The Valley of the Goyt (1880)

The Valley of the Goyt (1880)

Above: Our travellers walked from Goyt’s Bridge along the lane towards Derbyshire Bridge. The photo shows three children in front of the mill workers cottages at Goytsclough, which Strephon mentions in his article. They eventually reach a ‘solitary little...
Goyt Valley postcards

Goyt Valley postcards

Above: Goyt’s Bridge and the Goyt Valley were very popular spots for both artists and photographers. And picturesque postcards were sold in their thousands to the many visitors who came here. There are some wonderful views in the...
Edward ‘Strephon’ Bradbury

Edward ‘Strephon’ Bradbury

Above: This wonderful etching of Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens appears as the frontispiece in Strephon’s ‘Pilgrimages in the Peak’, first published in 1879. Click the image at the bottom of the page to view the complete illustration. Above:...
Goyt’s Bridge painting

Goyt’s Bridge painting

Above: I’ve tried to match features in the painting with an old map of Goyt’s Bridge. 1: The artist’s position and direction of view. 2: The small bridge over Shooter’s Clough as it meets the Goyt. 3: The...
Mystery stones

Mystery stones

Above: I’ve tried to show the position of the stones on this old OS map. It’s about 30m from the small pond on the path along Shooter’s Clough. Walks 7, 8 and 15 all pass this pond. It was once a ventilation shaft for Castedge coal mine, and is...
Goyt’s Moss Farm

Goyt’s Moss Farm

Above: Goyt’s Moss Farm once stood beside the Macclesfield to Buxton road (click to enlarge map). Image added: 7th January 2017 Scene: A painting of Goyt’s Moss Farm, which once stood close to today’s Peak District Rangers’ hut at...
The stepping stones

The stepping stones

Above: I’ve highlighted the camera view in green. The photographer was standing beside the small packhorse bridge, alongside Wildmoorestone Brook as it joins the River Goyt. Goytshead Farm is just behind. Many thanks to Mike for sending this postcard of the...
Goyt’s Bridge in 1853

Goyt’s Bridge in 1853

Above:  Goyt’s Bridge is on the left of the fold, and unfortunately damaged by a slight tear in the fragile paper. Goyt’s Lane to Buxton runs off the right hand edge of the map, past the small reservoir at the top of the Bunsal Incline on...
Goyt Valley early ’30s  #1

Goyt Valley early ’30s #1

Above: A picturesque view along the River Goyt as it approaches Goyt’s Bridge, with Goytsbridge Farm in the background (click to enlarge). It’s one of nearly 100 photos of the valley recently discovered on Stockport Council’s image archive. Most...
Down the Valley in 1881

Down the Valley in 1881

Above: The ford at Taxal was where Strephon and his ‘Young Man’ crossed the Goyt on their way to Whaley Bridge. Walk 6 passes this picturesque spot. The pair enjoyed Whaley Bridge, but were less enthusiastic about the towns and cities just a...