On 2nd September this year, we completed a pleasant circular walk beginning and ending in Brackenfield, taking in the villages of Woolley and Woolley Moor, before skirting the edge of Ogston Reservoir and returning, via Ogston. The route covered varied terrain, offering a mixture of village charm, open countryside, and scenic waterside paths.
Setting out from Brackenfield, the morning was bright but cool, with hints of autumn beginning to colour the hedgerows. The gentle ascent towards Woolleygave wide views over the Amber Valley, while the church and stone cottages provided a reminder of the area’s long history. Continuing to Woolley Moor, the path crossed rolling farmland, alive with late summer bird activity.
From here, the route dropped steadily towards the reservoir. Walking along its wooded edge was a highlight, with calm reflections across the water and occasional glimpses of sailing boats and noting sightings of herons and grebes.
The return to Brackenfield was gradual and easy, passing hedgerows heavy with blackberries. The full circuit took just under four hours at a steady pace. Overall, this circular walk combined rural tranquillity with rich scenery, making it a thoroughly rewarding route to mark the beginning of autumn.
Mark Thornley
