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The Ramblers
Wednesday 17 July

Around Chatsworth

Leader: John

A fairly comprehensive clockwise circular around the Chatsworth Estate, from the Calton Lees car park – taking in Calton Pastures, Ballcross, Edensor, Chatsworth House itself, the Hunting Tower, and Beeley.
25 in the group, which included five welcome guests from Lincoln as well as one from Derbyshire Dales. Another lady joined us in training for a forthcoming walk along the (flatter) streets of London.

Calton Pastures with The Russian Cottage in the distance

The lunchtime view from the Hunting Tower

Calton Pastures

Killamarsh

Leader: Steve

Steve’s first walk as leader today around his home area of Killamarsh covered the Westthorpe Hills, Hut Lane, Norwood, the Chesterfield Canal, and the Rother Valley Country Park.
A good route of about 10 miles in fine, warm weather for ten walkers, including two guests.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 10 July

Mi Amigo

Leader: Basil

A linear walk from Sheffield Market in the heart of the city, via Sheffield Cemetery and the
Botanical Gardens with its Bear Pit to Endcliffe Park, where we had a chat with the ‘ever present (?)’ Tony Foulds at the ‘Mi Amigo’ crash site.
After lunch in the Park it was a steady climb up the Porter Valley to Porter Clough – followed by a descent of the Limb Valley to Whirlow Brook and a bus into Sheffield City Centre – for a quick connection to the Chesterfield bound X17.
Seven in the group.

Bear Pit

A seat in the Limb Valley not required on the descent

Sheffield city centre viewed from the Porter Valley

The ‘Mi Amigo’ crash memorial

The Ramblers
Friday 5 July

Linacre

Leader: David

A morning stroll today from the 16A bus stop at Linacre, around the three reservoirs, and finishing at the Corve Way bus stop in Holme Hall.
Linacre Reservoirs are a gem right on Chesterfield’s doorstep, especially so on a warm day like today when a breeze from the water and the shade of the woods cool things down.

Linacre Reservoirs

The Ramblers
Wednesday 3 July

Around Hardwick

Leader: Kathryn Photo: Mel

Hardwick Hall

Dragon’s Back

Longnor, Barrow Moor, Hollins Clough, Chrome Hill

Leaders: John & Tricia

Alport (2)

Leader: Val

The second of Val’s three ‘Alport’ walks this summer began in Bakewell on a beautiful warm day.
An anti-clockwise circular via Over Haddon, Youlgrave, and the River Bradford – with a lunch stop by an ice cream van in Alport.
The afternoon return to Bakewell, with the weather hotting up, was via Conksbury.
A dozen in the group.

Alport swimming baths ?

The Ramblers
Wednesday 26 June

Dronfield Rotary Walk

Leader: Basil

A longer than usual bus walk saw a select band of four doing the 14.5 mile Dronfield Millennium Round Walk.
A grey day but dry following a period of heavy rain.
As such the conditions underfoot were difficult with soft ground, long wet grass, and mud.
Progress was therefore slower than usual.
Despite the mists there were hints of good views and it was an enjoyable day.

Bonsall

Winster Wander

Leader: Graham

On a cool and misty June day a group of 28 completed a 10.5 miles walk from Winster along the Derwent Valley and Limestone Ways to Birchover, Darley Dale, Snitterton, and Bonsall.

The Ramblers
Saturday 22 June

Slow Worm, near Darley Bridge

Rowsley, Birchover, & Darley Dale

Leader: David Photos: Mel & Cathy

A walk up the Cork Stone on a fine day

14 of us met at Rowsley for a near-10 mile walk on a glorious summer day.
We climbed 1000 feet or so up on to Stanton Moor before our coffee break and on the way we encountered what looked like hundreds of people and their multi-coloured tents continuing to celebrate the Summer Solstice at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle – a celebration that’s probably been held there for up to 2000 years.
I had intended to stop there for our morning break, but with the throng of people around we decided to carry on a little further.
We learned a little about the Urn people, who lived on the moor around 4000 years ago and where, in accordance with their beliefs, they were cremated to be as close as possible to the sky and stars.
After coffee we came to the prominent Cork Stone, where just one of the agile members of the group took advantage of the iron hand holds and was up to the top in no time. No one else dared follow her example.
Leaving the Moor, we dropped down to Birchover, on past Rowtor Rocks, and then turned up to Rockingstone Farm to descend down through the woods into Darley Dale – on the way noting the substantial remains of a massive, almost church-like, building used in mining hereabouts.
On our way down a slow worm crossing the road attracted much attention – and as it seemed to be going too slow for its own safety,it was given a gentle helping hand!
From Darley Bridge we left the hills behind us and continued over the fields to Church Town, where several of the group were unaware of the 2000 year old yew tree in the churchyard. The church is not usually open, but we found a wide open back door and went in – much to the surprise of the vicar, who was busy writing his sermon for the next day.
He explained that recent tests carried out suggest that the tree may be nearer 4000 years old, rather then the 2000 currently claimed. He also explained that what we thought was a rather poor example of a millstone reared up by the door was actually a Roman cremation stone.
That was he end of history lessons for the day and we returned to Rowsley over fields and woodland paths by the River Derwent.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 19 June

