Middle Black Clough

Valley in Derbyshire High Peak

England

Middle Black Clough

A628 descending near Ironbower Rocks
A628 descending near Ironbower Rocks Credit: Colin Pyle

Middle Black Clough is a picturesque valley located in the county of Derbyshire, England. Situated within the Peak District National Park, it is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of wildlife. The valley is nestled between towering hills and is characterized by its steep sides and dense woodland.

Middle Black Clough is traversed by a gentle stream that meanders through the valley, creating small cascades and pools along its course. The stream is fed by numerous smaller tributaries that flow down from the surrounding hills, contributing to the area's lush vegetation and thriving ecosystem. The valley is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including mosses, ferns, and wildflowers, as well as birds, mammals, and insects.

The landscape of Middle Black Clough is dominated by ancient woodland, with beech, oak, and birch trees covering the steep slopes. These trees provide a rich habitat for a variety of woodland creatures, such as deer, badgers, and foxes. The valley also boasts a number of rare plant species, including the delicate orchids that bloom in the spring and summer months.

Middle Black Clough is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The valley's tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking scenery make it an ideal spot for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature.

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Middle Black Clough Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.478254/-1.8299708 or Grid Reference SK1197. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A628 descending near Ironbower Rocks
A628 descending near Ironbower Rocks
Woodhead Tunnel 1970's Taken by my Father when he visited Dinting rail centre which has also closed. Also shown is the two single line tunnels.
Woodhead Tunnel 1970's
Taken by my Father when he visited Dinting rail centre which has also closed. Also shown is the two single line tunnels.
Down coal train emerging from Woodhead Tunnel View eastward, through the tunnels towards Penistone, Barnsley, Wath Yard, Sheffield etc.; ex-GC Manchester - Sheffield main line. Although over four years are to pass before it is opened, work is already well under way on the New Woodhead Tunnel (on the right); the pilot tunnel is being bored and a new bridge begun over the River Etherow in the foreground. The locomotive is a Thompson Class O1 rebuild (8/46) of ex-GC Class O4 2-8-0 No. 63886.
Down coal train emerging from Woodhead Tunnel
View eastward, through the tunnels towards Penistone, Barnsley, Wath Yard, Sheffield etc.; ex-GC Manchester - Sheffield main line. Although over four years are to pass before it is opened, work is already well under way on the New Woodhead Tunnel (on the right); the pilot tunnel is being bored and a new bridge begun over the River Etherow in the foreground. The locomotive is a Thompson Class O1 rebuild (8/46) of ex-GC Class O4 2-8-0 No. 63886.
River Etherow
River Etherow
Remains of Old Station Platform Formerly Woodhead Station on the LNER's Sheffield (Victoria) to Manchester railway.
Remains of Old Station Platform
Formerly Woodhead Station on the LNER's Sheffield (Victoria) to Manchester railway.
Bleaklow Stones (The Anvil Stone)
Bleaklow Stones (The Anvil Stone)
Woodhead  a long wait for a train You would have an even longer wait nowadays to see a train up here. It was bad enough back then with the run-down of the Woodhead line the traffic was thin on the ground some days. However, despite waiting all morning we did get one train that day a return set of mgr coal wagons from Lancashire to Yorkshire seen about to enter the Woodhead tunnel. The line shut a couple of months after this picture was taken on the 17 July 1981. We never returned, this was our last visit and I wondered if the sun ever came out up here as it was cloudy and dull every time we came.
Woodhead a long wait for a train
You would have an even longer wait nowadays to see a train up here. It was bad enough back then with the run-down of the Woodhead line the traffic was thin on the ground some days. However, despite waiting all morning we did get one train that day a return set of mgr coal wagons from Lancashire to Yorkshire seen about to enter the Woodhead tunnel. The line shut a couple of months after this picture was taken on the 17 July 1981. We never returned, this was our last visit and I wondered if the sun ever came out up here as it was cloudy and dull every time we came.
