Deep Dale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deep Dale |
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Deep Dale near King Sterndale
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| Length | 2 miles (3 km) |
| Width | 200 metres (656 ft) |
| Depth | 70 metres (230 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Derbyshire, England |
| Rivers | A winterbourne stream |
Deep Dale is a beautiful, narrow valley found near Buxton, Derbyshire, in the Peak District of England. It's a short gorge with very steep sides. There's another valley also called Deep Dale about 4 miles (6.4 km) away, near Sheldon.
This valley is carved into a flat area of farmland. It sits just southwest of a small village called King Sterndale. The top part of the valley is known as Back Dale. There's also a smaller valley branching off called Horseshoe Dale. At the bottom of Deep Dale, to the north, you'll find Wye Dale. During the summer, Deep Dale can be dry. But it has a special stream called a winterbourne stream. This stream flows only at certain times of the year, fed by springs. One spring is called Deepdale Side Resurgence, and another is near Thirst House Cave. The water from this stream eventually flows into the River Wye.
Contents
Exploring Thirst House Cave
Thirst House Cave is a fascinating spot in Deep Dale. Its name comes from "Th'Hurst House," which was once "Hob Hurst House." People used to believe a goblin lived in this cave! (Don't mix it up with Hob Hurst's House, which is an ancient burial mound).
Discoveries in the Cave
The cave is about 58 meters (190 feet) long. In the late 1800s, two local men, Micah Salt and Robert Milletts, explored the cave. They started digging after some boys found a bear's skull inside. Their digging led to amazing discoveries! They found many items from the Roman times. These included shiny bronze jewelry, colorful brooches with enamel, pieces of pottery, old coins, and even an iron and bone knife. Many of these cool objects are now on display at the Buxton Museum.
A Special Place for Nature
Deep Dale and Topley Pike are part of a protected nature reserve. This special area is looked after by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. It's a very important place for plants and animals.
Plants and Trees
The reserve is home to many different kinds of trees. You can find whitebeam, yew, ash, and hazel trees. On the lower, rocky slopes, there's a plant called limestone fern. Higher up, on the steep slopes, you'll see wild flowers like bilberry and cowberry. Other beautiful flowers include bloody crane's bill, clustered bellflower, rock rose, and Nottingham catchfly. Because sheep don't graze here, native grasses like meadow oat and carnation sedge can grow freely.
Wildlife in the Valley
The tall limestone cliffs in Deep Dale are a great home for birds. You might spot kestrels flying overhead or jackdaws nesting in the rocks. Because of its unique nature, Topley Pike and Deep Dale are also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a nationally important area for its wildlife and geology.
Paths and Climbing
Deep Dale is a popular place for walkers and climbers. Several long-distance footpaths pass through or near the valley.
Walking Trails
- The Buxton to Chelmorton part of the Midshires Way footpath crosses Deep Dale.
- The Priest's Way path goes right through the bottom of Deep Dale and into Horseshoe Dale.
- The Peak District Boundary Walk route comes down Deep Dale, follows Wye Dale, and then heads north towards Chee Dale.
Rock Climbing
The cliffs in Deep Dale are made of carboniferous limestone. These rock faces are very popular with people who enjoy rock climbing. There are four main climbing areas, called buttresses, along the valley. These offer many different climbing routes for various skill levels.
Topley Pike Quarry
At the northwest end of Deep Dale, there's a very large limestone quarry called Topley Pike Quarry. It first opened in 1907. Today, it's operated by a company called Tarmac Roadstone Holdings Ltd. A long drystone wall runs along the floor of the valley. This wall marks an old boundary between different mining areas.
Visiting Deep Dale
Getting into this deep valley can be a bit tricky. The easiest way for visitors to start their walk is from the Wye Dale car park. This car park is located just over the A6 road at the north end of Deep Dale.
There are also four other ways to enter the dale and its nature reserve. These entry points are over stiles from nearby valleys like Chelmorton, King Sterndale, Horseshoe Dale, and Brierlow Dale. However, be aware that these paths have steep slopes!
Please note that the footpath through the lower part of Deep Dale is currently closed. It will be closed from 2017 until 2025. This is for a natural restoration project, after a large pile of waste from the quarry was removed. A different path is available to the east for walkers.
Images for kids
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Deep Dale near King Sterndale
