Coast and Peaks Rover

[_toommm_]

So I'm planning to do a Coast and Peaks Rover starting next week - Day One would be Saturday and would be focused more on the Wales Side of the rover, with Day Two on Monday spent walking around the Hope Valley and that side of Derbyshire.

My question is, what other places could I visit that are worth doing So? And what lines are definitely worth doing on the map? Thanks in advance

 

[eastdyke]

I did use a 'Coasts and Peaks' whilst Sheffield based but only had weekday use. It wasn't ideal to be based in Sheffield and I didn't get further west than Shotton.
So it is definitely good to do the west side on the Saturday - with an early start!
I used most of my time on the non Inter-City routes from Manchester and Chester.
As to walking around Hope Valley, that might be better done on a Derbyshire Wayfarer (from Sheffield at £12.60 without concessions, Seniors get a bargain at £6.30)

 

[_toommm_]

I did use a 'Coasts and Peaks' whilst Sheffield based but only had weekday use. It wasn't ideal to be based in Sheffield and I didn't get further west than Shotton.
So it is definitely good to do the west side on the Saturday - with an early start!
I used most of my time on the non Inter-City routes from Manchester and Chester.
As to walking around Hope Valley, that might be better done on a Derbyshire Wayfarer (from Sheffield at £12.60 without concessions, Seniors get a bargain at £6.30)

I've already done a Wayfarer but it didn't include anything past New Mills on trains, nor did it include the branch out to Glossop from Manchester

 

[mrcheek]

Obviously a lot depends on what lines you have already done.

But the North Wales coast is a beautiful journey. and if you can fit it in, the line down to Blaenau Ffestiniog is like something out of another world.

Some great scenery on the lines to Buxton and Matlock too

 

[eastwestdivide]

Walking in the Hope Valley - a couple suggestions, depending on your walking experience/fitness/clothing:
1. Grindleford (station cafe) - Padley Chapel - Hathersage via a couple of bridges over the railway. Not too hilly or too high if the weather's iffy on top, can be muddy in places.
2. Hope - Hope village - Lose Hill - Hollins Cross - Edale including crossing the Hope Cement branch on a rickety footbridge. Good views of the railway from the top of Lose Hill and along the ridge to Hollins Cross if the weather's good, but a strenuous climb to Lose Hill, and go prepared for rain, wind, snow and ice at this time of year.

 

[_toommm_]

Walking in the Hope Valley - a couple suggestions, depending on your walking experience/fitness/clothing:
1. Grindleford (station cafe) - Padley Chapel - Hathersage via a couple of bridges over the railway. Not too hilly or too high if the weather's iffy on top, can be muddy in places.
2. Hope - Hope village - Lose Hill - Hollins Cross - Edale including crossing the Hope Cement branch on a rickety footbridge. Good views of the railway from the top of Lose Hill and along the ridge to Hollins Cross if the weather's good, but a strenuous climb to Lose Hill, and go prepared for rain, wind, snow and ice at this time of year.

Sounds perfect thank you so so much

 

[_toommm_]

Obviously a lot depends on what lines you have already done.

But the North Wales coast is a beautiful journey. and if you can fit it in, the line down to Blaenau Ffestiniog is like something out of another world.

Some great scenery on the lines to Buxton and Matlock too

I'm presuming the North Wales coast is the line out to Holyhead?

I'll definitely fit in Blaneau thanks to your recommendation!

 

[mrcheek]

I'm presuming the North Wales coast is the line out to Holyhead?

I'll definitely fit in Blaneau thanks to your recommendation!

Yep, you should go all the way to the end of the line at Holyhead, the whole line is great

 

[_toommm_]

6:20am EM - Sheffield to Stockport
7:29am NT - Stockport to Chester
9:24am AW - Chester to Holyhead
12:38pm AW - Holyhead to Llandudno Junction
1:30pm AW - Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog
2:57pm AW - Blaenau Ffestiniog to Deganwy
4:14pm AW - Deganwy to Llandudno Jn.
4:25pm AW - Llandudno Junction to Telford Central
6:59pm AW - Telford Ctl to Shrewsbury
7:52pm AW - Shrewsbury to Crewe
8:45pm EM - Crewe to Stoke-On-Trent
9:47pm XC - Stoke-On-Trent to Stockport
10:37pm EM - Stockport to Sheffield

My provisional plan for the first day. Thoughts?

