News

Celebrated Peak District hotel and restaurant The Maynard in Grindleford is celebrating the region’s links with the famous ‘Merry Men’ outlaws of Sherwood Forest by announcing the next in its series of ‘George’s Walks’. Designed exclusively by local ‘Maid Marion’ Sally Mosley, a Peaks legend in her own right and in conjunction with George the dog, ‘In search of Little John’ literally takes walkers on a six mile walk back in time to trace the Hathersage roots of one of Robin Hood’s closest allies.

 

All the walks can be downloaded free of charge at www.themaynard.co.uk or picked up from The Maynard’s reception. To those who know and love the Peaks, Sally Mosley needs no introduction. A well known local figure, her unrivalled knowledge and experience of the region made her the natural choice to help George in compiling these new routes to and from the Maynard.

 

Known as ‘George’s Walks’ after Maynard director Paul Downing’s Labrador George, the series of walks has been designed so there is something for all abilities. The walks vary in distance and difficulty, ranging from a gentle 3.5 miles, to this more demanding 8.5 mile route for the fitter dog and owner! Taking in many principal local landmarks, this six mile walk takes in Harper Lees and the grave of Little John in Hathersage, before turning for the rugged beauty of Scraperlow, Greenwood Farm and Padley.

 

“This is a wonderful walk and tracing the ancient routes men like Little John must have taken certainly makes for a sense of atmosphere,” said Maynard director Paul Downing. “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 the lovely Keira Knightly in the 2006 film version of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice.”                          

                                                         

Undoubtedly the pilgrimage to Little John’s grave is the centrepiece of this walk and the site always becomes a popular spot as new versions of the Robin Hood legend find their way to film and Russell Crowe’s latest version is likely to have a similar impact.

 

Little John’s grave can be found in St Michael’s Church and when the grave was opened in the 18th century, the discovery of a thigh bone over 30 inches long would seem 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 and along old packhorse routes, where you can still clearly see the outline of the old routes hollowed out by the feet travellers who have walked this path for thousands of years. Some spectacular views of the Derwent Valley make the ascent worthwhile, along with Owler Tor and Millstone Edge, although most people’s eyes are drawn immediately to Scraperlow.

 

A highly unusual castellated property, Scraperlow is like a miniature fortress. From here, George and Sally’s route takes you back through Padley, past the farm and the station, before heading up the road on the return to the hotel for a well earned rest and perhaps a drink in the bar with the Merry Men.

 

The Maynard prides itself on being both dog and walker friendly and these latest walks have been developed to help ramblers and their pooches get the most out of the stunning countryside on The Maynard’s doorstep and is one reason why the hotel remains a magnet for walkers and ramblers and one of the regions best-kept secrets. The other reason is the all new menus and with all dishes reasonably priced, dining at one of the few restaurants in the whole of South Yorkshire and north Derbyshire with two AA rosettes has never been so affordable.

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 http://www.themaynard.co.uk
Further information on sister venue Whirlowbrook Hall can be found on the website at http://www.whirlowbrookhall.co.uk.

 

ENDS

 

Photographs and captions
Medium resolution images of individual walks, taken by Sally Mosley are available from BeyondPR.

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

Ref: MAY237 – Maynard Dog Walk 4 – In search of Little John 2010