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peak district
Ashford in the Water
The A6 bypasses Ashford in the Water , a village of broad grass verges and 17th and 18th-century cottages, and endowed with an unusual structure known as Sheepwash Bridge with a walled sheep-enclosure built into it. Detour right here on the A6020 and immediately fork left on the B6465 to Little Longstone.
From Little Longstone there is a classic view over a former railway viaduct across Monsal Dale: the Monsal Trail follows the track bed of the abandoned London to Manchester railway, making an easy but extremely scenic walk, above the trout-laden River Wye, with its old mills. Part of the dale has been designated a National Nature Reserve for its butterfly population and abundance of limestone flora.
Return to the A6 and carry on westwards. Turn right on the B6049 past Miller's Dale. Here you can explore another stretch of the Monsal Trail, which to the west enters Chee Dale and takes in a series of large stepping-stones beneath the cliff-like heights of Chee Dale and Chee Tor.
