Category: Long Walks

May 5^th Walk from Ashover

Our May walk set off from Ashover’s village hall under clear, sunny skies — perfect weather for exploring this beautiful corner of Derbyshire. We climbed steadily toward Appletree Knoll, rewarded with wide views across the hills, before continuing to Northedge Farm and the quiet Press Reservoirs.

The route then led us through the dappled shade of Sleigh Wood and past the Great Ponds of Stubbing, where the water was calm and bright in the afternoon sun. A gentle descent brought us to Bole Hill Quarry and through Alton, adding a touch of local history to the day. We finished back at the starting point and some local liquid refreshments

Our thanks to Steve Evens for once again leading this interesting 8-mile walk.

The rocky outcrop-the lunch stop with a view

On the trail

Silverhill Car Park to Pleasley Headstocks via the Teversal Trail. Returning via the Skegby Trail.

A 9 mile circular, undulating in parts but generally an easy-going walk on traffic-free trails, starting at Silverhill Car Park, passing the ‘Testing for Gas’ miners’ statue, continuing along the Teversal Trail to lunch at the Pleasley Headstocks and museum, then returning via the Skegby Trail — and the bonus was a nice sunny day.

The walk highlights included:

• Mining heritage landmarks, including the “Testing for Gas” statue.
• Long, traffic-free sections on the Teversal Trail and Skegby Trail.
• Pleasley Headstocks industrial heritage site and museum.
• Great in dry, bright weather with plenty of open views

5^th May Walk

An 8-mile walk is planned to start from Ashover

Meet at the Ashover Parish Hall free car park (please park at the far end)

Milken Lane S45 0AD at 9.45am for a 10am start

David Rose

Our March walk began at Calton Lees, near the magnificent Chatsworth House, on a crisp spring morning. From the car park we set off along a quiet lane towards the small hamlet of Calton, passing Calton Houses and the charming Russian Cottage as the countryside gradually opened around us. The route then led us into the picturesque village of Edensor, where we paused to visit St Peter’s Church. In the peaceful churchyard are the graves of Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington and sister of President John F. Kennedy, whose life was tragically cut short in 1948, and also at the resting place of Deborah Cavendish, one of the Mitford sisters, who married Andrew Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire.

Leaving the village, we walked back past the sweeping parkland surrounding Chatsworth House before tackling the steady climb of 163 steps to the Hunting Tower. The effort was rewarded with fine views over the estate, where we stopped for a well-earned lunch. Refreshed, we continued our route past the tranquil Emperor Lake, and then crossed the open landscape of Beeley Moor with its ancient Neolithic stone circle. Finally, the path curved back through rolling fields to Calton Lees, completing a memorable and varied countryside walk.

Mark Thornley

The February walk which started from The Nabb Inn was ably led by Angela Francis.

To avoid waterlogged fields and muddy footpaths we began an urban route to a footpath next to Eelhole Farm. From there the route was mainly through woodland and eventually returned via The Misk Hills and ‘Grannie’s Steps’.

Tuesday 3^rd March

Steve Evans will be leading a walk which starts at Calton Lees car park at the Chatsworth Estate Garden Centre

DE4 2NX

28 miles from Hucknall, about 50 minutes driving.

Meet at 9.45 for a 10.00am start

The walking distance is just over 8 miles, and the car park should be free (until Easter)

David Rose (on behalf of Mark Thornley Group Leader)

Our January walk ably led by Steve Evans was a varied 8.5 miles circular which began at Parfitt Lane car park in Farnsfield.

We set out along quiet paths toward the elegant grounds of Hexgreave Hall. The route continued through open countryside to Edingley, with wide views and peaceful but slightly frozen farmland. From there our route led toward the Farnsfield Bomber Memorial, a poignant spot commemorating the crew of the crashed Halifax III (MZ519, LK‑U) of 578 Squadron.

All seven crew members were killed when the aircraft crashed near Farnsfield on 6 July 1944 after returning damaged from a raid on a V1 launch site.

The Parfitt Lane car park is fittingly named to remember Pilot Officer Reginald Parfitt, aged only 22 and his young crew.

Our final stretch returned through woodland and field paths, back to the car park.

The next walk is on Tuesday February 3^rd.

During the period of short daylight hours and wet winter months we tend not to travel too far and try to avoid muddy agricultural routes as much as possible.

So, we are staring from The Nabb Inn in Hucknall.

It will be led by Angela Francis who has extensive knowledge of the area as she frequently walks it with her two lively greyhounds.

Currently the Long Walk Group Leader Mark Thornley is recovering well from a recent knee replacement and should be back in action around May or June.

David Rose