Pilsbury Castle, Hartington & Sheen from Longnor

A Peak District walk that explores the uppear reaches of the Dove and Manifold Valleys. The route is generally easy to navigate and uses a series of paths and tracks across the Limestone country. Refreshments are available at the start and at Hartington.

Technical sheet

293238
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.28 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 256 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 253 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 333 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 221 m

Description der Wandertour

(S/E) The route starts by following the road east to Crowdicote where you cross the infant River Dove just before entering the village. Once over the river turn right (grid ref. SK100651) onto a track leading towards Bridge End Farm. The track goes to the south of the farm. At a path junction (grid ref. SK101649) continue straight ahead onto a clear track. At a walled lane (grid ref. SK108644) you can either follow the path closest the river or bear left and follow a path that stays beside a wall just below some limestone outcrops. Both paths lead you to Pilsbury castle (grid ref SK115638).

(1) After passing this former Motte and Bailey earthwork bear right and follow the path/track (with wall to your immediate right) to reach the road in Pilsbury (grid ref. SK116635). Bear left up the lane and after approximately 500 metres take the signed footpath on your right. Reaching a cross wall (grid ref. SK124634), turn right and follow the clear grassy path for one and a half miles to reach a lane (grid ref. SK130612). Turn right along the lane and after 250 metres take the walled track on your right and descend to a lane at the bottom. Turn left and walk into the centre of Hartington village with its duck pond and opportunities for refreshments.

(2) The walk continues by turning right down an access drive beside the Cheese Shop and signed to Sheen. The path turns sharp right before the factory and continues across pastures, goes over the River Dove and continues up to the road in the village of Sheen (grid ref. SK111612). Turn left and take the first footpath on your right leading across fields to a lane through Brund village (grid ref. SK102611). Turn right and follow the lane down to a junction (grid ref. SK099614). Turn left and almost immediately take the signed Manifold Trail on your right. Follow the generally well-signed Manifold Trail for two and a half miles back to Longnor(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 289 m
  2. 1 : km 3.29 - alt. 268 m - Bear right
  3. 2 : km 7.89 - alt. 230 m - Hartington - Turn right
  4. S/E : km 15.28 - alt. 291 m

Practical information

This part of the Peak District sees fewer walkers than many parts of the National Park. The route follows the course of the River Dove south to Hartington via Pilsbury Castle and returns using a section of the Manifold Trail following its namesake river. The start is the market square in Longnor (café and pubs) at grid ref. SK088649.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Nick Deighton
Nick Deighton

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 19/11/22
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy enough to follow but we always have the OS maps app available to help. Better scenery on the Longnor to Hartington section. Mainly grazing land and possibly not really a walk for the winter unless you're prepared for soggy conditions underfoot. Very wet and muddy from Hartington to Longnor. This would probably explain why we saw hardly anyone in for the final four miles. Plenty of refreshments available at Hartington. Longnor appeared to be closed on Sunday afternoon.

Anna-Beth
Anna-Beth

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 17/02/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Absolutely beautiful walk. Stunning scenery, and a bit of a history lesson at the castle. We stopped to have lunch in Hartington.
Unfortunately got a bit lost on the way from Hartington to Sheen, so added and extra 5km to our walk. We decided that as it was getting dark we should walk on the road for the last 3 miles.
We will definitely be doing the walk again.
Perfect for dogs too.

Sarita J
Sarita J

Sorry to hear you had trouble with this walk. Did you manage to complete the walk in the end? If you have any suggests on how we can improve the walk description for future walkers, it would be much appreciated!

Leedsutd6976
Leedsutd6976

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : 23/09/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good start...but got lost after sheen as a sign post offered 2 directions in a field..we followed one only to have directions disappear leaving us guessing which way to go and having to eventually retrace steps.

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