144 RAMBLE OVER DERBYSHIRE HILLS AND DALES. 
We entered the ‘‘Nag’s Head,” had a jolly good meal, stretched our 
tired limbs, and smoked a pipe or two as we talked over the events 
of the day, and retired at 11.30. 
FRIDAY. 
© 4/1 scattered round in breadth and beauty lies 
A scene most charming to a poet’s eyes. 
Behind, the Castle-hill uprears his head ; 
In front, the vale, magnificently spread— 
Bounded by lofty peaks on either side.” 
TuRNED out of bed at 5.30, and made an exploring excursion in 
our slippers up Cave Dale, to the Great Cavern, and up the 
zig-zag to the Castle. Another stiff day’s work was in store for us, 
so we each made a hearty breakfast and then set to work. 
Our first view was of Peveril Castle on the east side. There is 
a turret at the south-east corner. The ashlar-work has nearly all 
tumbled off from this part of the old keep,* and the hard mortar 
projects beyond the time-worn stones it so tenaciously holds 
together. There is a small piece of zig-zag moulding on the 
inside of the wall, and ashes and scyamores spring from the floor. 
Very little else remains except this old tower or keep, and from 
the size of the area, and the crumbling outworks still existing, 
it would appear that Peak Castle was never a very large place, but, 
from its insulated position, almost impregnable. Looking down 
into the chasm and over the entrance to the Great Cavern, it is a 
sheer precipice of great depth. The Castle is quite unapproach- 
able from Cave Dale; and from the only side whence it is 
accessible, it has to be reached by traverses on the steep face 
of the hill. The view from the Castle yard is most imposing and 
beautiful ; including the village of Castleton at our feet; the giant 
Mam Tor on the west ; Lose Hill, Win Hill, Bamford Edge, and 
* Croston, in his On Foot through the Peak, says that these beautifully-worked 
stones have been stripped off by some former churchwardens to repair the 
church ! 
