STRIDING THROUGH THE PEAK DISTRICT.

OK, we've done with Buxton and now we're heading south (see the map here) to the village of Earl Sternadale. Here's the church in 1996.

Sadly, the village pub, the Quiet Woman is now closed.

Almost an about turn and to the north is Dove Holes, where lots of quarrying takes place. This is Perseverance Quarry near Dove Holes in 1934.

Not far away, the old station site at Peak Forest, still a busy freight location. The year is 2007.

On the former Midland Railway main line, the viaducts at Millers Dale were still extant in 1987.

Our next stop is the large village of Tideswell. There's time for a quick look at the church.

Hulley's of Baslow ran several services into Tideswell.

Andrew's Coaches are based in Tideswell. Here's one of their coaches in the yard. Since the demise of Hulley's, Andrew's now operate several stage carriage services in the area.

Seen outside Andrew's yard is this preserved United coach, conveying a group of enthusiasts in 2024 (Andrew Fieldsend).

Tideswell is still a decent place for beer. The George used to sell Hardy Hansons beers.

The Anchor is a Robinson's tied house.

The Star serves a variety of ales.

Not far away is the village of Litton, which, like others in the area, has a well dressing ceremony (Creative Commons License).

The Red Lion in Litton is known for its tradional beers.

In 2007, Litton's bus service was provided by TM Travel.

Another pub, not fae away, the Queen Anne at Great Hucklow.

On the A623, at Wardlow Mires, the unforgettable Three Stags Heads.

Our next stop is Baslow. A bit of a problem here for a charanbanc on the bridge.

Baslow was, until recently, the home of Hulley's Coaches.

There has been a great variety of vehicles here over the years. This photo was taken in 1962 (Les Flint).

A former Sheffield Transport saloon outside the depot yard.

Further buses and coaches here in the late 1970s. Sadly, Hulley's have recently ceased trading.

North now, towards Grindleford.  This is Bolehill Quarry, Grindleford about 1912.

Grindleford station is on the ex Midland Sheffield - Manchester route, at the west end of Totley Tunnel. Here it is in MR days.

After the Grouping, LMS 1144 speeds through the station.

Moving forward to 1998 and class 101 DMUs are handling the local service.

Not far away is the Grouse Inn at Longshaw, which is a good place to conclude this post.

Next time........... A returm to Yorkshire.

LET'S TAKE THE WATERS

So, today, we leave Cheshire behind and enter Derbyshire. We're heading for Buxton, but first we must visit Fernilee Reservoir (see the map here) to view this narrow gauge 0-4-0WT Kinver, used in the construction.

There are plenty of standard gauge railways around Buxton. Here's the LNWR viaduct, seen from Dukes Drive, Buxton.

Both the LNWR and Midland Railway served Buxton. In LMS days there was a busy loco shed here.

Buxton station was made up of two adjoining sections. This is the frontage of the LNWR bit, seen in LMS times and in 2006.

Both the MR and LNWR stations are seen in 1963 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License)

The former LNWR station is still in use today. Back in the early 1970s, BRCW DMUs were the order of the day.

Locos were being stabled in the station area in 1986.

Just beyond the platforms was Buxton TMD and the ex LNWR signal box.

Class 150 and 156 units seem to be operating the passenger service (to Manchester) in modern times.

The ex Midland Railway side of the station is, today, just a memory. Here, a Park Royal diesel railbus forms the shuttle to Millers Dale (Les Flint).

This side of the station became a railway heritage centre, though it's all moved elsewhere since these photos were taken in the 1980s.

Of course, Buxton is a spa town, so we could take the waters, or just visit the Opera House (Creative Commons License).

We'll partake of some liquid refreshment shortly, but first, a quick look at Buxton's buses. Trent has long been the major operator.

Bakers of Biddulph were running into Buxton in 1993.

Bowers, from Chapel-en-le-Frith, ran some local services.

Some of the town's hotels sold real ale and appeared in the Good Beer Guide. Sadly, the George Hotel is now defunct.

Ramsey's Bar, part of the Buckingham Hotel, is also just a memory.

Never mind, there's always the Wetherspoons, named the Wye Bridge House.

There are several decent "proper" pubs in Buxton. The Cheshire Cheese, seen here in 1987 as a Kimberley pub, is now a free house.

The Sun Inn is still tied to Marstons.

The Swan Hotel is a good place to complete our Buxton visit.

Next time, through the Peak District.