When it comes to Peak District walks, they don’t come much more iconic than Kinder Scout – but if you absolutely cannot be bothered to walk to the highest point in the national park, have you tried its gentler little sister before?
Way further down at the head of the Kinder Valley you’ll find Kinder Reservoir, which allows for a much easier walk that still has some of the best views in the Peak District.
On even the most simple of loops of the beautiful body of water you’ll go through woodland, over little wooden bridges and stepping stones, along footpaths by the water and across fields full of sheep.
It’s one of the most diverse walks you can do in the Peak District and packs a lot into just a few kilometres.
Kinder Reservoir is also a beautiful walk in all seasons, going from bright green fields in spring and summer, through to the pretty purple heather later in summer, shades of orange and red in autumn and dramatic frost-covered landscapes in winter.
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You’ll pass within sight of the impressive Kinder Downfall waterfall too, and the dramatic crags of High Peak.
If you start your walk from the car parks nearest Kinder Reservoir (but be warned, they can get full quickly), you’ll be looking at a circular route that’s just sky of 7km and should take you two hours.
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Views on a walk around Kinder Reservoir in the Peak DistrictHead to the Pack Horse Hayfield after your walk
But you can also factor in a trip to the closest village of Hayfield, a classic Peak District village with stone cottages and cosy pubs.
The best pub here is, of course, the award-winning The Pack Horse, which is in the Michelin Guide and also the Top 50 Gastropubs.
It’s a pub where you can have a world-class meal that shows off the best of British produce, while sipping an ale, with muddy boots on your feet.
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The Pack Horse also serves an amazing roast and a fantastic pre-hike breakfast.
If you fancy taking on this Kinder Reservoir walk in the Peak District, you can view routes either HERE with All Trails, or HERE with the National Trust.
As always when you’re walking in winter, make sure you have suitable clothing and footwear, good maps, and factor in daylight hours.
Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s major central train stations could be set to close to the public for more than two years.
Hundreds of trains pass through Manchester Oxford Road each week, but that could soon be set to change, as Network Rail has today launched a public consultation on plans to carry out major upgrades at the station in a bid to “deliver improvements” for passengers and the wider rail network.
Upgrades include longer platforms, track and signalling improvements, and even the construction of a new station footbridge.
Proposed track layout and signalling improvements would reduce congestion by removing conflicting train movements, while overhead line equipment would also be upgraded, as well as over 900m of new track being laid.
Accessibility would also be improved throughout the station, with the proposed new footbridge increasing movement space for passengers and new lifts allowing step-free access to all platforms.
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Wider resurfaced platforms, and improvements to existing lifts are also planned.
Network Rail says the aim of the public consultation is to “give everyone the opportunity to review outline proposals” and to “provide their views” so that these can be taken into account and inform further design.
Feedback is being invited on all scheme elements – such as design, construction, and the impacts of the scheme on the rail network, environment and community.
Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb / Credit: Northern
Speaking on the consultation as it launched today, Councillor Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have said for a long time that Oxford Road Station is in need of a range of improvements from easing the congestion, increasing capacity, improving reliability and ensuring that the station is accessible for all commuters.
“Any future development will be a long-term project but infrastructure upgrades like these are essential if we are to continue growing Manchester as the leading city of the North.”
The first round of consultation will run up until 28 February, both online via the feedback form available at here, as well as at two drop-in events at Friends’ Meeting House, on Mount Street in the city centre, on Saturday 1 February from 11am-4pm, and Monday 17 February from 2pm-7pm.
A second round of consultation is due to take place before the end of 2025, and once both consultations have been considered, Network Rail is looking to submit the applications needed to build the scheme next year.
Featured Image – Network Rail
Travel & Tourism
80% of drivers say they regularly see people ‘excessively speeding’ on UK roads
Emily Sergeant
80% of drivers say they regularly see people ‘excessively speeding’ on UK roads, new data from the RAC has revealed.
After the Government‘s road casualty statistics showed that ‘exceeding the speed limit’ was sadly a contributory factor to a total of 304 (21%) fatal collisions in 2023, the RAC spoke to 2,691 drivers to gather their experiences about driving on roads nationwide as part of its annual Report on Motoring for 2024.
82% of drivers surveyed noticed others breaking the limit excessively on motorways and high-speed dual carriageways, while 80% said it was also a common occurrence on 30mph or 20mph roads.
In comparison to previous years, the sharpest increase in speeding figures was found on 20mph roads, where 50% of drivers said they have frequently or occasionally broken the limit – which is up from 46% a year ago, and 36% from 2018.
It’s motorways where drivers admit to breaking the limit more often than on any other type of road, however, with 58% admitting to going above 70mph in 2024.
80% of drivers say they regularly see people ‘excessively speeding’ on UK roads / Credit: Don Sniegowski (via Flickr)
Figures also showed that many appear to see the speed limit as a target, with seven in 10 drivers (72%) saying they try to drive as close to the speed limit as possible, while 55% believe there is a culture among UK road users where it’s acceptable to break the speed limit.
“It’s concerning that our research indicates excessive speeding has become so commonplace because the consequences are very severe,” explained RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis.
“It is particularly worrying that so much excessive speeding observed by drivers appears to take place on 20mph and 30mph roads, as this is where the greatest number of vulnerable road users are, such as pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders.
“We badly need to bring an end to excessive speeding to keep us all safe.
Daisy Jackson -
28th December 2024 
