Category: Medium Walks

Our August walk, led by Chris West and Mandy James, took us into the unchartered territory of Dale Abbey, which is a beautiful, small and peaceful, Derbyshire village of significant historical and religious interest, unknown and unexplored by most of us, even though it lies only half an hour away from Hucknall!

Setting off from the Carpenter’s Arms on a perfect summer’s day, we headed first across fields to the Hermit’s Cave which, back in the early 1100’s, became the first dwelling in the then wild and marshy area, the hermit, (previously a baker from Derby), digging out and settling in the cave after a religious experience urged him to live a life of devotion there.

We then left the woods and continued along footpaths through fields and the privately owned Locko Park Estate, where we enjoyed our coffee break, sitting by the pretty lake. We then headed along gently undulating paths across fields and through woods until we reached the Stable View Café where we indulged in an ice cream break- a rare luxury on our walks but perfect for a warm summer’s day!

The last leg of the six mile walk saw us making the gradual descent through a pretty vale back down into the village where we were lucky enough to be given a guided tour of the Abbey remains, which date back to the 1200’s and are situated in a private garden, and then the tiny, ancient church, originally built by the aforementioned hermit who, after 20 years, was given a small income by a local landowner, impressed by his devotion.

Then, finally, a late lunch in the peaceful churchyard followed by a walk back through the village to the Carpenter’s Arms for drinks!

Our July walk started from Epperstone, where we were scrutinized by several people in the pub car park when we arrived, who we then established were another walking group on a similar route.

Our walk took us uphill from the village, with the high point being conveniently next to Hollybeck garden centre, where we stopped for coffee in the café, rather than our usual flasks.

On the return there were good views over towards Epperstone, Oxton and Calverton, shown in the photo, but also of gathering dark clouds. We agreed that we were all about to get very wet, but in the event, the rain only lasted for a few minutes. We rounded off a very pleasant walk in the Cross Keys pub afterwards.

Many thanks to Gill Hunt and Mark Thornley for planning this walk. Our next walk on Monday 21^st August walk will be at Dale Abbey.

John Tedstone

Our June walk was an enjoyable local ramble around some of the paths reputed to have been walked by D.H.Lawrence, starting from Moor Green, and taking in Felley and Moor Green reservoir. At one point, we came across what looked a migration path for frogs, which were each no more than 1 cm. long. 

There was the usual wide-ranging conversation of our group, which at one point strayed onto childrens’ TV programmes, before the days of colour transmissions, in particular Noggin the Nogg!

Thanks to Lynn and Pete Baker for organizing this walk. Our next walk will be from Epperstone, on Monday 17^th July.

We always welcome new members for this group – just use the contact form below:-

John Tedstone

Ticknall and Calke 15^th May 2023

By following the RAW MILK signs, or otherwise, fourteen members arrived at the starting point for the walk. Encouraged by the sunny weather and fantastic views over the Staunton Harold reservoir we set off in a southerly direction towards Dimminsdale, proceeding with caution as we passed the 200 pound crocodile!

Dimminsdale Nature Reserve is an SSSI; in it’s heyday during the 18^th and 19^th century it was a quarry yielding limestone and lead. The path led us to a high point where we could look at a quarry face and only visualise the ores being extracted using picks and shovels.

Moving on through the woodland and emerging near Staunton Harold Hall we learnt about Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers, the last earl to be executed, for murdering his steward; method of execution- hanged, using a rope made of silk.

Proceeding north through Calke Park, lunch was taken at the café area. Continuing through the Park towards Ticknall, but we had to stop off to greet, ‘The Old Man of Calke’. A pedunculate oak; a quick calculation of the sum of all the ages of the group was made- conclusion: – at 1000 years old, the oak tree only just won! Once through the Anglo- Saxon village of Tichenhalle we turned south to pass through naturally reclaimed woodland that again once housed limekilns returning to our starting point via boardwalks around part of the reservoir. A pleasant and varied walk of 6.5 miles in good company.

Dave and Kevin

Our April walk was at Attenborough nature reserve – starting at the main visitor centre car park, we followed a figure of 8 route, taking in much of the river path, as well as Attenborough village and the church yard.

This was an easy walk, and there were some signs of Spring approaching, although the weather was still a little on the cold side. We paused in the churchyard to look at the memorial for the workers who died in the Chilwell armaments factory explosion in 1918, not long before the end of the war.

We stopped at the picnic benches near the centre for our lunch break. Several of the birds were taking an interest in the sandwiches, in particular a persistent swan!

Our May walk will be a bit further afield at Calke Abbey, and will be led by Dave Kay and Kevin Varey. We are grateful to members who offer to plan and lead our walks, and more members are always welcome – use the Medium Walks tab on our website to get in touch via email.

John Tedstone