A TO Z – DERBYSHIRE AND THE PEAK DISTRICT – CHAPTER 25

LITTLE LONGSTONE (off the A6020 from Ashford, 1 mile from Monsal Head – SK191717)

Less than half a mile from Monsal Head is the village of Little Longstone, with its charming cottages and well-kept gardens. Built entirely of stone, it features a popular pub, the Packhorse Inn, and a 17th-century Manor House. The Longson family has lived in the village for over 800 years. A record few can equal anywhere.

LITTON (1 mile south of the A623 Baslow to Chapel-en-le-Frith Road – SK166751)

There is a sense of spaciousness about Litton. A wide grass verge runs down the side of the street of this attractive upland village, situated almost 1,000 feet above sea level. An old-world village pub and a small triangular green, complete with ancient wooden stocks, make up the idyllic scene. The houses are of good quality, mainly built in the 18th century, and are of considerable charm and character. It was a time of boom in the lead mining industry, and with it came increased prosperity that enabled the more fortunate to spend more time and money on the construction of their properties.

Following the closure of Litton’s only shop, the post office relocated to the village hall; however, the villagers were not keen on the new arrangements. After conducting a market survey, they found sufficient demand to sustain a shop. Next, they formed a friendly society, with each villager buying a ten-pound share. Then they found some derelict premises in what had once been the village smithy. Obtained additional funding to that already raised by their efforts and converted the premises into a shop, post office and meeting place for the community. The Litton Community Shop opened for business on 26 September 1999, becoming the first village-owned shop in Derbyshire.

LONGDENDALE VALLEY (1 mile north of Glossop, on the A628 Manchester to Sheffield road – SK982068)

Longdendale Valley offers a range of recreational activities, in addition to the trail. These include a sailing club on Torside Reservoir, water skiing, and fishing on Bottoms Reservoir. There are two official car parks at Crowden and Torside, with a picnic area and information point available at the latter. On the northern side of the valley, the busy A628, carrying convoys of vehicles across the Pennines, contrasts sharply with the calmer atmosphere on the other side.

Here, the Pennine country is at its wildest on either side of the valley, and it is the home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mute swans, wading birds and even grey herons. Much of the heather-covered moorland is Access Land over which people are allowed to roam. The Longdendale Trail runs along a disused railway line, which walkers, cyclists and horses now use. It runs parallel with the reservoirs in the valley, from Hadfield to the Woodhead Tunnel, along a wide, well-surfaced track for a distance of six miles. The Trans Pennine Trail, an international walking route that stretches from Liverpool to Istanbul, also utilises part of the trail.