Strawberry Hill. 133 



to have been associated with Arkwright in many of his 

 most important undertakings. The mill in question was 

 built, as Mr. Joel Wainwright correctly states,* upon the 

 lines of the famous one at Cromford. Embosomed in a 

 romantic valley, and surrounded by fine trees, among 

 which are walnuts for in tree-planting, as in other 

 things, Mr. Oldknow displayed exceptional good taste 

 it gives the idea less of a cotton-mill than of some great 

 institute or retreat, and proves that in the country, at 

 least, scenes of manufacturing need not by any means be, 

 as usual, depots of ugliness. Soon after passing the mill, 

 the path continues by the river-side, through pleasant 

 meads and under the shadow of the trees to the point 

 where the stream is crossed by Windybottom Bridge, 

 where the hill has now to be ascended, either leftwards 

 for Marple Ridge and Disley, or turning to the right for 

 Marple village. Either way, the walk is delightful, and 

 always at an end too soon. Another charming way from 

 Arkwright's mill to the bridge is along the slope on the 

 Derbyshire side of the water, called Strawberry Hill, but 

 this is only for the privileged. Down in this sequestered 

 valley, if we love the sight of wild-flowers, there is always 

 great store; in May the fragrant wild-anise, and in 

 autumn the campanula. 



A third excellent Marple walk is to go up the hill from 



*In his very interesting "Reminiscences of a Lifetime in Marple 

 and the Neighbourhood," 1882, a contribution to our local literature 

 which in the accuracy and variety of its entertaining details does the 

 author genuine credit. 



