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Map Reference: SK0173 Click here for OS map
OS Maps: Landranger sheet 119, Explorer: The Peak District White Peak area OL1 or the old Outdoor Leisure 24 (White Peak) & Tourist Map 4 (Peak District)
Habitat
Heather moors, reservoirs, coniferous & deciduous woodland & upland streams.
Directions
From Buxton take the A5002 (Long Hill) towards Whaley Bridge. At the highest point on the A5002 there is a left turn onto a minor road which is signposted The Goyt Valley. This drops into the valley & crosses the Errwood Reservoir dam. Once across the dam you can turn right towards Pym's Chair & the Cheshire border, or left towards Derbyshire Bridge. There are various car parks throughout the valley from where you can explore on foot;
Goyt's Lane, SK024752
Bunsal Cob, SK019759
The Street, SK013758
Errwood Hall, SK011748
Goyt's Clough Quarry, SK012734
Derbyshire Bridge, SK018716
Please Note: The road between Errwood Hall & Derbyshire Bridge car parks is one way meaning you can't drive into the valley from the Derbyshire Bridge end.
Bus Details
Bowers 58 Buxton to Macclesfield (daily) serves the Cat & Fiddle Inn which is a short walk from Derbyshire Bridge and some are extended from Bakewell.
Bowers 61 (Mon-Sat) & Various operators 61A (Suns) , Glossop - Buxton (via New Mills) serve the A5004 (Long Hill) to the East of the Reservoirs. The Sunday service runs from Holmfirth (with a connection to/from Huddersfield).
Facilities
Picnic sites along the valley. Toilet blocks at Derbyshire Bridge SK019716, Goyt's Clough Quarry SK012733 and Bonsal Cob SK019759
What to see
Spring & summer are the best times to visit the Goyt Valley. A walk along the road & back along the riverside path between Errwood Hall & Goyts Clough Quarry car parks is best for woodland birds with Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Cuckoo, Blackcap, Siskin, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper & Nuthatch all present. Up to three Firecrests spent spring 2002 in this area with one, possibly two males singing. Grey Wagtail & Dipper can be found on the river with Common Sandpiper around Errwood Resr.
A walk from Derbyshire Bridge, east along the Old Coach Road towards Burbage is good for moorland species. At the highest point on this rough track (SK027722) turn north along a footpath which takes you back into the Goyt Valley via Berry Clough. Once you meet the road you can turn south back towards Derbyshire Bridge. Early mornings are best for Ring Ouzel with birds often coming to feed on the grassy verges around Derbyshire Bridge car park. Also check the various small rocky cloughs on either side of the road north of Derbyshire Bridge. Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Curlew & Whinchat all breed in the area, with Peregrine & Raven often seen overhead. Hobby are also regular in late summer & in 1997 a pair Hen Harrier bred. An alternative easier walk is along the disused railway line which runs south east from Goyts Lane car park.
Long-eared Owl are present in the coniferous woodland, but difficult to find, as are Crossbill & Goshawk. In past years Nightjar have also taken up residence when felling of areas of the conifer woodland have produced suitable habitat. Hoo Moor (SK005765), to the west of Fernilee Resr is probably the best area for coniferous woodland species, but the only public access is along a track which runs north from near The Street car park (SK010760).
Thanks to Jon Lowes for the content for this page
DOS Verdict
A very picturesque part of the County and little visited compared to other sites to the south and east. The terrain can be very hilly, but will reward the walker with birds from a diverse range of habitats.
(Thanks also to Brian Cuttell for some of the above)
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