Walk Derbyshire – Calton Lees, Chatsworth to Rowsley
There are some beautiful walks around Chatsworth as the river there is so pretty and, attracts many people each year for picnics and walks. We decided to head out from Chatsworth for some panoramic high up views of the valley from Calton Lees car park up into Rowsley. I’m sure you have visited Chatsworth before. People come from around the world to visit the beautiful house and gardens on the banks of the River Derwent. The house and gardens are open to visitors most of the year and, there are stunning walks around the gardens. For families there is a farmyard and park area too. Even though there is a charge to access the house and gardens (check out their website for more up to date information), you can visit the courtyard with restaurant, cafe and shops for free and there are walks in the park which you can enjoy without going through the gardens. Down by the banks of the river is a beautiful place to picnic in the summer with friends. The village of Rowsley has many picturesque riverside walks starting from the village. The river here is world renowned for its rainbow trout, brown trout and grayling and, attracts anglers from all over the world. The village has a small shopping centre called Peak Village which is worth a little visit. The beautiful Peacock Hotel is a grade II listed building dating from 1652 and a visit is recommended. THE WALK :: THE WALK :: THE WALK We park in the Chatsworth Estate Calton Lees car park which during the winter is usually free but a fee is payable from the Spring onwards (but you can pay by card!)///backfired.losses.backers From the car park entrance we head right and walk past the road to the garden centre. We follow the road all the way up past the houses and keep the stream on your left hand side. We walk past Lees Wood on your left hand side. Follow the road straight until you eventually come across a couple of Chatsworth estate houses which you can rent for holiday homes. ///slug.convinces.cobras Carry on past here and you will come to a gate where you can go pretty much straight ahead onto the track or right. We are going straight ahead – there is a sign here which gives you a little background. At the farm gate we head left, and left again, where we start to go up quite a steep hill. We all had a race to get to the top!! Have a rest here and enjoy a flask of coffee or just the lovely views. Over the stile and we go into the woods.///sits.nylon.theory Follow the track in the woods for a short distance and then follow the track left. When we were here we came across quite a few cyclists (albeit on their cheating electric bikes!) Follow through the woods and turn left at the end. Here you will come out onto a small road. We are going to turn left. Follow the road all the way and it will bend right slightly.///disengage.diplomat.oils At the end we turn right here and just follow the road. We end up on Church Lane and walk through the village of Rowsley. After you pass St. Katherine’s Church, head to the corner and turn left onto the Derwent Valley Heritage Way. Now we walk keeping the river on the right hand side. We cut across a lovely large field, still with the river on your right. Eventually you will head into Calton Lees and where you started! Turn right and you will see the garden centre on your right and the car park ahead. We’d love to see the photo’s of your walk – please send them in tovicky@imagespublishing.co.uk INFORMATION :: INFORMATION :: INFORMATION Parking: At Carlton Lees car park within the Chatsworth Estate near their Garden Centre. Pubs: There are a couple to choose from on the route, if you take a short detour at Rowsley. Distance: Long 5.6 miles and approximately 2hrs 15min. Terrain: A fair bit of up hill on the first half of the walk, but a decline and flat finish awaits! 00
Walk Derbyshire – A Pleasant Walk from Pilsley to Hassop
Pilsley, Bakewell is a very picturesque village within the Chatsworth estate. Many of the gritstone cottages in the village are occupied by estate workers at Chatsworth. There is a lovely spacious green in the middle of the village and there are stunning views all around the village. Part of the village was built in the mid 1700s and further houses were built in the late 1830s. The Devonshire Arms in the centre of the village was built over 300 years ago and serves food, real ales and you can also stay. A couple of minutes walk away is Chatsworth farm shop which we visited before encountering our walk. It stocks some fantastic fresh, local produce along with gifts and cards. This is a lovely circular walk which takes in woodland, open fields and beautiful lanes. We parked in the charming village of Pilsley, near the Devonshire Arms, on the High Street. THE ROUTE We start the walk in the centre of Pilsley, after a pint at the Devonshire, or a coffee and cake at the Chatsworth cafe! With the Devonshire in front of you, turn right and head down the road. On your left you’ll see a sign for Richard Whittlestones studio. Richard Works in acrylics, water colour and oils, drawing inspiration from the Derbyshire countryside. Richard has appeared on many front covers of Country Images Magazines over the years, and his studio is well worth a visit. Follow the road about 250 meters until you see a stile on the left hand side, pointing across the fields. The view here is amazing, as it looks out over Baslow and the edge. Hop over the style and head down the field with the wall on your right before going diagonally right down towards the A619. This is a little steep and tricky, so be careful. Then cross the road. We’re then heading diagonally right again, back up the hill. When we did this walk, there were a lot of cows in this field, some with small calves. So be careful, and take the necessary precautions. This will bring you out at Wheatlands Lane, a lovely and quiet farm track. Head left down the lane. On your right, take note of the small circular stone building in the field. It is thought this building was built in the 1700s and was used as an ash house. A place where potash was kept before it was spread on the fields. This was used in Derbyshire well into the 1900s. Follow all the way until this turns into School Lane. Follow this to the end where you will reach the tiny Hamlet of Hassop. Turn left at the T junction. Stay on the pavement on the left hand side of the road. As you follow the road through the village you will notice the elaborate entrance to Hassop Hall – which used to be a stunning restaurant and hotel. Hassop Hall, a Grade II* listed country house near Bakewell, Derbyshire, has a rich history dating back centuries. Originally owned by the Foljambe family, it passed to the Plumptons and then the famous Eyres. The Eyres were staunch Royalists, and the Hall played a role in the Civil War. It underwent significant rebuilding in the 17th century. The estate changed hands several times, passing through the Leslies and Stephensons before being acquired by Mr. Thomas H. Chapman in 1975. Hassop Hall operated as a hotel until 2019 and is currently undergoing restoration. Its history, architecture, and picturesque setting make it a significant part of Derbyshire’s heritage. As you follow the road round you will see a sign here for drinks and we found it such a cool place. It’s a small little outlet selling drinks, ice cream and farm produce. Definitely worth a visit and you’re helping support local business too. They take contactless which is a nice little bonus. Come out of the little farm shop, head left through the farm and straight in front of you is a gate. We follow a narrow path with a hill on the left. Follow this track for a while and start to slowly head back towards the car. This was super muddy when we came but only for a tiny part of the walk where you have to cross a brook at the end of the path. Once over the brook we head left through the trees. This eventually comes out to a farmers track, with tall trees to the left and an old stone wall to the right. There is a picturesque old barn on the right hand side. You will come out onto the main road A619 which you can cross, and then head right before turning left. When the pavement finishes there is a public bridleway sign. Here the walk dips down first then heads up the hill going all the way to the top where it winds it way up the hill to the right. (There is another path which cuts across here – it is shorter but quite steep). Take time to have a minute and admire the beautiful Derbyshire scenery. At the top cross the wall and we head right before bending left, past a little seating area on your left. Follow this road back into Pilsley and back to your car or another pint at the pub! DETAILS :: DETAILS :: DETAILS Parking: There is plenty of parking on the in Pilsley, but please be mindful of the resedents. Pubs: The Devonshire Arms, Chatsworth Farm Shop & there are a few pubs, restaurants & cafe’s in Baslow just a mile away. Distance: 4.2mls / 6.75km Time: Approx 2hrs Terrain: A bit of everything, paths, road, tracks, fields, & mud! 00
