Friday, April 20, 2012

Derbyshire Bridge to Errwood Reservoir

Back to the walk from Derbyshire Bridge to Errwood Reservoir. As we made our way towards the reservoir we saw an interesting sign so decided to make a bit of a detour



Walking higher up on the path to Errwood Hall we caught a glimpse of the reservoir through the trees.

We followed the signs which led us past lovely, lichen covered stone walls, fast flowing streams and loads of rhododendron and azalea bushes, which will no doubt look wonderful in a few weeks time, until we found the remains of the hall.

 According to records  it was built about 1840 by a wealthy family from Manchester called Grimshaw who lived there until the 1930s.  The family were devout catholics and also had their own chapel and resident priest.  The family employed about twenty staff at the hall most of whom lived in cottages in a nearby village, the family also had their own coal mine and ran a local school which was attended by about thirty local children.  The last descendant of the Grimshaws died in 1930  leaving the hall empty.

  For a short time the hall became a youth hostel. The building was demolished in 1938 and some of the stones used for the building of the dam and water treatment works on the newly constructed Fernilee reservoir.


The remains have been preserved and are a popular stopping point for walkers in the area. We had the place very much to ourselves except for some lively, melodious blackbirds.   


We set off back down the track to the side of the reservoir.  Errwood Reservoir was built almost thirty years after the one at Fernilee.  It was completed in 1967 by the Stockport Water Corporation at a cost of 1.5 millions pounds and it provides water for the town of Stockport and surrounding areas.

We intend to return to this area and do the walk around the Fernilee Reservoir perhaps later in the year.

12 comments:

  1. How sad that the hall was demolished. I would loved to have seen it in all its glory. Imagine having your own chapel and resident priest! x

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  2. What a beautiful place for a walk. The hall is so pretty even as a ruin so I can imagine how magnificent it was.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  3. I've never actually seen Errwood Hall although I know of its existence. May do a detour on my next trip to Cheshire and have a look at it.

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  4. What an interesting place. So sad that something obviously so grand should be demolished. Stunning scenery Rosie. xxx

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  5. A very atmospheric place, and good photos, Rosie, you have captured it very well. It does seem very sad to me that it was purposely demolished - it didn't have a very long life, did it?

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  6. What a lovely walk and although it's a shame it was demolished, it's still an impressive stop off! Suzy x

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  7. There is something so very romantic and poignant about ruins like those you have photographed. It looks like a wonderful walk. Enjoy the weekend hon. Becks x

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  8. Sacristan and I did a walk down here this time last year. We started at Errwood Hall before climbing up Shining Tor.
    http://h-little-sealed-packages.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/goyt-valley.html
    I'd forgotten all of that stuff about the Grimshaws. I bet we researched the same sources :D

    Incidentally, our route to Windgather Rocks last Friday took us over the Errwood Reservoir dam wall, so we virtually crossed paths!

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  9. The Grimshaws probably came to America. Who knows?

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  10. Hi Rosie, I am just catching up with your blog. The monkey walk looks fun, something I would love to do with our grandson.
    Did you see the tv programme about off roaders and the peak district?

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  11. Rosie, this is the kind of place I love. That archway and the pillars are just stunning. I will be doing a post at some point on Scotney Castle in Kent which is mostly a ruin. We saw it in the rain which added to the atmosphere!

    I envy your wonderful walks. Thank you for taking us along.

    Jeanne
    x

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  12. Thanks everone for your lovely comments! Valerie, I didn't see the programme but I know what a problem they cause:)

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