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White Peak Walks West brings together the two great geological zones of gritstone and limestone. The 40 walks encompass landscapes of history and nature, art and literature, myth and legend.

The walks run from Castleton in the north to Froghall in the south. Tideswell in the east to Bollington in the west. Passing through the landscapes of limestone and gritstone, monks and dragons, Walton and Garnet the walks are rich in atmosphere. Watch a double sunset, ride a dragons back, battle with the Green Knight, feel the past touching you at Thursbitch.

Crossing this land are ancient ways, monastic trails, saltways, old drove roads and the ever present arrow straight roads of the roman empire. There are castles, and caves, great rivers, feats of human engineering in the canals and the delight of steam rail. Walk along the gritstone outcrops famous for climbing and watch the birds of prey soaring high above. Marvel at limestone tors and pinnacles. Trace the rivers of Dove, Hamps, Manifold and Dane and smile widely at the display of flowers and wildlife.

There are the silk towns and the most beautiful villages in England. The sight of the Cheshire Plain, Jordrell Bank nestled in its midst seeking out life beyond our sight, and beyond that the mountains of Wales and the Brecon Beacons, and the Long Mynd.

White Peak Walks Walks West gives a totally different experience to walking than its two companions, White Peak Walks East, and Dark Peaks Walks. A fitting end to the Cicerone Peak District trilogy from Paul Besley and publishers Cicerone.

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‘You walk with this landscape taking with you whatever it has to give that day, a poem to RAIN, the cotton grass on Black Hill, the autumnal golden hour in Hebden Dale the trees bursting forth with reds and golds. And I think we also give a little of ourselves back by simply enjoying being there and savouring the memory of our encounter.

Imagine a walk that takes in a landscape steeped with literature, art, community, and a brass band outside a pub selling real ale. That is the South Pennines.’ Paul Besley 2020

Day Walks in the South Pennines features 20 circular walks between 5 and 18 miles (8km and 29 km) in length, spread across West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Researched and written by knowledgeable and experienced author Paul Besley, the walks range from gentle rambles to more challenging day walks, all through striking and varied terrain.

The routes are split into two geographical areas – Southern Walks, including routes around Dovestones, Ramsden Clough and Holmfirth; and Northern Walks, including routes around Hebden Bridge, Hardcastle Crags and Ilkley Moor.

Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance and navigation information, and refreshment stops and local information.

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42 walks in Derbyshire including Bakewell, Matlock and Stoney Middleton by Paul Besley
Derbyshire's White Peak is a restorative place where visitors can take their time and enjoy gentle rolling hills and peaceful dales. In the first of two volumes to the White Peak, this guide showcases the eastern section by providing 35 day walks and 7 longer walks and trails around the main market towns of Bakewell and Matlock. Other starting points include the quaint limestone villages of Stoney Middleton, Tissington and Youlgreave and the walks travel over rolling green pastures and heathered moorland, through ancient woodland and limestone escarpments.

While Chatsworth Estate is perhaps the most famous site in this area, the land is covered with centuries of human activity from Neolithic henges, medieval ridge and furrow systems, traditional limekilns and austere Victorian mills. Art both new and ancient can be found across these hills; the Companion Stones on White Edge are part of a recent Sites of Meaning project, while fascinating cup and ring stones date back to the Bronze Age.

Alongside comprehensive route description interspersed with a wealth of insights into features passed on the way, this guide features OS mapping for the 35 day walks and 1:50,000 mapping for the 7 longer walks and trails. There is plenty to discover on these walks and this guide provides everything needed to explore the magical landscape of the White Peak.

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Icons of the Dark Peak - such as Kinder Scout, Stanage Edge, the Roaches and Mam Tor - are included, however, the focus is on exploring the lesser-known corners of the region. The routes take in striking gritstone edges, distinctive rock formations, open moorland, steep-sided valleys and hidden waterfalls.
The Dark Peak features a wild landscape of sweeping moorland and big skies. Easily accessible from Sheffield, it boasts a wealth of natural, geological, historical and cultural interest - and some great walking

Paul Besley has spent a lifetime walking through the dales and villages of the White Peak and has written a Cicerone guidebook to the Dark Peak. His interest in human interaction with landscape and his love of the ancient has provided him with thousands of hours of enjoyment. Paul is a regular contributor to magazines, which has taken him across Britain and the world. He is a team member of Mountain Rescue, and a dog handler in Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England with his Border Collie. He lives in Sheffield with his wife Alison Counsell and their dogs Olly, Monty, and search dog Scout

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