Liverpool - Hull express approaching Woodhead View westward, towards Manchester: ex-GC Sheffield Victoria etc. - Manchester etc. main line, soon to be electrified (6/54). (See other scenes nearby). The 09.30 Liverpool Central - Hull express has been reversed at Manchester Central and continued by the Fallowfield loop to Hyde Junction behind Thompson B1 4-6-0 No. 61228 (built 8/47, withdrawn 9/62). It has passed the Woodhead Reservoir on its left and is half a mile from Woodhead. In the background are the heights of Bareholme and Westend Mosses (c. 1,700 ft.)..
Liverpool - Hull express approaching Woodhead
View westward, towards Manchester: ex-GC Sheffield Victoria etc. - Manchester etc. main line, soon to be electrified (6/54). (See other scenes nearby). The 09.30 Liverpool Central - Hull express has been reversed at Manchester Central and continued by the Fallowfield loop to Hyde Junction behind Thompson B1 4-6-0 No. 61228 (built 8/47, withdrawn 9/62). It has passed the Woodhead Reservoir on its left and is half a mile from Woodhead. In the background are the heights of Bareholme and Westend Mosses (c. 1,700 ft.)..
Layby A628 at Woodhead Re-use of a defunct quarry probably worked for wallstone or roadstone when the Woodhead road was first developed.
Layby A628 at Woodhead
Re-use of a defunct quarry probably worked for wallstone or roadstone when the Woodhead road was first developed.
Upper Longdendale from above the Woodhead Tunnel entrance Woodhead Reservoir is visible beyond the first pylon which carries the power lines now routed through the tunnel/s originally built for rail traffic. The trackbed now carries the Trans Pennine Trail down Longdendale.
Upper Longdendale from above the Woodhead Tunnel entrance
Woodhead Reservoir is visible beyond the first pylon which carries the power lines now routed through the tunnel/s originally built for rail traffic. The trackbed now carries the Trans Pennine Trail down Longdendale.
Etherow valley from above Woodhead Tunnel entrance To the left is the rock face above the tunnel entrance. The Trans Pennine Trail drops down to river level here from peaty tops above and follows to the right the old rail trackbed down Longdendale.
Etherow valley from above Woodhead Tunnel entrance
To the left is the rock face above the tunnel entrance. The Trans Pennine Trail drops down to river level here from peaty tops above and follows to the right the old rail trackbed down Longdendale.
Ex-GC Robinson 0-6-0 runs light eastbound at Woodhead View westward, towards Manchester: ex-GC Manchester - Sheffield/Wath main line: past Woodhead signalbox there are Up and Down relief lines for several miles, but here there are just two single lines through the twin Woodhead Tunnels. (See other scenes at Woodhead). The 0-6-0 is No. 64347 (built 4/1904 as GC No. 226, LNER No. 5226 until 1946, then No. 4347, withdrawn 2/55).
Ex-GC Robinson 0-6-0 runs light eastbound at Woodhead
View westward, towards Manchester: ex-GC Manchester - Sheffield/Wath main line: past Woodhead signalbox there are Up and Down relief lines for several miles, but here there are just two single lines through the twin Woodhead Tunnels. (See other scenes at Woodhead). The 0-6-0 is No. 64347 (built 4/1904 as GC No. 226, LNER No. 5226 until 1946, then No. 4347, withdrawn 2/55).
Woodland footpath In the Black Cloughs of Woodhead.
Woodland footpath
In the Black Cloughs of Woodhead.
Near Black Clough
Near Black Clough
Near Black Clough
Near Black Clough
Near Black Clough
Near Black Clough
Woodhead tunnels - western portals The two older tunnels are on the left, the new tunnel on the right. The latter is now used to carry high voltage National Grid cables, as evidenced by the new ground works leading to the tunnel mouth.
Woodhead tunnels - western portals
The two older tunnels are on the left, the new tunnel on the right. The latter is now used to carry high voltage National Grid cables, as evidenced by the new ground works leading to the tunnel mouth.
Woodhead new tunnel - western portal The new ground work is evidence of the high voltage National Grid cables that have recently been diverted through this tunnel.
Woodhead new tunnel - western portal
The new ground work is evidence of the high voltage National Grid cables that have recently been diverted through this tunnel.
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Middle Black Clough is located at Grid Ref: SK1197 (Lat: 53.478254, Lng: -1.8299708)

Administrative County: Derbyshire

District: High Peak

Police Authority: Derbyshire

What 3 Words

///plump.mops.educates. Near Glossop, Derbyshire

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