Mosley Walks The Walk At The Maynard

Nov. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Following the launch of several walks for ramblers, Peak district hotel and restaurant, The Maynard in Grindleford, is joining forces with the composer of its own ‘George Walk’ guides, Sally Mosley, to offer one of the walks as a fully guided event. The guided walk will form part of next year’s Peak District Outdoors Festival 2011, taking place between April 23 and May, organised by Visit Peak District and Derbyshire.

Sally Mosley will be taking a group of ‘Merry Men’ (and Maid Marions!) ‘In search of Little John’ on Wednesday 27 April – a six mile walk, starting at the Maynard and literally taking walkers back in time to trace the Hathersage roots of one of Robin Hood’s tallest and closest allies.

Places are strictly limited so just 15 lucky ramblers will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the outlaws of Sherwood Forest and celebrate the region’s links with the Merry Men. The ticket price of £10 includes tea and coffee on arrival at The Maynard, Sally’s expert guidance throughout the walk, plus a ‘Walker’s Special’ meal on return to the hotel. Walkers will have the option of taking an inclusive £5 sandwich and drink deal, or exchanging that for an £8 voucher off any Maynard bar/restaurant food purchased on the day. A donation from the ticket sales will be made by The Maynard to local charity Bluebell Wood.

This six mile meander takes in local landmarks like Harper Lees and the grave of Little John in Hathersage, before turning for the rugged beauty of Scraperlow, Greenwood Farm and Padley.

“Given the launch of our George Walks this year, it seemed natural to include a guided version of one of them in next year’s Peak District Outdoors Festival,” said Maynard director Paul Downing. “The fact that Sally herself has agreed to lead the walk for us is the icing on the cake and with a donation going to Bluebell wood and food and drink included, it really is fantastic value.”

“This is a wonderful walk and tracing the ancient routes men like Little John must have taken certainly makes for a sense of atmosphere,” added Paul. “John’s grave is particularly moving, but for the romantics, this route also takes in places like Stanage Edge, chosen as the ultimate backdrop for Keira Knightly in the 2006 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.”        

The pilgrimage to Little John’s grave in St Michael’s Church is the centrepiece of this walk and the site becomes popular as retellings of the Robin Hood legend, like the latest from Russell Crowe find their way to film. When the grave was opened in the 18th century, the discovery of a 30 inch thigh bone seems to confirm the legend of John’s great height as it would make him over 7ft tall – a true giant over 700 years ago!

The return to The Maynard takes in the village of Pinfold along old packhorse paths, where you can see the outline of routes hollowed out by the feet of walkers over thousands of years. Spectacular views of the Derwent Valley make the ascent worthwhile, along with Owler Tor and Millstone Edge, although people’s eyes are drawn immediately to Scraperlow. Sally will guide walkers back through Padley, before heading up the road on the return to The Maynard for a well earned rest and a ’Walker’s Special’ – soup and a sandwich!

Sally Mosley’s name has become a byword among those who know and love the Peaks. Sally’s unrivalled knowledge of the region made her the natural choice to lead one of the walks she compiled for The Maynard: “The ‘George Walks’ for the Maynard were great fun to work on, so I am really looking forward to leading one of them during the outdoor festival,” added Sally. “At six miles, the Little John route is a pleasant and entertaining walk, as with a 10am start from The Maynard, we will be back around 1.30pm – perfect timing for lunch!”

Anyone interested in this walk will need to make the booking via the Peak District Outdoor Festival booking office at www.visitpeakdistrict.com . For those who cannot make the guided walk, all the ‘George Walks’ walks can be downloaded free of charge at www.themaynard.co.uk or copies can be picked up from The Maynard’s reception.

ENDS
                                                           
Notes to editors

•Several ‘George Walks’ are available and were complied by Paul Downing’s Labrador George (with lots of help from Sally Mosley!) to provide the walkers and ramblers who regularly visit the hotel with some new suggestions for local walks and to provide those new to the area with a taste of the region. Walks range from 3 miles to 13 miles and are available to download at: www.themaynard.co.uk

•In addition to the walk Sally Mosley is leading for The Maynard, Sally offers a number of services for those looking to explore and learn more about the Peak District. Details of the services Sally Mosley offers can be found by visiting her website at www.sallymosley.co.uk  

•To book a table at The Maynard or book into the hotel, telephone
01433 630321 or email restaurant@themaynard.co.uk For general information, log on to www.themaynard.co.uk Further information on sister venue Whirlowbrook Hall can be found on the website at www.whirlowbrookhall.co.uk.

•Further details on all the activities taking place during the Peak District Outdoor Festival can be found at www.visitpeakdistrict.com

Photographs and captions

The Maynard director Paul Downing with George on one of the walks.

Medium resolution images of individual walks, including ‘In Search of Little John’ taken by Sally Mosley are available from BeyondPR.

Press enquiries: www.BeyondPR.co.uk
Tel 0114 275 6996. Mobile 07930 697773. E-mail info@beyondpr.co.uk

Ref: MAY257 – Walking Festival 2011

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