Leader: Peter

Difficulty: Moderate

Start time: 10:20

End time: 15:30

Start and end point (circular route): SK213654 Youlgrave Football Club (see transport info)

Distance (in miles): 10

Ascent (in meters): 439

Is your walk dog friendly?: No

Full description: 

Water is scarce in limestone country, with rivers often flowing underground and people traditionally depending on wells. In the White Peak, villages traditionally celebrate the wells by creating what have now become increasingly elaborate pictures out of flowers and other natural materials. Well Dressings are more popular than ever now, with larger villages making several (and stretching "well" to include fountains, water cisterns, and... anywhere) and people in surrounding towns copying the practice. But the best dressings are still made in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales.

To make things easier for walkers, nearby villages often display their well dressings at the same time, and in this case we'll be visiting Youlgrave and Over Haddon. The loop includes the lovely little Bradford Dale, and the bigger and also beautiful Lathkill Dale, which is famed for its rare flowers that should be out at the same time. If we're lucky there will be chance to buy an ice cream on the way round, and there's a designated (but cold) swimming spot at the end, so bring your kit if the weather is good.

Public transport or car sharing options: 

There is no direct bus to Youlgrave, but the 172 runs from Bakewell. The walk leader can't take responsibility if you take the bus.

The football club is usually open as a public car park in well dressing week, but if it isn't the main public car park is on the west side of the village. In that case, we'll meet at All Saints' Church. If you drive, I recommend returning via Tideswell and Litton, which are also hosting well dressings this weekend. Please arrange car shares via the comments on Meetup.