TOTLEY TUNNEL TO HULME END
A TO Z – DERBYSHIRE AND THE PEAK DISTRICT – CHAPTER 51
TOTLEY TUNNEL (off the B6521 between Grindleford and Longshaw, along Station Approach – SK252788)
The Totley Tunnel at Grindleford opened in 1893; however, passenger services began a year later. It is Britain’s second-longest inland railway tunnel, three miles and 950 yards in length, and took over four years to complete. Flooding was a significant problem, and tunnelling had to stop more than once to allow the drains to carry the water away. Tunnelling was undertaken from either end and completed when the two tunnels met on 23 October 1892. Part of the tunnel is in Derbyshire, and part in Yorkshire. When it opened, it caused considerable excitement in the Sheffield area, as it opened up the relatively isolated Hope Valley, after which tourists flocked to see for themselves the glorious landlocked valley.
TRUSLEY (7 miles west of Derby, near Dalbury Lees along narrow lanes – SK254355)
A tiny conservation village tucked away deep in the heart of the countryside in South Derbyshire. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the Trusley estate came into the hands of the Coke family in 1418. But their original home is no more. In 1904, Major General John Talbot Coke built a new Trusley Manor, but this was reduced in size at the end of the Second World War. Many of the buildings in the village date back to the 18th century, including All Saints’ Church, which was built for William Coke in 1712.
TURNDITCH (on the A517 between Ashbourne and Belper – SK297466)
A small hillside village set alongside the road that at one time was a track through Duffield Firth, a former Royal hunting forest. It was turnpiked in 1764. There are splendid views towards Hazelwood and Wirksworth as the road rises out of the Ecclesbourne Valley. The school is a listed building with an attractive clock tower. All Saints’ Church stands opposite. During the summer, Turnditch joins with the neighbouring village of Windley to put on a popular country show.
UPPER DERWENT VALLEY RESERVOIRS (north of Bamford, off A57 Glossop to Sheffield Road)
The Upper Derwent Valley is very popular with walkers who have the choice of lovely moorland walks or the less strenuous valley and waterside strolls.
In 1899, the Derwent Valley Water Board was established to oversee the construction of reservoirs that would supply water to Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham. To do this, dams were built across the Derwent to create the Howden and Derwent Reservoirs. To house the workers, Birchinlee was built off the A57 near Fairholmes. The population eventually rose to well over 900 people. Known locally as ‘Tin Town’, the accommodation consisted of workmen’s huts, foremen’s huts and married workmen’s huts, decorated to a high standard. Facilities included a hospital, school, pub, post office, shops, recreation hall, public bathhouse, police station, railway station and even a rubbish dump with an incinerator. The work was hard, but the excellent living conditions and incredible scenery helped to make up for it. For a time, water demand was satisfied, but the need continued to increase, and Ladybower Reservoir was built in the 1930s.
UPPER HULME (off the A53, Leek to Buxton Road – SK011609)
Although Upper Hulme is only a tiny village clustered around what was once one of Tatton’s Mills, the mill was renowned for producing black dyes. Despite being on a minor road, it gets exceptionally busy at weekends and during peak holiday periods as it is the route used by many walkers, cyclists, and motorists to access the Roaches and Hen Cloud, and some of the most scenic countryside in the Peak District.
The houses in the village are built from local sandstone and are a lovely rose colour. There are two pubs, Ye Olde Rock Inn and the Winking Man, on the A53 and delightful tearooms with magnificent views at Paddock Farm. Ramshaw Rocks, which rise impressively above the A53, have a rather unusual feature as you approach the rocks from the Leek direction. You will see, on your left, the rough outline of a man’s head worn in the rock, with a gap in the eye socket, which, as you pass, appears to wink at you. It is caused by rocks briefly obstructing the view of the sky. Not surprisingly, the rock formation is known as the Winking Man, and a little further along the road towards Buxton is a pub of the same name
