Baslow Edge – A Lovely Walk to Soak Up The Culture

A huge part of photography is planning, and this has been a recurring theme over quite a few of my blog posts. The OS map website is a really useful source of research material and scouring the maps does throw up a few things that I really didn’t expect to find. 

I knew that on Birchem Edge that there was a monument to Lord Nelson and there are stones names after his ships, so I guess it’s logical that you would find a monument to an Army great, Lord Wellington.

Who knew that there are contemporary sculptures scattered across the Peak District. The more I visit the Peak District the more I find inspired by it and want to spend more time exploring. This is to see what other wonders there are both natural and manmade, ancient and modern.

Companion Stones

If you follow the path either along the edge of Baslow Edge or the path that extends beyond the wall you will eventually come across one of the many companion stones. These are sculptures by local artists and have stories all of their own, details can be found on the website here.

The basic idea of the companion stones is that they are akin to the stoop stones. The ancient guideway stones that would tell walkers and travellers how far they were from various points. The one on the background of the second image signposts Chesterfield. Reading the website of the companion stones the sculptures are way finders of sorts. They signpost through poetry and the sculptures themselves for walkers to find something they maybe looking for as they walk around. Higher order stuff, but I love the fact that they are there. 

This companion stone is called “eaglestone flat stone” and in my mind is shaped like a bulls tooth. Which seems very fitting as the day I visited there were a number of cows wandering around. It is there home turf so to speak.

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There is a little poetry on each stone and the images posted show the words that are carved onto both sides of the sculpture. It really is worth taking a look at the website and having a look at the maps to see where the various stones are sited. I think it will now become a project of mine to catalogue the companion stones of the Peak District. The beauty of them is that they are in places that you just stumble upon them. This particular stone is set just off a main path and is easily visible but when seen in the context of the scene it is in, it really is in a lovely part of the world.

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Wellington’s Monument

There is a huge rivalry between the various sections of the UK armed forces and I’m guessing that this isn’t a modern day thing. It’s likely that it existed right from the start of the armed forces.

There are monuments to all sorts of war hero’s and my experience of them has been limited to museums and City centres. Lot’s of statues commemorate various battles and hero’s but I really didn’t expect to find any monuments on the various “Edges” of The Peak District. 

I have documented Nelson’s monument in other blog posts, which sits on Birchem Edge. Looking through the OS maps of the area I spotted that there was a monument to Wellington on Baslow Edge. So was delighted when I came across it on my weekend walk. As you survey the horizon you can spot Nelson’s monument but it takes a keen eye indeed to spot Wellington’s monument, as its set back and surrounded by trees.

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The monument celebrates the battle of Trafalgar and was put in place on Baslow Edge in 1852. I’m sure the place looked very different in those days but whatever the surroundings the monument itself is in a fabulous location. Literally 20 yards to the right of the monument is a viewing point and a bench to sit on. From here there are fabulous views out over towards Chatsworth House in the distance, which I’m sure was there when the monument was first put in place.

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It really is fabulous that there are contemporary and ancient monuments standing maybe 500 yards apart. The authorities who look after The Peak District, do a marvellous job of maintaining the routes that walkers take. Along with working with folks from the world of “The Arts” as well as The National Trust who all do a magnificent job at providing such wonderful place for us to visit.

It’s so tranquil, and whilst there are lots of folk out walking, hiking, bouldering and mountaineering there is plenty of space for everyone to relax and spend some quality time with friends relaxing and recharging the batteries from what is quite a troubling time for the world. I for one will keep going back into this lovely place.

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