walking for a little over a quarter of a mile, the northern view looks across Cowlow farm towards the eastern end of Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Looking back the way you came, you have fine views towards the small village of Dove Holes with Eldon hill and the many quarry workings that dot the distant skyline.

These quarries formed the major limestone industry of the area, although many are shadows of what they once represented.

Continuing your walk over the rise, the road descends towards a tree lined valley that goes off to the right. The views over the walls on your right, before reaching these trees, will afford the first real sighting of Chapel-en-le-Frith itself, with the hills of the southern Pennines rearing up in starkly in the distance, towards the north east.

The grassy banks that rise all along the edge of this walk to Combs, are covered with a variety of wild plants that include, Bilberry, Gorse and Tormentil, plants that brighten our journey on towards the village. Numerous public footpaths lead off to the right of this road, to crisscross the rolling green landscape, home to sheep and cattle farming, but these will have to be explored on another day.

Passing the line of trees on your right, you eventually reach the track way to Ridge Hall a fifteenth century house that now welcomes guests as a hotel, and the walk downhill to the town's remaining railway station, along the Buxton to Manchester route, which in itself is approximately one mile from the town it continues to serve.

Continuing onwards, the road twists and rises to skirt Castle Naze, the remains of an ancient iron-age hill fort, that towers high to your left. Sadly, there is no official access to this site, for the views from its summit must be truly magnificent.

Overlooking Ridge Hall towards Chapel

Path to Bank Hall

To the right, there is the footpath that will take the curious, past Bank Hall, once home of Samual Frith, the Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of this region.

The house itself has a rather commanding view over Chapel-en-le-Frith from its position high on the Combs Moss.

After another two hundred metres or so, our walk now slopes away downhill, where soon you'll be greeted by the magnificent views across the Combs reservoir and the valley that winds its way towards Whaley Bridge. Why not sit here a while, and admire the beautiful scenery. This could be a good time to take a little refreshment too.

From here on, the road drops steeply down between hedgerows of honeysuckle, hawthorn and holly. The flora consists of a few new species for the journey so far. Greater stitchwort, foxglove, bluebell and bramble, to name but a few.

View over Combs reservoir

Towards Whitehall

Ahead of you is another quite breathtaking view along the valley that rises towards the Whitehall Centre and Mountain Rescue Post on the skyline towards the south-Southwest, marked by a long line of trees.

Far below, and to your right, lies the quiet little village of Combs. Over to the north-west, is the lofty Television transmitter, Ladder Hill, on the hillside that gave it its name.

After walking 5 minutes or so, the road starts to become more level, and at the turning for Pye Greave farm, the view up to your left is of the cliffs that form high natural ramparts of the Naze.

The walk into Combs from here consists of mixed woodland, small streams of cold water that originates from the plateau of Combs Moss, aromatic sweet cicely and a little further on, the first of the lovely stone cottages that mark the beginning of some of Combs' delightful architecture.

he western ramparts of Castle Naze

The Beehive Inn, a free house, offers the traveller an assortment of drinks to quench the thirst, and fine food to stave the pangs of hunger. A delightful place to sit outside if the weather allows for it. Combs is only a small village, but it is well worth the trouble to either explore the lanes and public footpaths that surround it, or take a leisurely walk along to Combs reservoir, and perhaps sit by its waters for a while.

Combs reservoir, peaceful and serene

The local sailing club uses this amenity along with those who like to try their hand at fishing. There is a well sign posted public footpath that will take the walker all around the perimeter of the reservoir.

Beware, in very wet weather, the conditions of this footpath can be extremely muddy. For those who don't mind walking the extra distance, continue along this road until it meets with the A6, turn right and walk the short journey into Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Retracing our steps a way, we take the right fork along the lane that passes the building that doubles as the village church and school. This winding lane has a number of large houses on it, and is lined by hedgerows at first, but after leaving Combs village well behind, and when the road begins to climb steeply once more, we regain the stone-walled landscape that is so typical of the upland region of the Derbyshire hills and dales.

There are sign posted public footpaths across the land that lies on both sides of this road. Some give access across to the Goyt valley to the west, whilst others, rougher walking over hillside and through isolated farm yards. In early June, small trees of Hawthorn that are covered in blossom, stand out noticeably against the surrounding vegetation.

The long trek uphill can be quite exhausting, but soon, the road becomes more level and the White Hall centre comes into view to the front of us. When we reach the junction and on bearing left, we join the old Roman road that runs from Buxton to Whaley Bridge. Here, on the edge of the grit-stone moorland, the sounds of the Curlew indicate a frequent inhabitant in this wild, and sometimes inhospitable, terrain.

Continuing along and up this road, the surface soon becomes rugged and obviously in bad need of repair. On your left, is the lofty western edge of Combs Moss.

Over the wall to your right, you should glimpse traffic on the Long Hill road that winds its way from Buxton to Whaley Bridge. In the distance, you can see the hills that fringe the west side of the Goyt valley. Ahead, a gate appears to bar the way, pass beyond this, and please, do not forget to close it behind you.

From Long Hill across Cavendish Golf Course

After a while, there is another. The road becomes completely rough under foot as it begins to drop downhill towards Buxton. Once you reach the house on your right, the road is well made once again. From here you will shortly join the main road into Buxton, with glimpses of the town beyond.

On your left, you will soon see the western end of Corbar Hill and the woodlands below it. Whilst to your right, there is the wide valley that reaches out towards the hills of Burbage Edge, with footpath access into the Goyt valley. Here you can also see the Cavendish Golf Course, that is also accessible by public footpath.

When you reach a three way fork in the road, walk along Devonshire road which will eventually take you on into Buxton once again.

Buxton, the end of our journey

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