Around the Cordwell Valley

Leader: David

Twelve of us set off from Millthorpe and had a four mile walk around the Cordwell Valley, going up to Unthank and on to Moorhall, and then back along Rumbling Street and Johnnygate; these unusual place names led to much speculation as to their origins, which by and large members of the party were able to answer.
The weather was fine and – thankfully after the heavy recent rain of recent weeks – the paths were largely dry.

Appointment with Black Harry

Leaders: Terry & Eileen Photos: Mel

Painted Lady Butterfly

Climbing out of Cressbrook Dale just after the Peter Stone

Poppies near Hassop, viewed from Longstone Edge

The Black Harry Trails

Don Valley Way

Leader: Basil

The unsettled June weather has continued.

Disappointingly there were only four of us on a walk from Rotherham to Sheffield – using a section of the Don Valley Way.
The section is 9 of the 29 mile route and takes in the New York stadium, Meadowhall, and the brilliant ‘Spider Bridge’ near the Wicker in Sheffield.
A fine warm day – and we preceded the walk with an introduction to Rotherham with a visit to the 1483 Chapel on the Bridge, Market Hall, and Clifton Park.
There the museum exhibits include a well known lion and polar bear, plus the Rhinoceros. The latter is not an animal but a massive piece of locally made ceramics. The Wetherspoons pub in the town is named after it.

A walk that clearly needs to be re-cycled.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 12 June

Woodseats to Eckington

Leader: Basil

In a dismal week for weather, only three brave souls took a route from Woodseats Library to Eckington on the bus walk.
Some slippery conditions underfoot and some seemingly high stiles on the Dronfield Round Walk (and Sheffield Country Walk) bit.

Stiles and gates

Castle, Cave, & Cross

Leader: Edna Photos: John

Castleton, Cave Dale, Oxlow Rake, Mam Tor, Under Lose Hill

A grim old day with rain all the way on the drive to Hope, the starting point.
However it then stopped and the whole walk was rain free.
Both views are of the ridge during the descent from Mam Tor – with Lose Hill in the cloud behind Back Tor.

Flagstones help in the fight against erosion

The Ramblers
Wednesday 5 June

Baslow

Leader: Sara Photo: Mel

The evening group on Baslow Edge

Alport Height

Leader: Val

The first of this summer’s long bus ‘Alport’ walks ;

12 of us on the walk this week of just over 9 miles.
In search of our first ‘Alport’, we climbed up from Cromford, mainly following the Midshires Way via Alderwasley Hall and Shining Cliff Woods – to gain wide open views on a clear day.
A short stop on Alport Height enabled us to identify a number of distant hills before descending to Wirksworth and the bus home.

‘Alport 2’ is on July 3rd.

Rob Randle’s Memorial Walk

Leaders: Gavin & Rhona Photos: John & Mel

Better weather than last year for the walk from King’s Tree in the Upper Derwent Valley to Slippery Stones, Barrow & Grinah Stones, and Lynch Clough.

The loneliness of the long distance walker ?
(The Grinah Grain is the prominent valley with Win Hill beyond right of centre)

Not really
Company at hand for a Grinah Stones lunch break

Grinah Stones

…. previously on chesterfieldramblers

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2 Comments

Julie permalink

My limit at the moment is 10 miles round trip due to health problems ..but would like to make it a challenge for myself to push further ..I’m 61 so an older group would be more suitabless for me ..any advicentre would be appreciated ..I would also like my dog to accompany me if possible …

Reply
- peakrambler permalink
  
  Hi Julie. Thanks for your message. We have a range of walks from 3 or 4 miles up to a dozen miles and you’re very welcome to join us on one you think suitable. They are all listed under ‘Walksfinder’ on our website. Happy for anyone to try us out for 2 or 3 walks without commitment. A dog is certainly acceptable as long as it is under control where any livestock are involved. Just turn up at the start of any walk and introduce yourself.
  Best wishes David (Chair, Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Ramblers).
  
  Reply