Wrens Out Walking – Derbyshire Dales – Saturday and Sunday 28th and 29th May
A 10 mile walk has been organised and planned by our good friends Janice Bush and the ladies from the Derbyshire Dales Branch of the Association of Wrens.
We would welcome anyone to come and join us, The itinerary is as follows:
SATURDAY
* Meet at Matlock Football Club (DE4 3AR) from 0900-0930 for tea and bacon sandwiches. We leave the ground at 0950 for a short walk to Matlock Railway Station – our train departs at 1013.
There won’t be parking at football club as we won’t be back until late afternoon however Derbyshire county hall is 5 minutes walk away and open. ( Bank road, DE4 3AG, not to be confused with pay and display Derbyshire Dales Council). It says permits but its okay at the weekend as there’s no barrier or attendant. No need to bring lunch as Dales’ ladies are doing a bit of a buffet.
* After a 10 minute ride to Whatstandwell Station we walk by country lane to the National Tramway Museum in Crich which should take 40 minutes. The museum is holding an event titled ‘A Great British Seaside’, it should be busy so will hopefully attract some interest. We walk through the museum village to board a vintage tram and ride to the end of the line at Glory Mine to pick up a public footpath to Crich Stand, a memorial to the Sherwood Foresters’ Regiment and a local landmark with expansive views in all directions. From here its down into Crich Village to the Old Comrades Club who are opening early for us to have a lunch break – ETA approx 1230.
* At 1300 we shall set off through the village to cross fields, passing the entrance of the Museum again, then picking up a public footpath into Lea Woods, emerging onto a country lane leading towards Holloway where we will have a view of the family home of Florence Nightingale. By footpath behind the estate we cut through woodland and descend to the towpath of Cromford Canal. This is a flat, made up path, with lots of points of interest along the canal for 1.5 miles. At the end of the canal are the preserved historic Cromford Mills – famous as the site of Sir Richard Arkwright spinning mill – ETA 1500.
* From here its a flat pavement walk of about 1.5 miles along the A6 to the resort village of Matlock Bath, known as Matlocks answer to Blackpool (Candy floss is available here). We head then for Matlock Bath railway station but instead of a train we board an alpine ski lift, up and across the gorge to reach the visitor attraction of Heights of Abraham. Here we stop briefly in the cafe for tea/coffee before a public footpath over fields brings us down into Matlock Town – ETA 1700 approx
** The complete route is 10 miles but there is scope to join or leave at Whatstandwell, Cromford or Matlock Bath using the train line.
** The terrain is mixed so good walking footwear is advised.
** There will be many public toilets available throughout the route.
SUNDAY
*Our Sunday walk will be a gentle affair – a short loop around the historic Chatsworth estate, but will close with a grand finale !
Mindful that many will have long journeys home, we’ll have an early-ish start. We will meet at Chatsworth House (DE45 1PP ) at the car park kiosk 9:00 -9:15. There is a £5 charge for parking.
We walk away from the house passing Queen Mary’s Bower and crossing the stone bridge, following the River Derwent over flat meadows toward Calton Lees. After a gentle climb through the sheep and deer pastures we turn to head back towards the postcard village of Edensor for a quick brunch at the village tea room. We need to depart from here 11:00 at latest but the owner is happy to take a pre order so food and drinks can be ready for us.
Leaving the village we follow the path back to the house and adjacent stable courtyard.
There in the courtyard we have a 11:30 meeting with the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE for ‘a chat and a photo’.
Afterwards, for those who are not in a rush, the park behind the house is free to explore. (The hunting lodge has cannon from the Battle of Trafalgar !) There are a number of sculptures on display. The courtyard has shops and a café and a short drive from here is the gastronomic Chatsworth farm shop.
Please advise Barbara McGregor via the AOW Office if you would like to attend or if you have any questions.
WOW kit is available for you to order – follow the link https://royalnavyshop.co.uk/collections/wrens-out-walking
We are hoping to raise funds on the day for the AOW and WRNS BT.