Walking around Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire

[RogerS]

Is anyone familiar with this area?

A year or so ago I saw a brilliant photo in the paper of a Lanc flying over the Derwent Dam as a memorial flight to the Dambusters....they used that dam to train on.

This year on Thursday is the 70th anniversary and so three flypasts of the BBMF plus Tornadoes of 617 Squadron....could be rather good to watch.

Severn Trent are advising people not to go as (a) the roads might be closed if there are too many people and (b) severe parking restrictions. They are suggesting Chatsworth instead but that would be so boring IMO and pointless.

So I was looking at Google and wondering how feasible/what the routes were like/what the land was like....can you simply roam/walk in a straight line? Thinking of parking up and yomping cross-country.

But then I also looked at the diesel cost £85!! ouch

Last question....is this dam the one between Derwent and Ladybower, does anyone know?

 

[Jacob]

You just need to look at a map - OL1 (ISBN 0319235890).
There are plenty of routes in. Walking over from the Snake road would be one. Or longer trudges from the other side over Derwent Moor.*
Personally I'd bike in from wherever I could park e.g Hope and a route via Aston and Thornhill. There's a really good cycle route around Ladybower itself, and the other dams. Bike is the way otherwise you are just stuck with the mob and the traffic.
Ladybower in the first snap, Derwent Dam in the second I think.

*PS these could involve serious hill walking if the weather is bad so you'd need boots, waterproofs, map, compass.
Drop in here and I could lend you the map and kit, you miserable git.

 

[flh801978]

Roger
You welcome to come and park up at my house in sheff and get the bus and its then a 2 mile walk to derwent dam wall from where the bus drops you off
Ian

 

[zb1]

They are practising the route a couple of time a week at the moment (not with a Lancaster though). It passes straight over my workshop between Derwent Reservoir and Chatsworth. It's noisy as hell with 4 jets passing over at about 200? ft. It makes me understand why aerial domination is so sought after in warzones. It scares the bejesus out of you if you get caught unawares.

 

[RogerS]

Thanks everyone.

Ian, do you have a link to a bus timetable by any chance?

 

[flh801978]

I dont but i can get you on a bus or drive you as close as i can get in my car or take you on motorbike all the way ...It will be busy there
Its only 15 mins from here

 

[RogerS]

Ian

I really appreciate your kind offer but I've been veto'd by SWMBO....better planning needed on my part for next time methinks

Roger

 

[Jacob]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7405514.stm

 

[Eric The Viking]

I read Brickhill's book as a child, but seeing it on modern TV is staggering. One slight mistake with the stick and they'd have been in the water. I know the flypast wasn't at the bombing altitude, but it looked scary enough as it was.

If you did get to see it in real life, I'm envious.

E.

 

[Jacob]

For you Tommy, ze vor iss never over!

 

[colinc]

Hi,

I had the pleasure of flying down the valley over the dams in a Beagle Pup last Saturday. We were somewhat higher in order to be legal, but it makes you appreciate the level of skill those guys had to do what they did in the dark whilst being shot at.

regards,

Colin