OUTDOOR PURSUITS

For those seeking an adrenalin rush through an active getaway, The Merchant’s Yard offers an unrivaled location. Situated just off the Limestone Way and Pennine Bridleway, there are many circular routes to be taken from your doorstep through breathtaking limestone scenery, whether on foot, horse or bike.  If your feet get tired, why not stretch both your mind and your body by trying your hand at gliding. The cliff-top airfield of the Derbyshire and Lancashire Gliding Club is only 3 miles away and even the timid can try their hand at flying with a fully trained glider pilot on a trial flight (www.members.gliding.co.uk/club/derby-lancs-g-c).

 

Alternatively, if you want to identify even more with our feathered friends, try hang-gliding or paragliding. Local resident and former world female record holder Julie Leden set the British distance record in 2004 from a cliff only three miles away. For details of the many near hang gliding and paragliding sites contact the Soaring Club at www.derbyshiresoaringclub.org.uk

 

For those who like heights whilst keeping their feet on the ground, the locality offers an abundance of challenging climbs both on gritstone crags, limestone pillars, and rock faces. Within ten miles is the pinnacle of British gritstone rock climbing with climbing routes of all difficulties at Stanage and Curbar Edges. A similar distance west lies the atmospheric Roaches rising as sentries in the landscape.

 

If you prefer climbing in the dark, Derbyshire limestone offers an unrivalled choice of caves, old mines, and caverns. Nearby Eldon Hole is the most spectacular for experienced cavers, whilst Nettle Pot is deeper at some 170 metres. The show caverns at Castleton and Buxton are a gentler alternative; (see the family attractions entry.)

 

Although a little farther afield, but still within the Peak District, there are a number of sailing facilities on lakes and reservoirs such as at Carsington Water, (see www.carsingtonwater.com).