These Boots Were made For Walking: Cave Dale and Winnats Pass

Heading up the road from Market Place in Castleton brings you to a gap in the rocks marking the entrance to Cave Dale, part of the Limestone Way which leads all the way to Rochester in Staffordshire.

Although once thought to have been a collapsed cave system it's also possible that cave Dale is the result of glacial meltwater from the Ice Age. Whatever the cause it makes for a spectacular view.

Atop the hill on the right are the remains of Peveril Castle, built by Henry II to oversee the Royal Forest of the Peak.

Taking a right turn through a gate at the top of the Dale leads past Rowter Farm with Mam Tor directly ahead.  Just over the road after the farm there is a small bowl in the land leading to the entrance of Windy Knoll Cave, once an Ice Age den of brown bears, wolves and hyenas who would prey on mammoths and woolly rhinoceros.

After a spot of lunch in the quarry at Windy Knoll my intention was to go up Mam Tor but black clouds gathering from the North were heading my way so I turned down the road to Winnats Pass. As I reached the top of a path taking me above Winnats the heavens opened so I made my way back to the road down to Speedwell Cavern the took a path off to the right which brought me back into Castleton passing Peak Cavern on the way.

Arriving in Castleton a little soggy I sought shelter in The George. A couple of pints and a good feed later I was dried out and ready for home.

These Boots Were Made For Walking: Slippery Stones

The breathtaking Derwent Valley is undoubtedly my number one 'go to' place for a quick escape from the city. Although less than fifteen miles from my doorstep the run out there on the bike takes me via the country lanes through Bradfield, Strines, and Ladybower to the start of Snake Pass before turning off.

After riding all the way to the top of the valley I can park up at the furthest point accessible by motor vehicle and walk through the woods to the wild swimming hole of Slippery Stones. The water here is brown in colour and has a 'fizzy' appearance and many reckon it's like swimming in coke.

This is a fantastic spot for swimming, chilling out, exploring the woods or heading out further on the moorland. The best time for getting out here is on a weekday since the road to the top is closed on weekends and there are far less people about.

Something To Smile About 2016

Something To Smile About began last year as a one day festival and has expanded this year to a larger venue over three days at Hatfield Outdoor Activity Centre on the outskirts of Doncaster. The campsite is spacious, on flat land among lots of trees with decent facilities and plenty of parking space very close by.

A bargain of a weekend at £40 for tickets and reasonable prices for food and drink although you are welcome to bring your own if you need to watch the pennies. Bars provided by Abbeydale Brewery and The Meadevil Bar and good grub courtesy of Nan's Kitchen.


Although mostly folk based the music over the weekend included rock, blues, punk, reggae and ska. Great performances from all artists with particularly good sets from Brad Dear, Ferocious Dog, Funke and the Two-Tone Baby, The Majestic, Parsons Lot, Willie and the Bandits, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican and Taxi For Bob.

Additional late night acoustic jam sessions fired up after the main stage with The Leylines, Brad Dear and Phat Bollard along with members of various other bands making this one of the most enjoyable parts of the festival.

A huge thanks to Pete, Becky and all involved. A great weekend and we'll be back next year.