Long Dale

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Long Dale
Long Dale & Gratton Dale
Gratton Dale - Long Dale junction - geograph.org.uk - 1614951.jpg
Gratton Dale - Long Dale junction
Length4 kilometres (2.5 mi)NW-SE and SW-NE
Width250 metres (820 ft)
Depth50 metres (164 ft)
Geography
Location Derbyshire, England
Population centers Elton
Coordinates 53°08′23″N1°43′08″W / 53.1396°N 1.7190°W / 53.1396; -1.7190
RiversRowlow Brook

Long Dale Nature Reserve Long Dale - geograph.org.uk - 525450.jpg
Long Dale Nature Reserve

Long Dale is a carboniferous limestone valley near the village of Elton, Derbyshire, in the Peak District of England. The dale is cut into the plateau of Gratton Moor and Smerrill Moor and lies to the north of the hamlet of Pikehall, which is the venue of the annual Y Not Festival. Midway down the valley it turns sharply left and is known as Gratton Dale. Most of the valley is dry but Rowlow Brook flows down the lower part of Gratton Dale towards Dale End and onwards to become the River Bradford at Youlgreave. [1]

Long Dale is part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. Natural England manages the reserve which covers five separate dales of the White Peak (Lathkill Dale, Cressbrook Dale, Hay Dale, Long Dale and Monk's Dale). The reserve contains ash and elm woodland and shrubs including hawthorn and elder. Abundant flowers include mountain pansy. On the spoil heaps of the old lead mines there are rare flowers such as spring sandwort (Minuartia verna) and alpine pennycress (Thlaspi alpestre). Native grasses include meadow oat and carnation sedge interspersed with heather, bilberry and dwarf gorse. Long Dale & Gratton Dale is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). [2] [3]

Overlooking Long Dale, the Smerrill Moor, Smerrill Barn and Long Dale bowl barrows are protected Scheduled Monuments. These Bronze Age burial mounds are about 10m across. They were excavated by Thomas Bateman in 1857 and he found numerous human skeletons, flint tools and a decorated Beaker pottery drinking vessel. [4] [5] [6]

On the east side of Gratton Dale are the remains of old lead mines (Rath Rake, Cowlica Rake, Dunnington, Hardbeat, Hardwork and Gatcliffe) which are a Scheduled Monument. Evidence of ancient surface lead mining comes from Roman brooches that were found in Victorian times at Cowlica Rake and Hardbeat mine. Records of intensive lead mining since the 1640s include disputed claims of mining rights. The remains include mine shafts, building ruins and earthworks. [7]

Just south of the head of Gratton Dale are the remains of Mouldridge Grange, which was a medieval farmstead run by monks from the Augustinian priory. The remaining earthworks of buildings and enclosures are a Scheduled Monument. [8]

There is a clear bridlepath along the length of the valley floor. The Pennine Bridleway runs parallel to Long Dale, about 1 km to the west. Long Dale is on the route of the 65 kilometres (40 mi) long Limey Way, which links up 20 Derbyshire dales. [1] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Derbyshire</span> History of the county of Derbyshire in England

The history of Derbyshire can be traced back to human settlement since the last Ice Age, over 10,000 years ago. The county of Derbyshire in England dates back to the 11th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Lathkill</span> River in England

The River Lathkill is a river in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lathkill Dale</span> Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District

Lathkill Dale is the valley of the River Lathkill near Bakewell, Derbyshire in the Peak District of England. The river emerges into the dale from springs below Lathkill Head Cave. Towards the head of the dale is the side valley Cales Dale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limestone Way</span> Long-distance footpath in England

The Limestone Way is a waymarked long-distance footpath in Derbyshire, England. It runs for 46 miles (74 km) through the White Peak of the Peak District National Park, from Castleton south to Rocester over the county boundary into Staffordshire. The trail is named for the limestone scenery along its route. It was devised by Brian Spencer of Matlock Rotary Club and developed and opened in 1986 by the West Derbyshire District Council. It originally ran to Matlock, but was extended to its current, longer route in 1992 to join up with the Staffordshire Way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Longstone</span> Human settlement in England

Great Longstone with Little Longstone is one of two villages in the local government district of Derbyshire Dales in Derbyshire, England. The population as taken at the 2011 Census was 843.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballidon</span> Human settlement in England

Ballidon is a village and civil parish in the Derbyshire Dales district of Derbyshire, England, on the edge of the Peak District National Park. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 79. The population at the 2011 Census remained less than 100. Details are maintained in the civil Parish of Aldwark, Derbyshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limey Way</span> Challenge walk through Derbyshire, England

