Cordwell to Cutthorpe Circular

The Sutton-in-Ashfield Rambling Club continue their wide ranging winter programme with an 8.5 mile circular walk in an area to the west of Chesterfield on the fringes of the Peak District. There will be some interesting historical features en route and also some tempting real ale pubs to visit.

As always the club are very pleased to welcome new members. There should be the usual shorter route option available.

The ramble will start near the Royal Oak pub at Millthorpe going down Millthorpe Lane. We head north across several fields and pass over a footbridge to Cartledg and soon reach Cartledge Hall. The present building is believed to date from 1492. The current hall has oak panelled walls and ornate plaster ceilings dating from the 1600”s. We then move south east along a bridleway past Great Brind Wood The name means “burnt wood” and refers to the charcoal burning activities carried out from Roman times.

We then follow a path down the edge of the wood past fishing lakes and eventually reach a bridleway leading us to the main road through Common Side. We then turn right along Valley Road towards the Tickled Trout pub, then by Laburnum Cottage past the Hare and Hounds.

Now heading south east we follow paths and walls with the distinctive Chesterfield Cathedral spire in the distance We then after crossing more fields emerge onto the road to Cutthorpe. Turning right up the hill to possibly visit the Peacock pub. Then through woods and fields dropping down to the road just above the Ranger Base with toilets and information point above the attractive Linacre Reservoir. Heading slightly north westwards from this point following a bridleway I to Pratthall This building dates from the 17th century, an older section is part of Pratthall Farm With three remaining sets of cruck timbers it was used as a dwelling and stable until the mid 1600”s. From here the route continues north up the hill to the Gate Inn pub. Then following a lane and then bridleway past Oxton Rakes Farm and after a number of footpaths to the bottom of the quaintly named Rumbling Street settlement. This originates from Roman times when it was built to transport lead ore to Chesterfield. The name may be derived from the noise of passing traffic?

We finish this ramble with a difference by taking tracks through two fords, onto Mill Lane and arriving back at the Royal Oak for a coach departure home between 4.30 and 5.00pm (Text by John Price).