Sheldon ramble
5 February 2023
Sheldon Walk, 5th February 2023
We return to the Peak District for this varied and interesting 11 mile walk from Rowsley to Ashford-in-the-Water, via Over Haddon and Sheldon. This includes several spectacular views. It also passes several historic sites, including Haddon Hall and the ruins of the Magpie Mine. Slightly more undulating than the last two walks!
We begin our ramble at Rowsley, where toilets are available. After a short walk through the village, we gradually climb towards Rowsley Moor, with long views along the beautiful Wye Valley. We then descend to Bowling Green Farm and the edge of the Haddon Hall estate. Descending further, we pass the ornamental entrance to an old railway tunnel. We turn sharp left towards the A6 road and the Haddon Hall car park, crossing the River Wye. On our right you can easily make out the humps and bumps of the abandoned medieval village of Nether Haddon in the field beyond the main road.
At the car park, we cross the main road and begin our ascent towards Over Haddon. Looking back, we should get good views of Haddon Hall nestling in the valley below. Gradually, the views of the Wye Valley recede as we ascend above Lathkill Dale to the pretty village of Over Haddon. Here, we have our main break of the day. Public toilets and a pub are available in the village – as well as outdoor picnic tables, if the weather is mild enough for us to use them! Amongst other things, Over Haddon is famous for its short-lived gold rush of 1854 and is the birthplace of Sir Maurice Oldfield, formerly head of MI6 during the Cold War.
Our walk continues through the western end of the village, before crossing fields past Melbourne Farm. We pass the imposing Bole Hill to our left, which is 356 metres above sea level. Adjacent to the hill, we traverse a tree-lined field, once the site of a lead mine. We come almost immediately to the most spectacular viewpoint of the whole walk, a panoramic view towards Buxton, with the Magpie Mine and the village of Sheldon in the near distance below us. Crossing a minor road we ascend a short trackway before crossing fields past the Magpie Mine to Sheldon. Here, we shall have our second break of the day. There is a pub here too, just in case we need to thaw out!
From Sheldon it is a relatively short walk to the finish at Ashford-in-the-Water. We follow the road running east out of Sheldon for a short distance before crossing fields above Little Shacklow Wood. We are now back in the Wye Valley, where we eventually cross the A6 road again. Shortly afterwards we cross the river by the beautiful old packhorse bridge and enter Ashford village. Our coach should be waiting for us just beyond the bridge and close to the church. Again, there is a pub here – just in case we need defrosting or refreshments.
The coach will leave Ashford at 4:30pm for the journey home. In the event of us reaching the end of the walk early, we may bring the departure time forward.
Coach Departure
The coach picks up at the following points. No need to book. Coach Fare £12
(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 |
All rambles finish no later than 6.30 pm.