The Limey Way is a 65-kilometre (40 mi) challenge walk through Derbyshire, England. It starts at Castleton and progresses through 15 major and 5 minor limestone dales to reach the River Dove and Dovedale, the walk's end.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Hucklow</span> Human settlement in England

Little Hucklow is a village and civil parish in Derbyshire. Whilst it is a separate civil parish in the Derbyshire Dales District, the Parish Council is joint with Great Hucklow, and Grindlow. The parish consists of the village of Little Hucklow and the hamlets of Coplow Dale and Windmill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cressbrook Dale</span> Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District

Cressbrook Dale is a dry carboniferous limestone gorge near Bakewell, Derbyshire, in the Peak District of England. The dale is cut into a plateau of farmland and lies to the south east of the village of Litton. Cressbrook village is at the foot of the valley to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wye Valley, Derbyshire</span> Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District

The Wye Valley is the limestone valley of the River Wye in the White Peak of Derbyshire, England. The source of the River Wye is west of Buxton on Axe Edge Moor. One main channel runs underground through Poole's Cavern. The river flows though Buxton Pavilion Gardens and then along a culvert under the town centre. After leaving the flat area of central Buxton, the Wye Valley becomes distinct as a gorge running east for 10 miles (16 km) before the valley broadens at Ashford-in-the Water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cales Dale</span> Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District

Cales Dale is a short valley towards the head of Lathkill Dale near Monyash, Derbyshire in the Peak District of England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scheduled monuments in the Borough of Erewash</span>

This is a list of scheduled monuments in the Borough of Erewash in the English county of Derbyshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scheduled monuments in Derbyshire Dales</span>

This is a list of scheduled monuments in the district of Derbyshire Dales in the English county of Derbyshire.

This is a list of scheduled monuments in the district of High Peak in the English county of Derbyshire.

This is a list of scheduled monuments in the district of North East Derbyshire in the English county of Derbyshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradwell Moor</span> Hill in the Derbyshire Peak District

Bradwell Moor is a moorland hill above the village of Bradwell, Derbyshire in the Peak District. The summit is 471 metres (1,545 ft) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballidon Dale</span> Valley in the Derbyshire Peak District

Ballidon Dale is a steep-sided, dry carboniferous limestone valley near Parwich in the Derbyshire Peak District of England. The ancient hamlet of Ballidon lies at the southern foot of the dale. Ballidon Quarry and Hoe Grange limestone quarries now dominate the west side of the dale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazlebadge</span> Civil parish in Derbyshire, England

Hazlebadge is a civil parish within the Derbyshire Dales district, in the county of Derbyshire, England. Largely rural, Hazlebadge's population is reported with the population of neighbouring parishes for a total of 427 residents in 2011. It is 143 miles (230 km) north west of London, 29 miles (47 km) north west of the county city of Derby, and 7 miles (11 km) east of the nearest market town of Chapel-en-le-Frith. Hazlebadge is wholly within the Peak District national park, and shares a border with the parishes of Abney and Abney Grange, Bradwell, Brough and Shatton, Great Hucklow as well as Little Hucklow. There are four listed buildings in Hazlebadge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middleton and Smerrill</span> Civil parish in Derbyshire, England

Middleton and Smerrill is a civil parish within the Derbyshire Dales district, in the county of Derbyshire, England. Largely rural except for the village of Middleton-by-Youlgreave and isolated farms, Middleton and Smerrill's population is 137 residents in 2011. It is 130 miles (210 km) north west of London, 20 miles (32 km) north west of the county city of Derby, and 4+12 miles (7.2 km) south west of the nearest market town of Bakewell. Middleton and Smerrill is wholly within the Peak District national park, in the southern part of the area. It is one of the largest parishes but among the smallest by way of residents, and shares a border with the parishes of Gratton, Hartington Middle Quarter, Hartington Nether Quarter, Hartington Town Quarter, Monyash and Youlgreave. There are 31 listed structures in Middleton and Smerrill.

References

  1. 1 2 OL24 White Peak area (Map). 1:25000. Explorer. Ordnance Survey. East sheet.
  2. "Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve (NE154)". Natural England. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. "Long Dale & Gratton Dale SSSI" (PDF). Designated Site - Natural England. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  4. Historic England. "Smerrill Moor bowl barrow (1008010)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  5. Historic England. "Smerrill Barn bowl barrow (1008011)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  6. Historic England. "Long Dale bowl barrow (1007992)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  7. Historic England. "Lead mines 600m and 980m south west of Oddo House Farm (1019045)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. Historic England. "Mouldridge Grange, earthworks immediately south of Mouldrige Grange Farm (1020947)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  9. "john merrill walk guides - THE LIMEY WAY". john merrill walk guides. Retrieved 3 May 2020.