Around the Hope Valley

After a relaxing day yesterday, it was time to head back home, but on the way we'd planned to visit another part of the Peak District, the higher Dark Peak area further north. We parked in the village of Hope, surrounded by hills on all sides, and had our boots with us for another walk.

Two of the more prominent hills around the Hope valley are known as Win Hill and Lose Hill. Their names supposedly stuck when an army from Northumbria camped on one hill, whereas an opposing army from Mercia and Wessex camped on the other. The Northumbrians won the ensuing battle and the two hills gained their names afterwards.

It's a good story but sadly there's no historical evidence to say that it could be true (nor is it true that the Geordies have never since had a better away win - though I can't think of one).

Our walk today took us past the remains of an old Roman camp, then over the railway and up the side of Win Hill almost to the top. Just before the way back down we had a good view of Lose Hill too, so gained an impression of how the battle might have been fought.

On the way down, we passed a farm with some friendly farm cats which makes a change from the usual ferocious barking dogs, and after making a fuss of them, we carried on back to the village where a mug of tea and cake were on the menu at the nearby cafe.