# Long Dale

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**Long Dale** is a [carboniferous limestone](/source/Carboniferous_Limestone) valley near the village of [Elton](/source/Elton,_Derbyshire), [Derbyshire](/source/Derbyshire), in the [Peak District](/source/Peak_District) of England. The dale is cut into the plateau of Gratton Moor and Smerrill Moor and lies to the north of the hamlet of [Pikehall](/source/Pikehall), which is the venue of the annual [Y Not Festival](/source/Y_Not_Festival). Midway down the valley it turns sharply left and is known as Gratton Dale. Most of the valley is dry but Rowlow Brook flows down the lower part of Gratton Dale towards Dale End and onwards to become the [River Bradford](/source/River_Bradford) at [Youlgreave](/source/Youlgreave).[1]

Long Dale is part of the [Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve](/source/Derbyshire_Dales_National_Nature_Reserve). [Natural England](/source/Natural_England) manages the reserve which covers five separate dales of the [White Peak](/source/White_Peak) ([Lathkill Dale](/source/Lathkill_Dale), [Cressbrook Dale](/source/Cressbrook_Dale), [Hay Dale](/source/Hay_Dale), Long Dale and [Monk's Dale](/source/Monk's_Dale)). The reserve contains [ash](/source/Fraxinus) and [elm](/source/Elm) woodland and shrubs including hawthorn and [elder](/source/Sambucus_nigra). Abundant flowers include [mountain pansy](/source/Viola_lutea). On the spoil heaps of the old lead mines there are rare flowers such as spring sandwort (*Minuartia verna*) and alpine pennycress (*Thlaspi alpestre*). Native grasses include [meadow oat](/source/Helictotrichon_pratense) and [carnation sedge](/source/Carex_panicea) interspersed with heather, [bilberry](/source/Bilberry) and [dwarf gorse](/source/Ulex_gallii). Long Dale & Gratton Dale is also a designated [Site of Special Scientific Interest](/source/Site_of_Special_Scientific_Interest) (SSSI).[2][3]

Overlooking Long Dale, the Smerrill Moor, Smerrill Barn and Long Dale bowl barrows are protected [Scheduled Monuments](/source/Scheduled_monument). These [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age) burial mounds are about 10m across. They were excavated by [Thomas Bateman](/source/Thomas_Bateman_(antiquary)) in 1857 and he found numerous human skeletons, flint tools and a decorated [Beaker pottery](/source/Bell_Beaker_culture) drinking vessel.[4][5][6]

On the east side of Gratton Dale are the remains of old lead mines (Rath Rake, Cowlica Rake, Dunnington, Hardbeat, Hardwork and Gatcliffe) which are a Scheduled Monument. Evidence of ancient surface lead mining comes from Roman brooches that were found in [Victorian](/source/Victorian_era) times at Cowlica Rake and Hardbeat mine. Records of intensive lead mining since the 1640s include disputed claims of mining rights. The remains include mine shafts, building ruins and earthworks.[7]

Just south of the head of Gratton Dale are the remains of Mouldridge Grange, which was a [medieval](/source/Middle_Ages) farmstead run by monks from the [Augustinian](/source/Augustinians) priory. The remaining earthworks of buildings and enclosures are a Scheduled Monument.[8]

There is a clear bridlepath along the length of the valley floor. The [Pennine Bridleway](/source/Pennine_Bridleway) runs parallel to Long Dale, about 1 km to the west. Long Dale is on the route of the 65 kilometres (40 mi) long [Limey Way](/source/Limey_Way), which links up 20 Derbyshire dales.[1][9]

## References

1. *OL24 White Peak area*. Explorer. Ordnance Survey. East sheet.

1. ["Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve (NE154)"](http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/31052?category=23001). Natural England. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2020.

1. ["Long Dale & Gratton Dale SSSI"](https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1003783.pdf). *Designated Site - Natural England*. Retrieved 3 May 2020.

1. ["john merrill walk guides - THE LIMEY WAY"](https://www.johnmerrillwalkguides.co.uk/THE-LIMEY-WAY.html). *john merrill walk guides*. Retrieved 2020-05-03.

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