Ilam village so resembles the set of a pantomime that you half expect a chorus of milkmaids to skip out of the cottage gardens and dance round a maypole. But Ilam has hidden secrets, for here the River Manifold re-appears after a long and mysterious journey through the underworld. The river certainly looks as though it has been somewhere hot, for it comes out into daylight churning like a boiling kettle. Then innocently the Manifold glides under St Bertram's Bridge, looking as if it has never had an adventure in its life. One busy day there was standing room only in the grounds of Ilam Hall, but on the climb to Upper Musden Farm we didn't meet a single soul.
LOCATION: South Peak District
START: Blore Pastures Picnic Site. Follow signs to Ilam from A523
Grid ref: SK135499 Postcode: DE6 2BS
DISTANCE: 5 miles
GRADE: Easy, with a gentle ascent
TIME: 3 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - White Peak Landranger 119
REFRESHMENTS: Manifold Tea Room (open in season)
EN ROUTE: Hamps, Musden
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News