Eight go to the Peak District - Upper Hulme (January 2026)

We were a select group of eight staying in the very stylish and comfortable Stanley’s Rest bunkhouse in Upper Hulme near Leek. The bunk house was complete with a hot tub which we enjoyed on our first evening and after our Saturday walk. The weekend began with a pub meal at the “Winking Man” on Friday night.

Ibexers love a hot tub ©Patricia White

We had an excellent varied 17.5 km walk on Saturday led by Catriona. We set out from the bunk house heading up to Hencloud – the beginning of The Roaches ridge – and then along the length of the ridge down towards the picturesque hamlet of Gradbach. We were surprised to find an ice cream van parked on top of the ridge. We then followed the boardwalks through Hansel and Gretal woods to Luds Church, an intriguing warren of narrow gulleys which was the meeting place of the dissident Lollards in the 15th century. We ate our lunch sitting in the sunshine by the scout camp at Gradbach, and then returned along the valley below the Roaches taking in Ramshaw rocks before returning to the bunkhouse.

Heading up to Hencloud ©Patricia White

At the summit (505m) ©Patricia White

A bit chilly for ice cream

Along the boardwalk ©Heather McGill

Hansel and Gretel Woods ©Patricia White

Luds church © Jo Lorraine Johnson-Zammit

A delicious roast dinner, chowder soup and raspberry quark delight was prepared by David, Anja and Mags.

The following day was wet and foggy and only four of us set out for a hill walk, but after driving into thick fog quickly decided to descend to Tittsworth reservoir for a 7.5 km walk and coffee and cake at the visitor centre.

At the reservoir

Thank you to Patricia for organizing an excellent weekend!