Our walk on this day is approximately 11 miles long, beginning at Eyam. The coach will drop us off at the carpark where there are toilets. Walking through the historic village we’ll see various plaques and information boards telling of the plague which struck here in 1665/66 and the tragic consequences. We continue up past the Riley Graves and there are views towards Coombs Dale on our right.
The path enters a woodland area before joining New Road, where we cross and take a footpath down to Stoney Middleton. We’ll pass the warm spring (feel it!) which emerges and the Roman Baths. In the 18th century attempts to make Stoney Middleton a spa town did not succeed and the bath house fell into disrepair. Years later It was repaired and is a listed building. The boot maker William Lennon & Co in the village has a proud history and is the only traditional manufacturer of heavy duty boots left in the UK.
After crossing the main road we take the footpath from alongside the Moon Inn, which leads us along to the beginning of Coombs Dale. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to a wide variety of plants and creatures such as butterflies and moths as well as birds and others. Hopefully we’ll be treated to seeing spring flowers, including wild orchids. The path goes steadily uphill through Coombs Dale and Rough Side where evidence of the mining of lead and fluorspar in bygone years can be seen, bringing us to Black Harry Gate. We’ll have a 20 minute break here. It is said that during the 18th century the notorious highwayman Black Harry would rob travellers as they passed by, until he was caught and met a grisly end at the gallows in nearby Wardlow Mires.
We continue along the track around Blakedon Hollow which was constructed to deal with waste from mining processes and built on the site of the demolished Black Harry Farm. Just as we might feel ready for a change of scenery, we’ll reach the top of a rise and be delighted by the wonderful views which open up all around us. Then on to Longstone Moor. Please observe the signs about keeping to the footpaths as there are disused mineshafts in the area. Longstone Moor is a limestone heath area with a lovely variety of both acid and limestone soil plants, like heather and bilberry as well as mountain pansy and leadwort. Listen out for the skylarks overhead, filling the air with their song and see them dart down into the heather. Great crested newts are also found here. When we reach the cairn at the highest point on the moor we’ll have another break, giving us time to admire the fabulous views all around us, including Wardlow Hay Cop to the west, Eyam Edge and others to the north, High Rake to the east and a great view southwards too.
Moving on, we head back across the moor and down through Black Plantation. You may spot the bilberry plant growing on top of a stout wooden gatepost as we pass through! We go along a permissive footpath to Moor Lane and on to beautiful Longstone Edge. There are spring flowers studding the grass like jewels and on my recce I was treated to a magnificent flying display by a Red Kite. We’ll see Monsal Head and Dale to our right, and the villages of Great and Little Longstone, the hamlet of Rowland and further afield towards Bakewell and beyond.
Turning upwards towards our left, the route goes across fields to Bleaklow Farm. It’s worth looking back to admire the view from here. Onwards then passing by High Rake quarry where we can look for the deep gash in the earth as we pass nearby, we’ll turn left to follow the path around the shoulder of Calver Peak. Along here we’ll see over towards Coombs Dale from a different angle. Impressive views towards Eyam and the Edges open up as we make our way down to Calver village.
It is a beautiful village with lovely stone buildings and quirky lanes to admire as we walk through and onto a footpath by the village hall, through a field to reach the River Derwent. We’ll see a caravan park across the river and walk a short way to go through the subway under the main road to reach Calver Bridge and the welcoming delights of the Bridge Inn. Our coach will be in the lay-by just along from the Inn, leaving for home at 5.45pm. (text by Julie Woodhouse).
We welcome new walkers to the club. You can sample two walks before you need to become a member. There is no need to book, just go to one of the coach stops listed below. If it’s your first walk with us the coach fare is free.
Coach Departure
The coach picks up at the following points.
(With the agreement of the leader other pick-up points
on the bus route may be available).
| “Staff of Life” pub, Hack Lane |
Sutton-in-Ashfield |
9.15am |
| Priestic Road, opp McDonald’s |
Sutton-in-Ashfield |
9.20am |
| Eastfield Side, (Blue Bell) |
Sutton-in-Ashfield |
9.22am |
| Hermitage Lane stop, Sutton Road |
Mansfield |
9.25am |
| ASDA bus stop. Stockwell Gate. |
Mansfield |
9.30am |
