Errwood Hall
Explore the atmospheric ruins of Errwood Hall, a Victorian mansion set amidst the beautiful Goyt Valley, offering historical intrigue and scenic walks...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peaceful atmosphere, fewer people
Errwood Hall
Best Time
Peaceful atmosphere, fewer people
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the atmospheric ruins of Errwood Hall, a Victorian mansion set amidst the beautiful Goyt Valley, offering historical intrigue and scenic walks.
"A peaceful, scenic spot that's well worth a visit, with a truly Skyrim-like atmosphere."
🚶♀️ Easy Walk to Ruins
The walk from the car park to Errwood Hall ruins is a gradual incline, taking about 7-8 minutes. :athletic_shoe:
📱 Download an App
Consider the 'Errwood Hall Revealed' app for AR views of the hall. Signage can be poor. :iphone:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Errwood Hall Ruins
Goyt Valley
Explore the atmospheric foundations and remnants of a grand Victorian hall, a poignant reminder of a lost estate.
Family Graveyard
Hilltop west of the ruins
A restored family burial ground offering a quiet place for reflection with historical significance.
Shrine to Dolores
North of the hall ruins
Discover a small, secluded shrine, a place of devotion and remembrance nestled in the landscape.
Errwood Reservoir Views
Surrounding area
Enjoy scenic vistas of the reservoir, a tranquil backdrop to the historical ruins and surrounding woodlands.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit to Errwood Hall
Navigating the Goyt Valley
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Easy Walk to Ruins
The walk from the car park to Errwood Hall ruins is a gradual incline, taking about 7-8 minutes. :athletic_shoe:
📱 Download an App
Consider the 'Errwood Hall Revealed' app for AR views of the hall. Signage can be poor. :iphone:
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Peak District weather is changeable. Be prepared for sunshine, rain, and wind. :cloudwithrain:
🥾 Sturdy Footwear Recommended
While some find it walkable in slides, sturdy shoes are best for varied terrain. :hiking_boot:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Easy Walk to Ruins
The walk from the car park to Errwood Hall ruins is a gradual incline, taking about 7-8 minutes. :athletic_shoe:
📱 Download an App
Consider the 'Errwood Hall Revealed' app for AR views of the hall. Signage can be poor. :iphone:
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Peak District weather is changeable. Be prepared for sunshine, rain, and wind. :cloudwithrain:
🥾 Sturdy Footwear Recommended
While some find it walkable in slides, sturdy shoes are best for varied terrain. :hiking_boot:
🗺️ Bring a Map
Signage is minimal. A physical map or reliable GPS is essential to avoid getting lost. :world_map:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Errwood Hall ruins for their atmospheric beauty and historical intrigue, making for a peaceful and scenic walk in the Goyt Valley. The surrounding natural landscape is a major draw, offering stunning views and a tranquil escape. However, some find the lack of clear signage and on-site information disappointing.
"Tuesday, 7th October 2025
The ruin of Errwood Hall is a popular tourist destination in the scenic Upper Goyt Valley within the Peak District of England.
Errwood Hall was built in the 1830s by Samuel Grimshawe, a wealthy Manchester businessman, and was occupied by the Grimshawe family for the next hundred years. The hall was the centre of a thriving estate of over 2,000 acres (8.1 km2), consisting of several farms, a school, the Cat and Fiddle Inn, a private coal mine and the hamlet of Goyt's Bridge. The family planted many specimen trees including an abundance of azaleas and rhododendrons.
Samuel’s grandchildren were the last members of the family to live in the hall, which was later demolished in connection with the construction of the Fernilee Reservoir in 1934. Stones from the demolished hall were used to construct the water treatment works below the reservoir.
Of the hall, only the foundations to ground floor level, and a few sections of wall, now survive. These have been consolidated and are in the care of the Peak Park Authority. On a hilltop a few hundred metres to the west of the hall ruins is the family graveyard, restored by North West Water in the 1980s.
To the north of the hall is a small shrine or chapel, erected by the Grimshawe family to the memory of Miss Dolores de Ybarguen, a Spanish aristocrat who was the teacher at the estate school and governess to the Grimshaw family and who died on a visit to Lourdes. The shrine is still regularly used for private acts of devotion, intercession and remembrance.
The rhododendrons planted by the Grimshawes have flourished and now have to be strictly managed.
Goyt’s Bridge and much of the farmland of the estate is now submerged under the waters of the Errwood Reservoir, though the old packhorse bridge after which the hamlet was named was relocated further up the valley.
The hall and the surrounding area is one of the most visited parts of the Peak National Park, and is the starting point for many popular walks in the upper Goyt Valley. In recent summers it has also been the venue for a number of unofficial music festivals and rave parties.
The walk up to the Ruin of Errwood Hall starts at the carpark. It is a gradual incline, which is not very difficult, and only takes around 7 or 8 minutes to get there 😉. It's a pleasant walk with some views of a couple of small waterfalls. I can recommend a visit to this place 😃."
