Snow at Wheeldon Trees

Snow at Wheeldon Trees

If you like snow, there’s no better UK winter destination than Wheeldon Trees Cottages. This weekend it came early for us – December.

This weekend we held our annual wreath-making workshops and welcomed visitors from across the region. The day was crispy and fresh and thankfully, the snow didn’t fall until after our guests had left.

Like most places in England, we’re not guaranteed snow during the winter season. However, if and when it comes, the hills of Earl Sterndale come alive with walkers and families sledging.

Should the white stuff descend, you’re ideally placed to enjoy the fun. We have sledges you can borrow and walking sticks to help you navigate the local area. The pubs around us do their best to stay open, so a brisk walk to The Royal Oak or the Packhorse could be just the tonic you need.

We’re delighted to say that the pub in the village of Earl Sterndale is also currently being renovated. It’s stood empty for the last few years so we’re all excited to see the finished result in 2024.

High Wheeldon

Yesterday morning many hikers were making their way up High Wheeldon, just next to our cottages. You can walk up it directly from your cottage door. High Wheeldon is a distinctive dome-shaped hill at 422 metres (1,385 ft) above sea level. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Dove and Manifold valleys.

In 1784, General William Roy, the first Surveyor-General of the Ordnance Survey, initiated the Great Trigonometric Survey, a project to establish a network of triangulation points across Great Britain. These points, marked by sturdy pillars or stones, would serve as fixed reference points for measuring distances and angles, enabling the creation of highly accurate maps.

High Wheeldon was selected as one of these triangulation points due to its elevation and clear visibility from the surrounding hills. In 1787, a team of surveyors led by Lieutenant William Mudge ascended the hill and erected a wooden tripod with a theodolite, an instrument used for measuring angles.

In 1844, the wooden tripod at High Wheeldon was replaced by a more permanent marker, a cast-iron pillar known as a trigonometrical point or “trig point.” These trig points, typically painted white or silver, became a familiar sight across the British landscape, marking the locations of important surveying stations.

Safety first

Please be sure to check the weather conditions before you go sledging, as sledging is only safe when there is enough snow on the ground. You should also be aware of your surroundings and avoid sledging in areas where there are hazards such as trees, rocks, or fences.

Note for guests travelling to Wheeldon Trees Cottages – always check your route before travelling and call us for local road and weather updates. We’re always flexible on moving bookings to different dates if the weather does turn and you’re unable to reach us.

Booking a winter break

Wheeldon Trees offers the perfect escape over the winter months.