Derwentdale and the Dams
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| Ladybower Dam from Bamford Moor | Upper Derwentdale |
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| Ladybower Reservoir | Ladybower Reservoir from Fairholmes Car Park |
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OS Maps: Landranger Sheet 110, Explorer: The Peak District Dark Peak area OL1 or old Outdoor Leisure Sheet 1 (The Dark Peak) Habitat Heather and grass moors, reservoirs, wooded valleys, streams. Directions The Derwentdale/Upper Derwent Valley complex is situated in the north of the County and covers Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs. Access is off the A57 Snake Road. Access from the south is via the A6013 from Bamford. Bus Details TM Travel 89A (Suns 7 Bank Holiday Mondays) serves Fairholmes from Chesterfield, Barlow & Holmesfield TM Travel 222 Runs summer Sats, Suns and Bank Holiday Mons (Until OCt 2008) and winter Suns only TM Travel 273 Sheffield - Castleton serves Fairholmes. TM Travel 274 Sheffield - Castleton (not Suns) serves the Ladybower Inn on the A57.
Facilities The Visitor's Centre is situated at the north end of Ladybower Reservoir near the Derwent Reservoir Dam. Several car parks are available along the access road and at the Visitor's Centre. The road to the north of the Visitor's Centre is closed in Spring and Summer with a regular shuttle bus to the top of Howden Reservoir. Cycles may be hired from the Visitor's Centre if you have strong lungs and legs! There are toilets and shops at the Visitor's Centre and there is a pay and display system in the car park, the other car parks are free. Disabled access is reasonable, however some tracks and areas of the main road are steep. Access 24 hours all year. What to see Goshawk is the main target species for the area. Windy Corner and the Derwent Reservoir Dam are good places to stand and watch for these magnificent birds. They can be seen mainly soaring over the woods to the west of the reservoirs - usually quite high up. Courtship display is good in February/March and can continue even in snow showers. Other birds to see in the dale or on the moors to the east are Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Siskin, Raven, Peregrine, Wheatear, Stonechat, Ring Ouzel, Red Grouse, Merlin and Goldcrest. Crossbill are a possibility in the conifer belts and Common Sandpiper and Heron are often seen along the reservoir edges. A few pairs of Red Breasted Merganser can also be encountered. DOS Verdict The only place with a good chance of seeing Goshawks in the County. Excellent moorland walks with many specialities to see. Can be tiring. (Thanks also to Brian Cuttell for some of the above and to Paul Bingham for the photographs) |