Taxal Bridge

Taxal Bridge

Above: Another image from the Whaley Bridge Photos website showing the bridge over the Goyt at Taxal. Judging by the hand colouring, and the ladies’ clothes, I’d have guessed it was taken in the early 1900s. But the bicycle looks closer to the 1930s....
Cheshire tithe maps

Cheshire tithe maps

Above: The 1849 tithe map clearly shows the newer Stonyway Bar toll house at the junction of the two turnpikes. And the old one to the left, which appears to have been converted to a house. Alec has discovered a wonderful website that reveals a lot about the history...
Goyt’s Moss Farmhouse

Goyt’s Moss Farmhouse

Above: Goyt’s Moss Farmhouse lay beside the Old Buxton to Macclesfield Turnpike.  The single-track road to the twin reservoirs is just out of the picture on the right. And the road snaking away into the distance ends close to the Cat & Fiddle, at the...
Milestones update

Milestones update

Above: It’s easy to miss the milestone opposite Anncroft Road in Burbage, particularly as its directions and distances are now buried within the surrounding stones. The inset map shows that it would have stated 10 3/4 miles to Macclesfield. And 1 mile the other...
Stonyway toll gate

Stonyway toll gate

Above: This 1795 map shows Stonyway Gate lying on the first turnpike between Buxton and Macclesfield, which was completed in 1759. The second turnpike was opened in 1823, and crossed the old route at the same spot. After tracking down the milestone between the Cat...
Withinleach Farm

Withinleach Farm

Above: The ruins of Withinleach Farm lie close to St Joseph’s Shrine (inset), beside the path leading from Errwood Hall. The ruins of Withinleach Farm lie just a short distance from St. Joseph’s Shrine, the small circular building dedicated to the Spanish...
Goytsclough postcard #2

Goytsclough postcard #2

Above: The photo was taken from the slopes surrounding Goytsclough Quarry, looking south along the road to Derbyshire Bridge.The River Goyt runs along the valley to the left. A mill lade flowing from the river along the hillside supplied water to the giant waterwheel....
Goytsclough postcard #1

Goytsclough postcard #1

Above: The circled area of the postcard includes the ruins of the paint mill, as well as Goytsclough Farm high on the hillside, and the paint mill cottages. Zooming into the ruins of the mill seems to show an area of stone walling which I think may have housed...
Finding Goytsclough cottages

Finding Goytsclough cottages

Above: The cottages at Goytsclough would probably have housed the mill manager’s family. I’ve just created a ‘then & now’ fade featuring one of my favourite views of the Goyt Valley (see below). The photo must have been taken around the end...
Long Hill mystery

Long Hill mystery

Above; Don asks whether anyone knows what might once have been here, at the junction of the Long Hill road and Goyt’s Lane. I’ve recently moved back to Buxton, which is the reason for the recent flurry of posts as I try to catch up with all the projects...