オーカムアの湖・トップ6

flat and suitable for all

Pretty waterfall to stumble upon as you make your way through the woods.

The JCB factory west of Rocester has worked hard to incorporate itself into the landscape. The site includes parkland and an ornamental lake which is open to the public and maintained by JCB staff. There are several statues placed in and around the lake including this flying birds sculpture.

I have yet to find a name for this pond online. I wondered if it belonged to the nearby Cricket Club as access from there seems to be possible? Access from the cycle track is prevented with barbed wire.

This tyre swing is over a shallow part of the tributary and near the 'waterfall'.

The smelting mill is now much altered and is a private residence, but the former mill pond is a very popular place with walkers in National Trust's Dimmingsdale. Lead smelting mill described as new in 1741 and converted to corn grinding in 1784. Single high breast water wheel and three pairs of stones. The Alton Mill, situated at the mouth of Dimmingsdale, is still known at the Smelting Mill even though it had longers use as a corn mill. In 1741 Geroge Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, leased out a 'newly erected building for the smelthing of lead commonly called a smelting mill, refinery and slag hearth...' at Alton Common. In 1760 lead was still being smelted and the site had a smiths shop, two houses, a barn, nine acres and a pool. The will of Edward Coyney, 1772, mentions his share in the mill along with his share in the mines at Ecton, which is the most likely source for the lead being produced at Dimmingsdale. Source: Churnet Valley Guide

A very helpful arrangement of stones to cross over a tributary of the Churnet River.

If you are inclined to torment innocent fish going about their business, day tickets can be purchased from the visitor centre.