Robert xXxX
"A great little walk to the Ruins of Errwood Hall! Easy and enjoyable, even in Birkenstock slides! The trail winds through beautiful woodland with a really picturesque, almost Skyrim-like atmosphere. It would’ve been nice to have a sign or some information at the site itself, but we managed fine reading up on it once we got back to the car. A peaceful, scenic spot that's well worth a visit."
Bryony Smith
"Have walked the reservoirs many times so decided to take a look at the ruins.
Pleasant walk up to them and worth a visit."
Simon Vernon
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Errwood Hall is located in the Goyt Valley, Peak District. The most common access point is the Errwood Hall car park. From there, it's a short, pleasant walk to the ruins. Public transport options are limited, so driving is generally recommended.
Yes, there is a car park near the start of the walking trail to Errwood Hall. It can get busy, especially on weekends and during peak seasons.
No, you cannot drive directly to the ruins of Errwood Hall. The site is accessed via walking paths from the nearest car park.
Walking is the primary way to explore the Goyt Valley and Errwood Hall. There are numerous trails catering to different fitness levels, offering beautiful woodland and reservoir views. 
Public transport to the immediate vicinity of Errwood Hall is very limited. It's best to check local bus routes for nearby villages and be prepared for a significant walk or taxi ride.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Errwood Hall ruins are freely accessible to the public. There are no admission fees to explore the site.
As an open-air ruin, Errwood Hall does not have set opening hours. You can visit at any time, though early mornings offer a more peaceful experience.
Parking at the Errwood Hall car park typically involves a fee. It's advisable to check current parking charges before your visit.
Official guided tours are not commonly advertised. However, local walking groups may offer guided excursions. Information boards at the site are minimal.
Yes, you can visit Errwood Hall in most weather conditions, but be prepared for the elements. The Peak District is known for its changeable weather.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the foundations and some remaining walls of the Victorian Errwood Hall, the family graveyard, and the Shrine to Dolores. The surrounding Goyt Valley offers beautiful natural scenery.
Exploring the ruins themselves might take 30-60 minutes. However, many visitors combine this with longer walks in the Goyt Valley, making for a half-day or full-day outing.
Yes, children can enjoy exploring the ruins and the surrounding natural landscape. The walk from the car park is relatively easy, but supervision is advised around the ruins and reservoir.
There are no facilities directly at the Errwood Hall ruins. You'll need to use facilities at nearby visitor centers or pubs before or after your visit.
Some locals suggest the ruins have a haunted reputation, adding to their mysterious allure.
📸 📸 Photography
The atmospheric ruins, the family graveyard, the shrine, and the scenic reservoir views offer excellent photographic subjects. Early morning light can create a magical ambiance.
Early mornings, especially around sunrise, provide soft light and fewer crowds, enhancing the mystical atmosphere of the ruins.
Drone usage is subject to local regulations and landowner permission. It's best to check current rules for the Peak District National Park before flying.
A wide-angle lens is useful for capturing the ruins and landscapes. A tripod can be beneficial for low-light photography in the early morning.
Yes, the 'Errwood Hall Revealed' app uses augmented reality to show you how the hall would have looked in its prime.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While there are no facilities on-site, packing a picnic to enjoy amidst the scenic beauty of the Goyt Valley is a great idea. Ensure children are supervised around the ruins and the nearby reservoir. Sturdy footwear is recommended for everyone, as the terrain can be uneven.
🚶♀️ Hikers and Walkers
+1 Routes vary in difficulty, from the gentle stroll to the hall itself to more challenging climbs up nearby hills like Shining Tor. Be prepared for varied terrain and unpredictable weather. Downloading offline maps or using a navigation app is highly recommended due to sparse signage.
📸 Photographers
The wider Goyt Valley, with Errwood Reservoir and the rolling hills, offers stunning landscape photography. Consider using a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the scenery and the ruins. A tripod will be beneficial for capturing detail in low light conditions, particularly during dawn or dusk.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History of Errwood Hall
The hall remained the heart of the estate for about a century. However, its fate was sealed with the construction of the Fernilee Reservoir in the 1930s. To make way for the reservoir, the hall was demolished, and its stones were repurposed for the water treatment works. Today, only the foundations and scattered wall sections remain, carefully preserved by the Peak Park Authority, offering a glimpse into its past grandeur.
Adjacent to the main ruins, you'll find the family graveyard on a nearby hilltop, restored in the 1980s. A short distance to the north lies the poignant Shrine to Dolores, a small chapel erected by the Grimshawe family in memory of Dolores de Ybarguen, a Spanish governess and teacher at the estate school. This shrine continues to be a place of quiet devotion.
Walking and Exploring the Goyt Valley
Beyond the immediate ruins, the Goyt Valley offers a network of paths that explore the reservoir and surrounding hills. Popular routes include circuits around Errwood Reservoir and connecting to nearby landmarks like Shining Tor and Shutlingsloe.
The terrain can vary, from well-maintained paths to more rugged tracks, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Navigation can be a challenge as signage is often minimal. Many visitors recommend downloading an app like 'Errwood Hall Revealed' which uses augmented reality to show the hall as it once was, or using a reliable map and compass.
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