Walk Summary
A short walk from picturesque Underbank Reservoir up to Whitwell Moor. Extensive views from Whitwell Moor over to the Broomhead Valley and beyond.
Date: 19/03/2022
Length: 4.72 miles
Height Gain: 176 m
Terrain: Woodland trails, stone tracks, lightly used roads, housing estate.
Navagation: Signage mostly good.
Start: Underbank Reservoir Car Park
Route: Underbank Reservoir Car Park, Wind Hill Wood, Whitwell Moor, Mucky Lane, Oxley Park
Map: OL1 Dark Peak Area
Weather: Sunny
Walkers: Nun
Gallery
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Underbank Dam
Captain's Log
Space Invader
I rested my elbows on the the dam wall of the Underbank Reservoir so that I could get a steady shot. As I stared through the camera's viewfinder and altered a camera setting I became aware of a shuffling on my right side. It made me a bit uncomfortable since they were so close that I felt my personal space had been invaded. I snapped he shot and took a cautious glance out of my right eye to see what psychopath was stood next to me. I nearly jumped when I was confronted by a large, white woolly head. He didn't give me any eye contact and stared down the length of the reservoir. I thought of striking up a conversation, 'Nice weather today?', or maybe, 'Did you watch the match last night?', but I decided not to disturb his concentration.
'Is that a Labradoodle', I asked the owner. 'No it's a Goldendoodle. A cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. The dog turned to me and looked at me with some disgust that I called him a Labradoodle. Feeling guilty, I turned away and wished them both a good day.
Whitwell Moor
I walked along the bank of reservoir until I got to the Activity Centre and then turned off through the car park. For a number of years a pair of boots, tied to together with their laces, hang from some power cables stretching across the car park. They have been there for years. It reminded me of the Clackers craze in the 70s. A bolus type toy that kept the AE staff in steady employment with broken wrists and bruised arms. I remember seeing many of these swinging from telephone lines when kids got bored with them.
The views on the path up to Wind Hill Knoll was steep but I was rewarded with great views that appeared through gaps in the trees. A couple of years ago three buzzards had circled above me on this path. They came so low I had marvellous views of their colours and patterns. The path levels off, crosses Long Lane and then continues on a trail over Whitwell Moor. It wasn't long before I was at the trig and enjoying a wonderful panoramic view across the Broomhead Moor and valley. It is a popular spot and I was surprised to have the trig to myself on such a sunny Saturday. Despite the sun, there was a cold wind and I started down from the moor towards Stockbridge.
View From Whitwell Moor
Underbank Overflow
Oxley Park Plaque
34 1/2 Acres
The aptly named Mucky Lane transported me off Whitwell Moor. There is another Mucky Lane on the other side of the Stocksbridge valley and I guess the two lanes might have been one in a previous era.
I took the path past Greave House Farm to Oxley Park. There is a large, grand boulder arrangement on the right just as I entered the park. The brass plaque attached to it says: 'These 34 1/2 acres of land were presented by Mr Thomas Oxley to the inhabitants of Stocksbridge for the purpose of a public park or recreation ground. The cost of laying out and the maintenance thereof being borne by Messrs Samuel Fox & Co Ltd'. Samuel Fox was a 19th Century industrialist who built the Stocksbridge steelworks, that are still manufacturing steel today. I quite like the plaque. You certainly knew where you stood with these industrial revolution philanthropists. The public should note carefully that they were being gifted 34 acres, and be eternally grateful for that additional 1/2 acre. Well, I am grateful to Mr Oxley and Mr Fox. It is a very pleasant walk through Oxley Park along woodland trails.
I noted some unusual bird boxes in the trees. A plaque in the woods indicate that these are special boxes to encourage Willow Tits.
Goldendoodleless
After Oxley Park a walk through a housing estate returned me back to the dam. There was no sign of my friend, the Goldendoodle. The morning haze had burnt away and the view down the reservoir from the dam was superb. Some Mallard ducks paddled alongside me as I walked along the dam. I'm not sure whether they were after food or whether they waned to be in a photo. I didn't have any food and so took a photo of them, and hoped that would make them happy. A Pied Wagtail and a couple of Grey Wagtails jumped up and down near the waters edge. The day had definitely a Spring air about it.
It had turned out to be a great short walk with plenty to see. I'd even made a Goldendoodle buddy.
Underbank Boots