Errwood Hall and Shining Tor from the Goyt Valley
Derbyshire
The Goyt Valley west of Buxton was once the private estate of the Grimshawe family, whose Errwood Hall was built in the 1830s and demolished in 1934 when Fernilee Reservoir was constructed downstream. A dog can drink from the becks on the way up, though open access rules mean a lead near the sheep on the moor. The ruins still stand among the azaleas and rhododendrons the family planted, with a small shrine to the estate's Spanish governess nearby. This 8km circuit from The Street car park starts beside Errwood Reservoir, climbs through the old estate to the ruins and then heads steeply up onto the moor to Shining Tor, at 559 metres the highest point in Cheshire, before returning to the valley. There are 357 metres of climbing, on flagstones, boggy moor and faint grassy trails, with no stiles.
This dog friendly walk mixes water, woodland and open moor, and streams along the way give dogs plenty to drink. Much of the upper route is open access land, where the law requires dogs to be on a lead of no more than two metres from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds and at all times around livestock, and sheep can be met on the moor. Outside the nesting season a dog with good recall can have some freedom on the lower paths. The tops are exposed with no shade. Parking at The Street is free, but there are no toilets or cafes at the start or on the route.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Historic, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- No toilets or cafes at the start or on the route; nearest facilities in Buxton or Whaley Bridge.
- Parking
- The Street car park, Goyt Valley, free; fills at peak times. Errwood Hall car park is on the route but the valley road has closures, particularly Sundays.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Errwood Hall and Shining Tor from the Goyt Valley, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in DerbyshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Errwood Hall and Shining Tor from the Goyt Valley dog friendly?
This is a solid choice for a day out with your dog, earning a 7 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 8km circuit has no stiles, streams along the way give dogs plenty to drink, and the mix of woodland, ruins and open moor makes for a varied and interesting walk. The main things to bear in mind are the lead rules on the upper moor and the exposed, shadeless summit of Shining Tor.
Can dogs be off lead at Errwood Hall and Shining Tor from the Goyt Valley?
It depends on the time of year and where you are on the route. The lower paths through the old Errwood estate are more relaxed, and outside the nesting season a dog with good recall can enjoy some freedom there. The upper moor is open access land, which means dogs must be on a lead of no more than two metres between 1 March and 31 July for ground-nesting birds, and at all times when sheep are present — which they can be on the moor.
What should I know before visiting Errwood Hall and Shining Tor from the Goyt Valley with my dog?
There are no toilets or cafes at the start or anywhere on the route, so pack everything you need — the nearest facilities are in Buxton or Whaley Bridge. Parking at The Street car park is free but fills up at busy times, and the valley road can be closed on Sundays, affecting access to Errwood Hall car park. The route includes 357 metres of climbing across flagstones, boggy moor and faint grassy trails, and the tops are exposed with no shade, so it's worth checking the weather before you head out.
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