Manifold Way facts for kids

The Manifold Way is a special path in Staffordshire, England. It's perfect for walking and cycling! This path is about 8 miles long. It starts at Hulme End in the north and goes all the way to Waterhouses in the south.

The Manifold Way mostly follows the beautiful Manifold Valley. It also goes along the valley of the River Hamps, which is the Manifold's only tributary. This path used to be a railway line called the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway. This old railway had a narrow track, only 2 feet 6 inches wide! It closed down in 1934 after a short time.

Discovering the Manifold Way

The Manifold Way was opened in July 1937. Staffordshire County Council created it after the railway company, the LMS, gave them the old railway track.

What Makes the Path Great?

The path is covered in tarmac, which makes it smooth. It also has a gentle downhill slope from north to south. This means it's easy to use for everyone, including people in wheelchairs or with prams.

Sharing the Path with Cars

For about 1 and a half miles near Wetton Mill, the path shares its route with a small road. This section even includes a tunnel called Swainsley tunnel! However, there's a special "Manifold Trail" that goes along the eastern side of the river. This trail helps you avoid most of the road section.

A Sheltered Valley Journey

Unlike other paths nearby, like the Tissington Trail or the High Peak Trail, the Manifold Way stays in the valley bottoms. This makes it much more sheltered and peaceful. The path goes through amazing scenery. In fact, tourism was one of the main reasons the original railway was built!

Popular Places to See

Along the way, you can visit some cool spots:

• Thor's Cave: A famous cave that looks like a giant eye.
• The old mill at Wetton Hill.
• Beeston Tor: A dramatic rock formation.

Just a little to the east, you'll find Dovedale, which is another very well-known beauty spot.

Villages Along the Way

The Manifold Way doesn't go through any big towns. A railway worker once joked that the line started in the middle of nowhere and ended up in the same place! While the railway did serve small villages and hamlets, most of them were about a mile above the valley. This made it hard for people to use the railway, which was one reason it eventually closed.

Rivers and History

As you walk along the Manifold Way, the Manifold and Hamps rivers are always close by. You'll cross dozens of small bridges over them!

The Disappearing River Manifold

During the summer months, something amazing happens. The River Manifold actually disappears underground! It goes into a swallet (which is like a sinkhole) near Wetton Mill. Then, it reappears some distance away, at Ilam.

Old Railway Stations

There were ten stations and halts (small stops) along the old railway line. Most had a small waiting room and a siding for trains. Today, you can still see where these halts were. You can also find some evidence of the loading platforms, especially at Ecton. The dairy there used to send a lot of business to the railway.

Nature and Activities

The Manifold Way, being in the valley bottom, is a great place to see different flora (plants) and fauna (animals). You might spot various types of wildlife! Besides the main path, there are many other circular walking routes in the area that use parts of the Manifold Way.

National Trust Land

The Manifold Way passes through some areas that are part of the South Peak Estate. These lands are owned by the National Trust, which is a charity that protects special places.

Things to Do and See

• At Hulme End, the old station building has been restored. It's now a visitor centre where you can learn more.
• The cafe and shop at Wetton Mill is a popular place to stop for a break.
• At Ecton Hill, you can see the remains of a copper mine that is 4,000 years old!
• The caves at Beeston Tor have shown signs of people living there during the Neolithic (New Stone Age) and Bronze Age periods.

Facilities for Visitors

The path is kept in good condition. There are several car parks and places to get refreshments (some are mobile vans) located conveniently along the way. If you want to camp, there are campsites at Hulme End and Wetton Village. You can also hire bikes at Waterhouses, which is at the southern end of the trail.

Images for kids

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  A typical view - looking south along the route today, near Wetton.

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  Another typical view - looking north from the same viewpoint.