`Live in Hope..........die  in Castleton'
A pun sometimes heard in conversation with local people. However, it should not be assumed that everyone retires to Castleton to see out their last days! Does it reflect upon the possibility of life in the Hope Valley being too good to warrant going any further? The villages are only two miles apart.
Most of Hope Village straddles the main A625. It has a car park with toilet facilities and a few shops which cater admirably for both the tourist and resident. An interesting craft shop with tea rooms is always popular, also the local inn, ``The Poachers Arms'' which serves up hearty home-cooked dishes.
The scenic road to Edale starts here, following the river Noe with numerous footpaths to tempt you to stretch your legs. One will take you up to Lose Hill for a panorama of the Hope and Edale valleys. Energetic walkers can continue along the ridge via Hollins Cross, then descend into either Edale on the north side or Castleton on the south side. The distance of each route is about five miles from Hope. Arrange for someone to meet you with transport for your weary legs. An easier yet pleasant walk to Castleton is just off the Pindale road, a turning near the church, along two miles or so of the valley footpath.
Bamford is nearly four miles to the east, with the old village situated on the A6013 along which the traveller must proceed to view some spectacular scenery. You will approach the Upper Derwent Valley alongside Ladybower Reservoir before joining the A57 Glossop to Sheffield road. The turn to Glossop is the famous Snake Pass. A short distance along here, after crossing the reservoir, is a tempting road off to the right. It leads deep into high moorland of the Peak District National Park, above the Derwent and Howden Reservoirs, and no further. Avoid this route during high summer weekends and Bank Holidays, but do attempt it at other times in fine weather when you should be able to park more easily. Come August and the hills are alive with heather. The reservoirs were constructed early this century. Ladybower is the lowest and conceals the two lost villages of Derwent and Ashopton, engulfed by the rising waters.
No wonder Hitch `n' Hike established their superb outdoor pursuits shop within the grounds of High Peak Garden Centre on the A625. There is very little they don't have for travelling over the ground and underneath it.
Bamford, like Hope, is very much a sheep farming community. Sheepdog Trials are held in the area every Spring Bank Holiday Monday; certainly the place to be if you have enjoyed One Man and His Dog'' on television.
It is a grand occasion attracting hundreds of spectators to witness some of the world's best shepherd and dog partnerships.