 

[30907]

I'd come straight back from Holyhead (decidedly unexciting) and visit Llandudno for 40 minutes before doing Blaenau, and leave Telford Central - time for some food in Salop, or an earlier train home!

 

[gazthomas]

Definitely visit Llandudno and Salop is Shrewsbury!

 

[_toommm_]

That would leave 1.5hrs in Salop... is it worth It??

 

[gazthomas]

That would leave 1.5hrs in Salop... is it worth It??

I would day so, it will take you 10-15 mins each way to get to/from the town. The river walk is worthwhile plus a potter around the town

 

[_toommm_]

I would day so, it will take you 10-15 mins each way to get to/from the town. The river walk is worthwhile plus a potter around the town

Definitely visit Llandudno and Salop is Shrewsbury!

Sounds perfect, thanks for the help! Definitely not my neck of the woods.

 

[gazthomas]

Sounds perfect, thanks for the help! Definitely not my neck of the woods.

You’re very welcome. Conwy is worth a 1-2 stop too, and Betws-y-Coed but that will leave a long break unless you want to miss Blaenau Ffestiniog. If you have plenty of time and money I would recommend the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

 

[_toommm_]

You’re very welcome. Conwy is worth a 1-2 stop too, and Betws-y-Coed but that will leave a long break unless you want to miss Blaenau Ffestiniog. If you have plenty of time and money I would recommend the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

Betws or Blaenau in your opinion?

 

[gazthomas]

Betws is the better destination but you must go south to Blaenau to witness the industrial “scars” of the once great slate industry. If time is short you could jump on a bus to get back on track

 

[_toommm_]

Swallow Falls kind of convinced me to a stay in Betws so:
1:08pm AW - Llandudno to Betws-Y-Coed
WALK - Betws-Y-Coed to Swallow Falls
5:05pm S2 - Swallow Falls Hotel to Station
5:20pm 19 - Station to Llandudno Junction
6:32pm AW - Llandudno Junction to Chester
7:55pm AW - Chester to Crewe
8:45pm EM - Crewe to Stoke-On-Trent
9:47pm XC - Stoke-On-Trent to Stockport
10:37pm EM - Stockport to Sheffield

 

[gazthomas]

Swallow Falls kind of convinced me to a stay in Betws so:
1:08pm AW - Llandudno to Betws-Y-Coed
WALK - Betws-Y-Coed to Swallow Falls
5:05pm S2 - Swallow Falls Hotel to Station
5:20pm 19 - Station to Llandudno Junction
6:32pm AW - Llandudno Junction to Chester
7:55pm AW - Chester to Crewe
8:45pm EM - Crewe to Stoke-On-Trent
9:47pm XC - Stoke-On-Trent to Stockport
10:37pm EM - Stockport to Sheffield

The Swallow Falls are nice especially if it has been raining. It used to have a person on the ticket gate but now it is by cash so take coins (£1, 50p) to get in

You have given yourself massives of time to get to Swallow Falls so you may want to reclaim a couple of hours

 

[_toommm_]

The Swallow Falls are nice especially if it has been raining. It used to have a person on the ticket gate but now it is by cash L take coins (£1, 50p) to get in

2 and a half hours there should hopefully be enough, and I feel like getting a bus or two is a nice way to see the town too! (And a nice way to mispronounce words!)

 

[gazthomas]

2 and a half hours there should hopefully be enough, and I feel like getting a bus or two is a nice way to see the town too! (And a nice way to mispronounce words!)

I’m certain you’ll mispronounce places!!!

 

[Bevan Price]

Remember it will be dark by about 17:30 at this time of year and you won't be able to appreciate the scenery any later than that.

And for any future trips - there is not much at Telford Central other than a shopping centre a few minutes walk from the station. Shrewsbury or Wellington are better bets.