WATERFALL SWALLET, EYAM AND FOOLOW CIRCULAR WALK
This circular Peak Distrrict walk starts and ends at a pub, taking you to a hidden waterfall, before rounding off your day in the village of Eyam
Start: The Bulls Head, Foolow, S32 5QR
Distance: 6.26 miles
Duration: 2.5 hours
Elevation: 875 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot, or download GPX file
Route Highlights:
Waterfall Swallet
A virtually unknown gem along the side of an unassuming road between Foolow and Eyam, Waterfall Swallet is nestled in a cleft of limestone and largely hidden from view. The Waterfall Swallet means ‘a place where water breaks in on miners’. Once you reach the waterfall, the sound of cascading water drowns out any noise from nearby traffic, making you feel miles away from civilisation. The area offers several stones and logs perfect for sitting down and enjoying a picnic — an ideal pitstop as part of this longer walk.
Stoney Middleton Heritage Trail
The Heritage Trail Guide and Heritage Trail Map are available to download, or can be picked up from Bakewell Visitor Centre, the Moon Inn, and the Grove Gardens (in the village behind the chip shop). There are two trails which can be undertaken, separately or combined into one walk. The maps also provide information about the various points of interest around the trails. Alternatively you can take the trails using the information boards located at various points around the route; each board has a map to show where you are and where to go next, they also contain information on all the points of interest.
Our walk takes you along a small segment of the heritage trail but can easily be turned into its own adventure in and of itself.
Darlton Quarry
The Peak District is home to more mines and quarries than any other national park, reaching nearly 70 in total. We’re not sure what it is about abandoned quarries, but for us, they make great vantage points to sit and watch the world go by. And this one is of international fame! Tom Cruise was spotted filming here for Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning in August 2021 for the scene involving the locomotive crash, which was followed by another stunt involving a train carriage.
Eyam, Plague Village
Nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, the village of Eyam is renowned for its extraordinary history and picturesque charm. Known as the ‘Plague Village’, Eyam made a remarkable sacrifice during the 1665 bubonic plague by voluntarily quarantining itself to prevent the spread of the disease. Today, visitors can explore its quaint stone cottages, the historic Eyam Hall, and the evocative plague markers that tell the story of the villagers' courage and resilience. Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Peak District, Eyam offers a unique blend of natural beauty and poignant history… and plenty of pubs and cafes, to boot!
Eyam Delph Nature Reserve
Eyam Delph Nature Reserve is a hidden gem in the heart of Derbyshire, England, known for its rich history, diverse wildlife, and picturesque landscapes. The nature reserve was originally a limestone quarry, providing valuable stone for construction in the local area. It has since been transformed into a nature reserve, offering a glimpse into the area's industrial past. Wild garlic is in full bloom here if you plan your visit between February—April when wild garlic is in peak season
Good to knows
Waterfall Swallet: It’s worth noting before you set off, this particular waterfall does require a decent amount of recent rainfall to flow. If you visit during a dry spell, you may be met with a damp cliff wall. I guess that’s one perk to visiting during a rainy period! We visited after a fair amount of rain and it was still only a light flow, so the more rain the better.
Finding the hidden waterfall: If you’re not feeling up to the full walk but want to visit the falls, you can easily make this a trip out on its own. To find the quickest route to Waterfall Swallet use the following coordinates: 53.2902792, -1.7032805, which will take you to a small lay-by with enough room for a couple of cars to pull fully off the road. You then need to head back down the road for 70m until you see a little gate on the right and some stone steps leading down into a wooded gorge. You can also use What3Words (‘sprinting.litters.wipe’), which will take you straight to the waterfall.
During our visit in autumn, the steps were almost entirely covered with leaf litter, and quite slippery. It’s steep and very uneven, but if you take it slowly it’s not as difficult as it looks to reach the clearing.
Please note, the access to the waterfall is unsuitable for anyone with mobility issues.
Eyam Hall Courtyard: The Courtyard Barn offers a selection of giftware, homeware, beer, wine and spirits in the beautiful setting of the old brewery barn in the corner of Eyam Hall Courtyard. We usually stop off in the main village when visiting Eyam but this time decided to take a trip to the courtyard, instead. And we’re so glad we did! A gorgeous place to stop off, have a brew, and browse the quaint pop ups — from second hand books, to crystals, plants, and more.
Fancy giving this one ago? Check out our full guide on Instagram
