For those of you that might want take a train journey and enjoy a ramble! Why not take a trip to Buxton and see its Wells, buildings, gardens and scenery.
Leaving Preston at 8.47am one can be in Buxton just before eleven.  This gives approximately five to six hours to take a walk around the west and south of this historic town and to take tea in the Pavilion Gardens.  Trains leave Buxton for Blackpool North at 16.30 and 16.59 Monday to Friday.  The return fare from Preston, using a Senior Rail Card, is £11.80. (June 2010).
 

From the station, walk west along St Johns Road (A53) to turn right into Carlisle Road and then left along Watford Road.  On approaching the Golf Club take a well defined track to the left of the clubs sign board.

In the main the route is well trodden and signed; however, one or two parts of the route are unclear.  They are:

1.  At Watford Farm (overlooking golf course) there are three paths. The intended route is shown as a steep ascent up through Watford Wood (behind farm). Instead, take the easier route by passing south in front of the farm house and then turning right along a form of path to find a gate in a wall declining access.. Keep the wall on your left and ascend to find a gate giving access to a dwelling named “The Beet”.  Pass through the garden and to emerge on to a lane. 

2. Emerging on to a highway at Burbage cross to Level Lane and walk down it to find a path on the left of a gate next to a lamp post and a hidden footpath sign.  Follow the path which ascends on to open moorland near to the A54.  Climb over a black and white painted stile and ascend to a stile at the side of a track.  Don’t cross the stile but follow a path over the moorland, roughly in a southern direction with the A54 on your left.  The path peters out overlooking a stream but the aim is to descend and cross the stream, heading for a utilities building on the side of the A54 at GR 03270 71330. At this point cross the A54 and turn left (east) along a signposted track.  Where the track turns right, go ahead down a field to pass below The Terret (on the left) to eventually join a highway.

3. At Fern House (lots of horses) follow the well defined enclosed path to join a lane. A few yards down the lane bear left along the hedge on the boundary of a large open public area to find an enclosed path skirting school grounds.  When the path emerges on to a highway, go down College Road opposite and follow the signs to Pavilion Gardens.

If you would like to know more about this walk please contact Norman: norman@normanthebus.plus.com