"Press" is a funny name for a village. It's a straggle of cottages located in a rather backwater area of North East Derbyshire between the former industrial towns of Wingerworth and Clay Cross and the countryside heading over towards Wooley Moor and Ogston Reservoir. There is a series of three small reservoirs at Press, created for heaven knows what purpose but these days a haunt for fishermen.
It being an unseasonably sunny day last Sunday (11th March) we set off on the footpath between reservoirs one and two, and soon found ourselves in a muddy, unmade lane. The 17th century stone manor house close by (Manor Farm these days) was apparently once Derbyshire's most hard to access pub. In one direction is the rutted and unsurfaced lane, and in the other a very narrow gated road. Today I suppose it might create a niche market by advertising itself as some kind of four-wheel drive challenge, but back in the day it must have been nigh on impossible to get too, even if you knew where to look. Our guidebook said the manor was built by one Samuel Sleigh, who also gave his name to nearby Sleigh Woods.
At the road junction are a few houses and a Methodist chapel called Salem ("Peace" in Hebrew) which - by the number of cars parked outside and the enthusiastic singing coming from within - is a very popular place of worship. There was a funny story in the guidebook about the evangelical preacher who built it having a fall out with local worthy Sir Henry Hunloke and being prevented from buying stone for the chapel in any of the local quarries, all of which were owned by grumpy Sir Henry.
Nearby is the "Great Pond of Stubbing" - now a tranquil reservoir. It must be the same age as the hall. A small boathouse on the far bank looked appealling.
The path now wound in the direction of Wingerworth, taking the form of stepping stones set in grass. Presumably these prevented Non Conformist Victorian ladies from soiling their dresses whilst walking through the fields to chapel. Up a steep bank and onto the road then up another even steeper incline, this one a narrow road leading into trees. There was a fine sunny view over fields below, starting to look green again after winter, due to the sunshine.
Through and out of the woods, our path started to descend. We stopped to say hello to a friendly donkey and to admire the view which must be enjoyed fron the modern red brick house at the top of the ridge, with its many balconies and terraces.
Heading back towards Press and Northledge hamlets, we passed a cottage with three alpacas in a field outside. They came over to the fence curiously and then frolicked, rolling in the dust. They were odd looking creatures, with large long lashed eyes and what looked like furry leggings. Ahhh!
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| Outside Mr Sleigh's Manor House |
It being an unseasonably sunny day last Sunday (11th March) we set off on the footpath between reservoirs one and two, and soon found ourselves in a muddy, unmade lane. The 17th century stone manor house close by (Manor Farm these days) was apparently once Derbyshire's most hard to access pub. In one direction is the rutted and unsurfaced lane, and in the other a very narrow gated road. Today I suppose it might create a niche market by advertising itself as some kind of four-wheel drive challenge, but back in the day it must have been nigh on impossible to get too, even if you knew where to look. Our guidebook said the manor was built by one Samuel Sleigh, who also gave his name to nearby Sleigh Woods.
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| The splendid post box |
After crossing several fields and stiles (including one with a lot of frogs) we arrived at a footpath eandering around the perimeter of Stubbing Hall Park. The hall is a Georgian building.
The footpath passes its former Home Farm, and a couple of cottages, one of which had a spendid ornamental hen house complete with cockeral weather vane, and a very fancy wrought iron letter box.
At the road junction are a few houses and a Methodist chapel called Salem ("Peace" in Hebrew) which - by the number of cars parked outside and the enthusiastic singing coming from within - is a very popular place of worship. There was a funny story in the guidebook about the evangelical preacher who built it having a fall out with local worthy Sir Henry Hunloke and being prevented from buying stone for the chapel in any of the local quarries, all of which were owned by grumpy Sir Henry.
Nearby is the "Great Pond of Stubbing" - now a tranquil reservoir. It must be the same age as the hall. A small boathouse on the far bank looked appealling.
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| The Great Pond of Stubbing |
The path now wound in the direction of Wingerworth, taking the form of stepping stones set in grass. Presumably these prevented Non Conformist Victorian ladies from soiling their dresses whilst walking through the fields to chapel. Up a steep bank and onto the road then up another even steeper incline, this one a narrow road leading into trees. There was a fine sunny view over fields below, starting to look green again after winter, due to the sunshine.
Through and out of the woods, our path started to descend. We stopped to say hello to a friendly donkey and to admire the view which must be enjoyed fron the modern red brick house at the top of the ridge, with its many balconies and terraces.
Heading back towards Press and Northledge hamlets, we passed a cottage with three alpacas in a field outside. They came over to the fence curiously and then frolicked, rolling in the dust. They were odd looking creatures, with large long lashed eyes and what looked like furry leggings. Ahhh!
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