The best hikes from bus stations around Birchover

A short but exciting scramble up the rocky outcrop behind Birchover village leads to Rowtor Rocks, a wonderland of weirdly carved boulders, hidden tunnels, secret steps, and a proper little cave once used by a 17th-century vicar who liked to play at being a druid. Kids from age 4 absolutely love it here – there’s endless climbing, squeezing through narrow gaps, discovering carved chairs and altars, and plenty of “secret cave” excitement without it ever feeling too big or overwhelming. The paths are short, the rocks are grippy, and little legs can explore to their heart’s content while parents keep an easy eye from just a few metres away. Bring wellies or grippy shoes after rain (it can be slippy) and let the kids lead the adventure – they’ll be talking about their “druid cave mission” for weeks

Great early morning walk, gentle on the knees, fantastic views highly recommended

Cork Stone is one of several interesting standing stones on Stanton Moor. It is 5m tall piece of weathered sandstone located above the remnants of a quarry site. At some point hollowed out steps and metal rings were added to allow people (kids and their grownups!) to climb to the top

This stone circle from the Bronze Age, built thousands of years before the beginning of the Christian era, is neither as large nor nearly as famous as the legendary "Stonehenge" on the plains near Amesbury (which is, after all, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; if you're interested, see =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/960007 ), but this one can be visited without much tourist hustle and bustle, and it also has a much more interesting-sounding name...

Don't forget to check out the Druid's Rocks behind the Inn. Great place to explore.

The original hall was said to have been built between 1628 and 1629 for Francis Moore, a proprietor of several local lead mines. The stone used in the construction is said to have come from the Stancliffe quarries in Darley Dale, being transported on pack horses. The hall was rebuilt by the Moore family around 1720. It was lived in by William Marsland until 1903 and then his widow until 1926 when it was sold for £750 (equivalent to £55,000 in 2023) to Mr. Butler of Wingfield. In the 1970s the hall became Winster Hall Hotel run by Derek and Pauline Wood, but this closed in 1999. It reverted to a private dwelling and is let out as a self-catering holiday home.

The path is horrible in places; sludgy, slippery and so churned up that it very tricky to continue. In some parts, a stream pouring down the hillside actually joins the path to make it even more boggy. 💦 Maybe it's better in summer.

It's a lovely brick built listed building and on the first floor is an unmanned information room with interpretation panels detailing the history of the village and a scale model of Winster. Standing almost in the centre of the main street, Winster Market House is a dominating feature of the village, and stands as testimony to its once thriving past. Winster village itself is interesting to explore on foot, as part of a visit to the Peak District.