News Archive (April 2022)
Wednesday 27 April
Eyam
Leader: Graham Photo: Mel
Leadmill Bridge, Froggatt, Stoney Middleton
Froggatt Bridge
Eighteen ramblers including four visitors walked a 10.5 mile circuit from Eyam via Eyam Moor,
Stoke Ford, Grindleford, and Stoney Middleton.
A cold start to the day which turned sunny in the afternoon with great views.
Sunday 24 April
Coombs Dale & Chatsworth
Leader & Photos: Mike
Coombs Dale, Black Harry Gate, Rowland, Pilsley, Chatsworth, Baslow
A group of 11 set off on a sunny and breezy morning from Calver. The cold easterly wind was ever present throughout the walk but it stayed dry.
Across fields, the group joined the path that climbs steadily through Coombs Dale and goes past Sallet Hole Mine to Black Harry Gate.
Rising above this to High Rake we felt the full force of the wind as we stopped for the morning break ; good views over towards Bretton and Tideslow Rake.
We descended, passing Bleaklow and Rowland and carried on through fields to reach Hassop.
We declined the milk shakes on offer at Home Farm and went behind and on to the bridleway through Birchill Bank Wood to reach the A619.
Crossing this it was up the bridleway to Pilsley for the lunch stop in a sheltered location with great views back towards Longstone Edge.
A steady climb up Handley Lane brought us to the much eroded and rocky path down into Edensor.
Proceeding into Chatsworth Park, we followed the Derwent Valley Heritage Way towards Baslow, taking time to admire some of the sculptures on display in the Park as part of the Burning Man exhibition.
Taking advantage of the facilities in Baslow we then made our way to Bubnell. Plenty of birdlife on display on the river. We followed the Heritage Way back through Bubnell to end the walk at Calver.
A nice walk with a mixture of terrain and good views.Mileage – 12.8 miles
Elevation – 1400 ft
Saturday 23 April
Coal Aston
Leader: Isobel ; Photo: Mel
Lightwood, Charnock, Ridgeway Moor, Povey Farm
Twelve set off from Coal Aston village hall on a chilly and cloudy Saturday morning; spring seeming to have retreated, unlike us advancing forth. Amongst the group was our youngest, the grand niece of one of our regular walkers. Although only 6 years old she completed the 9 mile walk, only flagging a bit towards the end. A prospective member in many years time !
From Coal Aston the walk headed over fields through Nor Wood and towards Hazelbarrow Farm. An early stop for coffee was made just before reaching Lightwood.
The route then went through Stoneley Wood where there was an impressive display of bluebells.
Lunch was eaten at Charnock Park where there was an opportunity for play on the slides – guess who did ?
We then reached Ridgeway Moor using Robinbrook Lane, continuing to Povey Farm via Sload Lane.
The sun had come out by now and spring had re-appeared.
The recently tarmacked Owler Car Lane brought us up the hill to Owler Car Wood and the Sheffield Country Walk back to Coal Aston.
Distance 9 miles ; Ascent 1000ft
Thursday 21 April
Radical Horizons
Chatsworth’s latest sculpture exhibition, the art of Burning Man provides for a gentle stroll in the parkland rather than the usual gardens.
Free, it is there until October, with summer additions to be added.
Saturday 16 April
Poolsbrook
Leader & Photo: Mel
Poolsbrook Country Park, Barlborough, Norbriggs Flash, Cuckoo Way
Starting from Poolsbrook Country Park with brilliant blue sky sunshine, today’s group, including visitors and new members, followed a route to celebrate the excellent recovery work on the now defunct Poolsbrook and Markham Colliery sites.
Particular reference was made to the renewed connectivity of paths lost to mining activities in the distant past.
Leaving the Country Park we made our way over the old Ireland Colliery spoil heap, now covered with blossoming native trees and bushes and improving year on year.
