미들턴과 스메릴‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪4‬개의 호수

Water from the Ring Pond flows over the Sowter Stone and down to the Aqueduct, which was constructed by Paxton in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s as part of his improvements to Stand Wood. The water continues down through Stand Wood and enters the garden above the Cascade Pond.

Rush covered mere which used to supply the village with water and provided a convenient watering stop for packhorse trains transporting salt or coal across the Peak District.

The Whitworth building and park are steeped in Victorian industrial history. Lady Louisa Whitworth, wife of the industrialist Sir Joseph Whitworth, had a vision of creating a place where people could meet for leisure, recreational and educational purposes. The Whitworth is unique in that it is the only surviving Whitworth foundation that continues to operate under the terms of its original endowment. Once a Victorian boating lake the ponds are now home to an abundance of wildlife all year round.

White Peak Loop trail goes through the park behind The Whitworth. It's scenic but a bit stop-start when avoiding pedestrians and following the gates and signs. If I'm on my road bike, I just tend to use the quiet lane near the railway crossing and rejoin trail further up towards Rowsley.

A pleasant spot to stop for a picnic.

Great spot to stop at, very peaceful, close to Hartington to buy drinks and snacks.