what3words ///wimp.matter.deflated
Severn Trent Water, Heatherdene, A6013, High Peak, S33 0BY
A day in the Peak District National Park completing a walk up Win Hill taking in the Ladybower Plugholes.
The route we followed was from the Peak District Kids website, they are available as a printable download for just £1.50. We parked at Hetherdene Car Park, the address and What3Words are at the top of this post. The car park costs £3.50 for 2 hours or £6 all day.
It is recommended to get there as early as possible, as it gets full quickly. There are toilets at the car park. We do recommend using them as they are very nice toilets. More importantly there are no others on the route. We do however carry our whizzer allowing kids to go the toilet when we are out.
If you prefer to use a map for the route, you will need the OL1 Ordnance Survey map. These are available from Ordnance Survey or Amazon.
We set off from the car park, walking down the road alongside Ladybower Reservoir, through some gate and crossed the bridge, this is where you will see the giant plugholes, there is one in each corner.
We followed the path round, and then ventured into the woods. Being as we had paid for all day parking we could take our time to take in the surroundings, from the lush greenery, to the different coloured butterflies exploring the landscape.
The beauty of nature
If you can persuade kids to be quiet for a period of time, just take some time to listen to nature ‘happening’. As we headed up the steps (some of which are steep) we paused as the sun rays burst though the trees.
We got through the wood to be greeted with a view that is hard to describe. Before we started the climb to the top of Win Hill we stopped for a snack. As we did a couple of mountain bikers came hurtling down the hill. The hill is used by all sorts of people, young families, large groups and mountain bikers, all very considerate of everyone else out there.
Open air to the top
From here to the top, enjoy the views and the open air. Walking along the trails or through the grasses. Once you reach the top you are on final push to the top of Win Hill.
The slippery descent
As we started the descent on the pver side of the hill we stopped for lunch. After refuelling we headed down. We took our time, because of the great British weather the ground on the way down was very slippery and narrow. Tree roots, stones and mud makign up the gound. After reaching the bottom we followed the ban of the reservoir and then back acrossthe bridge before returnign to the car park for a welldeserved rest before driving back.
Tips
To make the most of the day, strongly recommend the use of walking boots even for kids, we have found these at Decathlon that don’t have laces but have elastic instead.