News Archive (April 2023)

Sunday 30th April

Holmebrook

Cutthorpe, Barlow, Highlightley Lane, Wilday Green, Wigley, Old Brampton and Linacre Wood.

Leader: Mike

A group of 14 walkers met and set off from Holmebrook in the direction of Cutthorpe. It was a mild and overcast morning with rain forecast for later in the day.

We made our way through Cutthorpe village and followed the footpath through Cutthorpe Common towards Sudbrook Farm. From there we continued through the fields via Wilkin Hill and onwards to emerge at Rutland Terrance. Following a section of the ‘Round Walk’, the group continued past Lee Bridge and at the fishing ponds stopped for a coffee break and some flapjack provided by the leader.

Suitably refreshed the group followed the footpath through the woodlands above the fishing ponds towards Brindwoodgate. The recent wet weather made this a slightly muddy walk but it was compensated by the verdant display of bluebells. At Peakley Hill the group continued onto Highlightley Lane to pick up a path through fields to Bradley Lane. Crossing this lane the group climbed the path through six fields to emerge at Far Lane and Rumbling Street. Good views of Barlow Woodseats from this location.

The group followed the footpath to descend down to Wilday Green and then climbed up to the highest point of the walk at Grange Hill. The predicted rain arrived early and stayed with us at Bluster Castle during our lunch stop. Dry stone walls making suitable shelters for the group away from the rain and breeze.

Dropping from this location, the group followed the path down to Birley Brook and continued on the woodland path to climb up past Wigley Hall Farm and emerge at the cross roads at Wigley. Going in the direction of Old Brampton the group followed Bagthorpe Lane down to Frith Hall and took the path down into Frithhall Wood. A gentle climb was made from the wood and through fields to reach St. Peter & St. Paul Church at Old Brampton.

Proceeding past the church down the road the group picked up the footpaths through fields to reach the dam wall at the bottom reservoir at Linacre Woods. A gentle climb led to paths through the woodland and the group headed towards the Jacobean Cutthorpe Hall. Passing by Hall Farm the group continued on the bridleway into Holmebrook Valley Park and completed the walk.

Distance: 11.7 miles

Elevation: 1820 ft

Saturday 29th April

Teversal

Leader: Chris & Jill Photos: Mel

Another Saturday walk from Teversal Visitors Centre. This time taking in Silverhill Trail, Five Pits Trail,Hardwick Country Park and finally the Teversal Trail. Ten walkers started the day at the visitors centre, most had bacon sandwiches and a cup of tea. Still a £3 bargain. Mel spotted a Heron, we all missed it!! Sixteen ramblers started the walk on Silverhill Trail, crossing the border into Derbyshire and arriving at Tibshelf Lakes for morning drinks. A lovely spot with welcoming benches and tables.

a group of walkers heading through a field from Pilsley station. The field is full of oil seed rape, and is a vibrant summery yellow.

Heading for Cedar Farm, Pilsley station in the background.

The walk then followed the Five Pits Trail before turning east towards Hardwick Hall. As we passed Hardwick Inn it was lovely to see that the renovation work had been completed, the pub was back to its former glory. After a long but steady climb to Hardwick Hall we had lunch where we were able to use the National Trust toilets and benches. A little drizzle but lovely nonetheless. A walk through Lady Spencer’s Wood and finally through open farmland and back onto the Teversal Trail ended the walk of nearly ten miles.

Leaving Norwood Lodge.

Wednesday 26h April

Dam The Tide

Leader: Terry & Eileen Photos: Mel

Desending from Tideslow Rake – full of lunch of course.

The group with Cressbrook Dale as a backdrop.

Cressbrook Dale as a backdrop.

Holmesfield

Leader and photos: Hilary & Ann

A group of 22 joined this walk which was led by Ann, Hilary and kindly backmarked by Vanessa. The group headed from Holmesfield onto Fanshaw Gate and over Totley Moss to Wimble Holme Hill. Then through Blackamoor Nature Reserve and back through Totley and Holmesfield wood. Fortunately the weather was sunny and dry.

Saturday 22 April

Barlow & Millthorpe

Rumbling Street, Bradley Lane, Cartledge, Millthorpe, Unthank, Moorhall, Oxton Rakes

Leader: Mike Photo: Mel

A good turnout of 17 walkers set off from the car park on Barlow’s Far Lane. The weather at the start was mild with sunny intervals, a slight westerly breeze but free of rain.

