Rowarth
OS Grid ref:- SK007892
The small Peak District village of Rowarth lies around 2.5 miles (4 km) to the north of New Mills.
The centre of the village has attractive stone mill worker's cottages. Rowarth dates from the 1780s, when around six watermills were built along the stream which runs through the village . Some of these mills were still operating in the early twentieth century.
Anderton House, a grade II listed building, which dates back to 1787, was once a mill-owner's house.
The village pub, the Little Mill Inn, (pictured below left) which serves excellent food, features a waterwheel on the adjacent stream. The inn's riverside terrace overlooks the restored mill wheel. The 'Little Mill' doubles as the local post office and also has a retired Pullman railway coach the 'Derbyshire Belle', which is used as guest accommodation.
Nearby Lantern Pike rises to a height of 373 metres (1,224 feet), situated close to the village of Hayfield, it is popular spot with walkers. The hill is owned by the National Trust and open to the public. The pike offers superb views of the Sett Valley and Kinder Scout from its summit. The name 'Lantern Pike' probably derives from the fact the hill was used as a beacon in former times.
The curiously named Robin Hoods Picking Rods (OS grid ref:- SK.006909), are situated about half a mile along a track leading due east from Gun Road towards Cown Edge Rocks.
The monument consists of two stone columns, the tallest of which measures around 2 metres high, positioned in a large socketed stone base. The columns are thought to date from the ninth century. The tallest column has a tiny cross within a circle carved onto it, the smaller has what could possibly be cup-marks, or circles, and small holes. The stones, which are believed to be Anglo-Saxon, may at one time have been a single column that has been broken and two pieces mounted side-by-side.
Mill workers cottages at Rowarth and Anderton House
Nearby places of interest
Kinder Scout, a moorland plateau, rising to 636 metres (2,087 ft) which is highest point in the Peak District.
Lyme Park is situated in a spectacular moorland setting at Disley near Stockport on the edge of the Peak District National Park. The house and surrounding estate are owned by the National Trust. The lavishly decorated Italianate house has spectacular seventeen acre gardens, which include the Victorian Garden and Edwardian rose garden.
Mellor Iron Age Fort Iron Age settlement discovered in the 1990's, occupied from the Bronze Age to the Romano-British period, featuring a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse.
Dunge Valley Gardens are situated just to the west of Windgather Rocks and are well worth a visit, especially in April and May when the rhododendron's are in bloom.
A walk to Lantern Pike from Rowarth
Distance- Around 5 miles
*Commencing from the car park in Rowarth, Walk to the houses then proceed along the road to your right, at the bottom take the footpath on the right down to 'The Little Mill' Inn. Pass the inn and continue along the road until reaching a junction.
*Go straight on and follow the bridleway until reaching a junction, go straight ahead, passing through Wethercoates Farm to reach the road.
*Turn left and left again proceeding along the lane then follow the higher footpath on the left to the the summit of Lantern Pike.
*Retrace your steps to return to the car park at Rowarth.