On then to the Seymour site to cross the Hawke Brook where considerable attention has been paid to ensuring a natural walking corridor for the paths, with integrated wildlife ponds and retained trees and vegetation.
From here the route passed under the motorway to join with pre-mining paths before re-crossing back over the motorway for a coffee stop ; then on to Oxcroft Junction and the Clowne Greenway.
The Greenway was only followed for a short distance before we branched off across farmland to skirt around Romley Hall Farm.
On then to Barlborough Common with a gentle stroll down Woodhouse Lane for refreshments, stopping just before Happy Valley.
Following a very relaxed lunch in warm sunshine the group dropped down to Norbriggs Cutting then on to the Cuckoo Way for the return journey to the start, finishing with a section of the Trans Pennine Trail.
Along the way the group were rewarded with sightings of newly emerging bluebells and butterflies including Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Ringlets, Speckled Wood, Orange Tips and spectacular specimens of Brimstone butterflies, all brought out by the late spring sunshine.Many thanks to assistant leaders Tricia and Barbara and all who supported the walk.
Sunday 10 April
Eyam
Leaders: Naomi & Chris Photos: John
Sir William Hill, Stoke Ford, Leadmill Bridge, Grindleford Bridge, Froggatt, Stoney Middleton
Saturday 9 April
Barlow
Leader: Mike Photo: Mel
Rumbling Street, Bradley Lane, Cartledge, Millthorpe, Unthank, Moorhall, Oxton Rakes
The group at Unthank
The group of 12 walkers including the leader set off from Rumbling Street, Barlow in lovely sunny weather.
It remained dry and sunny for the duration of the walk.
Going down Far Lane we picked up the footpath down through fields to reach Bradley Lane. Crossing this and Highlightley Lane a steady climb up towards Peakley Hill followed. We joined the bridleway to ascend up to Cartledge Hall Farm and a well earned coffee break. Good views of Millthorpe and the valley below.
We proceeded down to Millthorpe, crossing the footbridge, and following the footpaths to Unthank.
A few of us took the opportunity to purchase the homemade cakes from the farmhouse there.
The group then made their way through the fields and the steady climb through Meekfield Wood for the lunch stop below Moorhall Farm.
After lunch, we picked up the footpath to Grange Wood. The part-time horse whisperer and wrangler, Mel, was able to keep a couple of fussy horses at bay to allow us to proceed along the paths. We climbed out of this wood and continued through fields and various awkward stiles to reach Barlow Grange.
Some lane and road walking brought us to the bridleway down to Oxton Rakes ; after which it was the narrow lane up to Grange Lane and onwards to Wilday Green.
From here the group followed the footpaths down to Crowhole Brook, up on to Far Lane, and back to the start.Some commented that the great number of stiles climbed on the walk likened it to the ‘Grand National’ of walks.
A good day out and enjoyed by all.
The distance was 7.8 miles, with 1100 ft of elevation.
Wednesday 6 April
Chatsworth in the Spring
Leader & Photos: Dermot
Baslow, Curbar, Bubnell, Pilsley, Edensor, Chatsworth
16 walkers set off from the Robin Hood Car Park on a cool, bright, breezy, spring morning and headed for Gardoms Edge before descending towards the A621. From there it was the sharp ascent up towards Wellington’s Monument and on to Baslow Edge.
After a short coffee stop there, due to the arrival of a heavy shower, we descended from the Edge down into Curbar.
We then followed the River Derwent towards Bubnell before heading over the fields to the A619 and then the sharp ascent to Pilsley, where we had lunch, whilst overlooking Longstone Edge.
Then it was on to Edensor and Chatsworth, where we stopped briefly to admire the preparation of the
Burning Man sculptures which will be a feature of the park this summer.
From there we began our final ascent of the day up to the Hunting Tower to take the obligatory group photograph and admire the views.
It was then a short walk back along Dobb Edge to the Robin Hood.
Miles covered were 11.3 – and a good time was had by all!
Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Ramblers 