On this page I hope to give as many links as possible to sites which give more information about Big Moor. If you know a site you think ought to be included then please let me know.
Photography
1. adam dunning photographer. This site is owned and run by my good friend and neighbour who brings the ‘professional’ touch to landscape and wildlife photography. His Eastern Moors prints convey the vastness of these Moors and the sky, and emphasize the loneliness of this wilderness. He also writes an interesting blog in a style somewhere between Lewis Carroll and Alan Bennett!
2. I think my wildlife photography is getting better but when I see this I realise just how far I still have to go! David Cookson is one of the best wildlife photographers in the UK, and you would have to go aa long way to find anyone who could possibly be better.
3. Darley Dale wildlife has some stunning and surprising images. Many of the photos are of moths but the owls are fantastic and there is even an osprey. The main point is that all these pictures were taken around Darley Dale, including the Eastern Moors area. There is a link on this site to James Butler Photography, which is the professional side of the main contributor.
4 Alan Heeley’s wildlife blog is relatively new but should be checked on regularly, as Alan has a keen interest in wildlife and has spent many hours on the Eastern Moors (and elsewhere) taking superb shots http://alanheeleywildlifephotography.blogspot.co.uk/
5. The Eastern Moors Partnership Flickr site is again a relatively new project but the site has been able to attract some of the top photographers in the aarea to add their contributions on a regular basis. http://www.flickr.com/groups/2236818@N25/
School projects
For teachers wanting to get children interested in wildlife there is no better starting point than Reach Wildlife. This started as a local Derbyshire project but now has links across the country and across the world. It specializes in arranging for schools to have their own bird box with a live video link which can then be shared with all the other schools. If one school does not have occupants in its own box it can watch the progress of all the other boxes. There are also many links to wildlife resources throughout the world as well as some of my photographs!
Geology
1. Geology of Britain in great detail. See what is under your own house!
Geography
1. Have a look at the Geograph site. Then do an advanced search for ‘Roger Temple.’ It will list all the 750+ photographs I took for them several years ago. Big Moor is covered by the OS grid square SK27 which contains 100 kilometer squares. I have a photograph for all 100!
Archaeology
1. A good starting point for more information is: The Modern Antiquarian.
I think some of the listings need double checking as it may be that some members are seeing things that are not there but this site is a good introduction to the subject.
2.Many detailed surveys and studies have been done on the stone circles and other antiquities of this area and the reports of the Hunter Archaeological Society contain a great amount of information. These reports are available in both Sheffield and Chesterfield Reference Libraries. Sadly very little information from these documents has been published online.
History
A general introduction to the history of Derbyshire can be found here
A detailed survey of Burbage Moor can be found here. While this is not strictly about Big Moor it does give a fascinating analysis of Moorland which joins onto the Eastern Moors area to the north-west. Many of the features, and much of the history is identical for the 2 areas.
Wild Life
1. A really interesting site with lots of wildlife links is: Cabinet of Curiosities
2. For the British List of birds see Birdguides.com. This site also has some spectacular photography.
3. Dragonflies. The site I would recommend most is http://www.dragonfly-images.co.uk/# Written by Chris Brooks this site has excellent photos and clear descriptions. Very helpful. I also like the Facebook page for UK dragonflies and damselflies. The contributors not only provide brilliant photos but are always prepared to help with identification.
Walking
For all Peak District walks start by looking here. This site also has some excellent links to virtually all tourist aspects of The Peak District.
Good Food & treats!
1. For several years Rowleys was the top lunchtime venue and was the place which set the standard by which all the others were judged. Lite bite lunchtime fish and chips was, and no doubt still is, a real treat. I feel however that its crown is now being seriously challenged by The Devonshire Arms in Baslow. This place used to be a bit run down and something of a ‘chips with everything’ establishment. Over the last few months there has been a change of ownership, a revamp of the building and more importantly a new standard of catering. Highly recommended. Some of the trip adviser reviews of this place are before the changeover and should be ignored. The new owners have combined a hotel with a restaurant/pub and a tea room giving a good choice of places to eat and drink and all set in a very relaxed atmosphere. Very considerate staff. Slight concern about vegetarian options and also whether it will become too busy at peak times but we shall see.
2. At the other side of the Moor you should look for the Chequers between Froggatt and Longshaw. This is an excellent hostelry and serves lunchtime food until 2.30. A little more pricey than the standard pub lunch but peaceful atmosphere and well worth it!
3. The Fox and Goose at Wigley. Changed hands since all the reviews I have seen via Google, but looks impressive after its makeover. Part of the same group as Brampton Manor in Chesterfield. Dined there recently and was very impressed. More expensive than a pub meal but pleasant atmosphere and excellent food. The only criticism was that there was only one vegetarian choice on the restricted Monday/ Tuesday menu.
3. The Peacock at Owler Bar. Used to be a good reliable restaurant but not too sure any more. It is now a standard Chef and Brewer eatery. Feedback would be appreciated
4. The Grouse near Longshaw Estate – sadly no website but click HERE for details. Good no frills food and drink at reasonable prices. Good starting point for White Edge and deer stalking.
5. On Saturdays and Sundays a catering van is now to be found in the Curbar Gap car park. This is no ordinary mobile food wagon as it is tastefully presented with something of a French air about it. Good coffee and tempting cakes.
http://bigmoor.co.uk/more-refreshments-at-curbar-gap-car-park
Miscellaneous
Big Moor and several adjacent Moors are now administered by The Eastern Moors Partnership, which is owned jointly by the RSPB and The National Trust under the terms of a 15 year lease from the Peak District National Park. Access will remain open to everyone. There is a careful balance to be struck between making the Moors too accessible and thereby affecting the wildlife and being too restrictive and putting people off from using this valuable asset.
The Eastern Moors website is now fully operational and gives details of how the moors are to be managed and also has useful information on forthcoming events etc.