Above: Ashford’s much-photographed Sheepwash Bridge over the River Wye. Sheep were penned in the enlosed area on the left before being driven across the river to clean their coats.
Starting from Hassop Station – which is now a popular cafe and bike-hire centre – this very easy six-mile walk crosses some wonderfully picturesque White Peak contryside to reach the equally scenic village of Ashford-in-the-Water, lying beside the River Wye.
A glance at the map shows there’s also the option of reducing the distance by taking a shortcut at point 11 in the description. Leaving either a 2.5 mile circuit from Hassop without visiting Ashford. Or a 3.5 mile option starting from Ashford and not going as far as Hassop.
Above: Click the route map to enlarge in a new window.
Above: Great Longstone Station (22 on the map) won many awards for its floral displays. Perhaps because one of Midland Railway’s directors lived at nearby Thornbridge Hall!
Click here for a brief history of the station, as well as some photos taken when it was in its prime. There’s also a ‘then & now’ fade on the page comparing an old view with a recent photo.
There’s no shortage of places to stop for refreshments on this walk. Thornbridge Hall’s ‘Quackers Cafe’ is just beyond the bridge on the above photo.
Ashford boasts a tearoom and two pubs – the recently reopened Ashford Arms and the more traditional Bulls Head – as well as the more upmarket Rafters Hotel beside the Sheepwash Bridge.
The cafe at Hassop Station is always popular. And if you feel like exploring the entire 8.5 miles of the Monsal Trail, you could hire a bike from just behind the building.
Click below for full step-by-step directions and photos.
A ‘Relive’ version of the walk. Click to play and use the expand option to view in full-screen. Click here for more Monsal Trail ‘Relives’.