Following our Yorkshire visit, we arrived in the Peak District at the same location and accommodation we visited last September (2025) – blog post here.
We had more variable weather here than in North Yorkshire with a couple of days of persistent rain but it didn’t matter as we could just relax and chill out, or take advantage of the games room.
Cressbrook
We decided to walk from Cressbrook to Miller’s Dale and back along the Monsal Trail.
I took some infrared shots.
Along the way to Miller’s Dale, I took various flower shots and was quite pleased with the following image of what I think is a Catchfly, and looks surprisingly good in mono.
We had a drink at the pub then made our way onto the Monsal trail (the old railway track) and on the way back passed through some tunnels, one of which was the Cressbrook tunnel.
I took some shots then asked Kathryn to walk ahead and pose for me at the end of the tunnel. This is possibly my best shot of our trip away.
This shot has had a full edit and processing applied, some basic edits and crop, denoised, and Nik Silver Efex. Fellow club members may sigh as Yes, of course, this will potentially feature in next seasons club competition!
Haywood – Longshaw Estate
We were heading for a woodland not far from Padley Gorge where the objective was to get some decent bluebell shots.
We drove down a long bumpy track from the main road into a car park next to the wood. There was absolutely no one else around and we paid our car park dues then had a wander.
As it happened, the wood with the bluebells seemed smaller than we envisaged, and we also wanted to get to the KitKat stones later so we ambled around for a little while.
I struggled to get any close up detailed shot but I was quite pleased with this ICM shot.
KitKat Stones, Higger Tor
Back in September, we did a sunrise at this location, and I wanted to see the stones again.
I knew it wouldn’t be much cop during the day but we arrived here at gone 7pm so I was hoping for a little soft light.
We found the stones and I rattled off some shots, which were as I expected not great. Still, we were out and about, exploring, getting fresh air and having fun.
And that was a wrap.
Lud’s Church
We were heading for another bucket list location, or perhaps somewhere from the book that we had not been before, Lud’s Church.
Lud’s Church is a deep, moss-covered chasm full of history, myths and dark green wherever you look; and to walk down its stone steps deep into the cleft is to escape into another world…
Parking in a car park near a river (as the book suggested), you have a reasonable walk ahead down through a conference centre and along a path beside the river, over a stile and up through some woodland before the incline gets you to Lud’s Church.
En route, there were some high quality bluebells in unspoilt condition and I kept stopping to grab some shots, but it was late (as usual) and we needed to keep a pace or we would see darkness arriving.
I was taken with these trees and the slope surrounding them.
At the woodland where you cross the wooden bridge, there was a spread of the most amazing bluebells so I found somewhere I could kneel down, and ignoring the damp grass, I grabbed some pleasing shots.
We walked along the inclined paths and wondered at one point if we’d ever get there as it seems to be a longer walk than you think.
We reached the entrance to find a cavern of rocks with foliage and a path where you can explore – some shots below give you the idea.
We walked through the path to the left, up to the top and round.
At the top, I thought I’d grab some more infrared shots as the varying foliage made me think of a jungle.
We walked back down, taking a wrong turn somewhere and having to double back to get on the right path, and got back to our car.
With a couple of days chilling in our accommodation when it was raining, we were coming up to our last day in the Peaks.
The Roaches
This was another bucket list from the book choice.
We arrived in the area to find lots of warning signs not to park beside the road and could see several warning signs to that effect.
We drove up to the far end and managed to park in a small lay-by that appeared to be big enough for 2-3 cars, and checked for sign to limit the risk of getting a ticket.
Climbing up the path, we could see the famous rocks and also a dilapidated barn to our right.
It was very cloudy and the occasional downpour meant taking cover under the rocks.
We had a wander around and with a massive black cloud in the distance, we decided to head back to the car.
My final shot here, which also turned out to be my last of the holiday was a moody and stormy scene which I think suits a monochrome edit.
We got back to the car and made our way back to our accommodation.
Reflections
It had been an enjoyable week in the Peak District.
We had been to some familiar and new places and had a good time.
We flirted with the idea of going back to Bempton Cliffs but in the end, just went home as it would’ve been a big detour.
Until the next time.
Onwards and upwards…