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