Category: Long Walks

The April walk started from Vicar Water Country Park – which is just to the south of Clipstone village. It has been created on the site of a former colliery, transforming this former industrial site into a heath land, woodland and grassland and offers spectacular views across to Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

At the centre of the park is Vicar Pond, a large fishing lake created by the fifth Duke of Portland in the 1870s. In the past the lake has been used for boating and swimming. 

Vicar Water is actually the stream that flows through and we could see the work being carried out to restore its original meandering course to the River Maun.

Part of our walk was through Kings Clipstone then along the River Maun and another conservation area called Spa Ponds before returning to our starting point

The next long walk is on 6^th May

Mark Thornley

On the 4th March, we embarked on an 8.30 mile, circular walk from Tansley, taking in Tansley Knoll and Lumsdale Falls before returning to the village. The weather was on our side and it was sunny for the majority of the walk.

Setting off from Tansley, we followed a well-marked path up to Tansley Knoll, where we were rewarded with panoramic views over the Derbyshire countryside. The gentle ascent provided a good warm-up, and the terrain was a mix of grassy fields and stone paths and reasonably dry and to our relief not too much mud.

From the knoll, we descended through woodland and open farmland towards Lumsdale, where the historic valley and waterfalls awaited. The Lumsdale Falls were in full flow, cascading over moss-covered rocks. The ruins of the old mills along the valley added an atmospheric touch to the walk. The damp paths near the falls required careful footing, but the scenery made it worthwhile.

The return to Tansley followed a mixture of woodland trails and country lanes, offering a peaceful conclusion to the walk. Overall, the route provided a mix of scenic views, local history, and natural beauty, making it a rewarding excursion, finished off with a pint in the Tavern pub at Tansley.

Our latest walk was to Haywood Oaks and Blidworth Woods, the weather kept fine for us, with bright sunshine. 

The walk was 8.34 miles and on very good Forestry Commission paths, which meant we weren’t walking through mud.  The walk was mainly through  woodland which was very nice; through Blidworth where we stopped for lunch.  After which we continued our walk through fields, again on good paths, where we saw two Red Kites.  Then through Blidworth Bottoms and woodland back to the carpark; a big thank you to all who turned out, fourteen in all, a good turn out for the time of year. 

Everyone commented on what a good walk it was and how much they had enjoyed it which was very nice.  Our next walk is Tansley Knoll and Lumsdale Falls, which is near Matlock.

Date: 9^th January 2025

The walk commenced from Teversal Visitors Centre under a crisp winter sky, with temperatures hovering around 5°C. The path to Hardwick Hall wound gently uphill, offering panoramic views of the frosty countryside. The trail, well-marked and lined with bare hedgerows, provided a tranquil atmosphere, punctuated by the occasional call of a robin or the rustle of dry leaves.

After approximately 45 minutes of steady walking, Hardwick Hall came into view, its Elizabethan grandeur standing stark against the pale sky. The grounds, partially dusted with frost, were quiet, allowing for peaceful exploration of the exterior. A short rest was taken here to admire the scenery and enjoy a warm flask of tea.

The return journey led through Lady Spencer’s Wood, a secluded haven where towering oaks and beeches created a serene canopy. The woodland path was soft underfoot, scattered with fallen leaves. The air was invigorating, carrying the earthy scent of damp moss. Several squirrels were spotted darting between trees.

The circuit concluded back at the visitors’ centre after a total of around three hours, leaving walkers refreshed and inspired by the landscape’s wintry charm. This route is highly recommended for its natural beauty and historical highlights.

The December walk was an 8 mile circular hike which started by the River Trent at Fiskerton.

The route took us to Farndon before looping around the big complex that is Staythorpe Power Station. The power station is fuelled by natural gas (methane) and the site once housed 2 coal fired plants.

The area is a focus for pylons which transmit the power across the county and beyond.

We took a coffee break near these ‘iron giants’ by the river at Staythorpe

The route continued to Averham and onto Rolleston for a late lunch stop behind the village hall.

Following lunch we completed the last section via the impressive water powered Mill at Fiskerton to the car park.

The next walk is on Tuesday 7^th January