A winter walk in 1884
The Goyt Valley in winter can be a truly magical place. A poem written in 1884 celebrates a walk from a ‘lone hostel on the barren moor’ which must have been the Cat & Fiddle Inn.
Errwood Hall interior
James asks whether there are any floor plans of Errwood Hall, or interior photos. And whether anyone has a copy of the auctioneers catalogue for the final sale. Please get in touch if you can help.
Bunsal Incline bridge
A recently discovered photo shows the bridge over the Bunsal Incline on the C&HP Railway in the late 1960s, shortly before the track was tarmacked to create the main route into the valley.
C&HPR photo: where is it?
Trying to pinpoint the position of a section the C&HP Railway shown in an old photo posed a bit of a mystery. We think it might show a rare view of the track as it heads towards the valley.
Ode to the Dale o’ Goyt
In previous times the Goyt Valley was known as ‘The Dale of The Goyt’. Written in 1908, this poem describes the natural beauty which inspired poets, writers, photographers and painters.
Shank’s mare to Goyt’s Bridge
An account of a walk in the late 1890s from Buxton, via Burbage, Derbyshire Bridge and Goytsclough, to Goyt’s Bridge and Errwood Hall. It includes some wonderful detail.
Fatal accident on the C&HPR
A collision between two trains on the Cromford & High Peak Railway left one man dead and the other seriously injured. It also spelled the end of passengers being taken along the route.
The High Peak Railway (1880)
The Cromford & High Peak Railway ran through the Goyt Valley from 1831 to 1892. Mike has discovered a fascinating report from the Victorian writer, Strephon, of a trip along the entire route.
The Cat & Fiddle Inn
The Cat & Fiddle Inn lay on the edge of Samuel Grimshawe’s Errwood Estate, close to the source of the River Goyt. I’ve just published a fascinating collection of old postcards showing the pub.
Clearing the rhododendrons
The Forestry Commission is clearing a lot of the rhododendrons from the valley. They say they’re both invasive and diseased. I just hope they don’t clear too many as I love to see them in full bloom.
The Valley of the Goyt (1880)
Another of Strephon’s wonderful articles describing his walks through the Goyt Valley. This one tells of a circular walk from Buxton, via Goyt’s Bridge and Derbyshire Bridge, taken in early 1880.
Goyt Valley postcards
A wonderful collection of old postcards – many dating back to the early 1900s – showing the drowned hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge, and views of the River Goyt from Derbyshire Bridge to Taxal.
Edward ‘Strephon’ Bradbury
Strephon’s articles describing his travels in the Goyt Valley in the early 1880s are very popular. It’s a very Victorian style, but well worth the effort. Mike has managed to discover some facts about the author.
Goyt’s Bridge painting
This painting of Goyt’s Bridge is one of the most attractive I’ve seen, and full of wonderful detail. It’s sad to think that such a picturesque spot now lies beneath the waters of Errwood Reservoir.
Mystery stones
Dennis wonders whether anyone might know why five stones, some of which are crudely carved with numbers, lie on the side of Shooters Clough. Could they be the graves of favourite gun dogs?
Goyt’s Moss Farm
Goyt’s Moss Farm once lay beside the Macclesfield Old Road. It was completely rebuilt sometime after the 1930s and now serves as a Peak District National Park Rangers Information Centre.
The stepping stones
A rare postcard of the stepping stones at Goyt’s Bridge, probably taken around 1910. I hadn’t seen this view before and it reveals some wonderful detail of this most picturesque spot.
Goyt’s Bridge in 1853
Recently discovered in the Devonshire Collection at Chatsworth House; the earliest detailed map of Goyt’s Bridge, dated 1853. Drawn some 10 years after the completion of Errwood Hall.
Goyt Valley early ’30s #1
A scenic view across The Goyt towards Goytsbridge Farm in the distance. It’s one of a collection of photos of the valley taken in the early ’30s, shortly before the construction of the twin reservoirs.
Down the Valley in 1881
Our 19th century travellers are “soon in the deep cool solitude of the Goyt valley, beautiful with colours that the miserably inadequate art of word-painting is utterly lost to reproduce.”