The group walked down the lane to take the footpath down through six fields to reach Bradley Lane. Crossing this road we continued on the footpath to emerge on Highlightley Lane. From here it was a steady climb through fields up to Peakley Hill.
Joining the bridleway up to Cartledge, the hawthorn blossom made this an attractive climb. Here the group had their coffee stop and admired the views over the Cordwell Valley.

After this break it was down to Millthorpe, a crossing of the ford and then the footpath to Unthank.
An opportunity was taken by members of the group to purchase a selection of home cakes from the farmhouse at Unthank. Taking the footpath we entered Meekfield Wood and climbed steadily through the woodland up to Moorhall Farm.

We crossed the lane and joined the footpath at Grangewood Farm for a descent down to Grangewood. Climbing out of the wood the group took the footpath to Barlow Grange where a welcome lunch break was taken ; after which the route continued on the road at Barlow Grange to reach the highest point of the walk above Cutthorpe at 970 ft.
A chance was taken by Mel to take a group photo at this location.

After a short distance the group took the muddy bridleway down to Oxton Rakes to emerge eventually onto Grange Lane. A section of road walking along Wilday Green Lane was needed to pick up the field footpath to climb back up to Rumbling Farm and along Far Lane back to the start.

Although this was one of the shortest walks in the Saturday programme, it was varied enough, had a good amount of climb and was enjoyed by everyone.

Distance: 7.6 miles
Elevation: 1250 ft

Wednesday 19th April

Cromford Meadows and Bonsall Circular

Leader and photos: Judith

The group enjoying their walk.

Wednesday 19 April

Curbar Edge Loop

Shillito Woods, Wellington Monument, Eagle Stone, Curbar Edge, Froggatt Edge

Leaders: Jane & Nigel Photos: Mel

Yellow Open Access Land on Barbrook ( commonly known as Big) Moor

Barbrook 2 Stone Circle

Saturday 15 April

The Nine Rings (Part 1)

Calow, Sutton Scarsdale, Heath, Temple Normanton, Cock Alley

Leader: Mel Photos: Mel & Michael

Eighteen of us in total, including visitors from Erewash, South Derbyshire and Doncaster.

The White Hart at Calow was the starting point for this Saturday walk.
Beginning at the pub car park, with kind permission from the landlord, the group followed the route of the Chesterfield Round to Sutton Scarsdale Hall, where a short coffee break was taken.
This was then followed by a short deviation from the Round taking in Wrang Plantation, before rejoining it at Owlcotes Wood.
On then to Heath and Slack Lane to enter the extensively restored area of Holmewood and Williamthorpe Reserve.

Following a short stop at the interpretation panel for a photo shoot the group then followed the surfaced trail between the rapidly greening trees, interspersed with the golden glow of pussy willows brightly lit by the increasing bright sunshine, for a leisurely lunch overlooking Williamthorpe Ponds.
From here the trail led to Temple Normanton and on down to the junction of Muster Brook and Calow Brook.
After crossing the brook the group continued through Cock Alley before turning along Dark Lane to reach the return path through Calow Oaks, and thence back to the White Hart for a well earned beverage at the pub.

Wednesday 12 April

Abbey Brook

Wellhead, Bamford House, Abbey Brook, Cartledge Stones, Derwent Edge

Leader & Photos: Michael

Abbey Brook

Thirteen brave souls ignored the weather warnings of strong winds and heavy rain and congregated at Ashopton Viaduct for a 12 mile walk to Abbey Brook.
The first few miles along the eastern shore of Ladybower and the climb from Wellhead passing Lanehead to Pike Low were dry but with a strong wind at our backs.
A brief stop for coffee sheltering behind a stone wall ensued before heading northwards, passing Bamford House and descending Abbey Bank.
It was along this stretch that the rain and then the sleet started, but at least it was on our backs.
We then began the undulating walk alongside Abbey Brook with lunch taken at the base of Sheepfold Clough in an attempt to shelter from the cold wind and rain.

It was here that two of our party elected to return by a lower-level route whilst the rest of us continued into the upper reaches of Abbey Brook with its ever more dramatic scenery.
On emerging from the top of the valley we headed to Cartledge Stones and then turned south for the return along Cartledge Stones Ridge to reach Back Tor and Derwent Edge.
The wind and occasional rain was into our faces for the final four miles, but the wind was nowhere near as strong as forecast.
The heaviest rain arrived just after we had arrived back at Ashopton Viaduct – good timing !