Possibly our warmest April walk so far started at Elvaston Castle, near Borrowash, and just over the border in Derbyshire. The estate is owned by Derbyshire County council, and became one of the first Country Parks, in 1970. The castle, which is not open to the public, was the home of the Earl of Harrington, and mostly dates from the early 1800s, although part dates back to 1633.
We had a pleasant stroll through the grounds, pausing for our mandatory group photo, then left the park to follow the River Derwent, along the Derwent Valley Way. This was a new area for us to explore, and only about 35 minutes drive from Hucknall. We retired to the Queen’s Head in nearby Ockbrook afterwards, although several members of the group took a wrong turn on the way there, and didn’t arrive! Thanks to Gill Hunt for organising this walk.
John Tedstone