Stanton Moor

The Sutton-in-Ashfield Rambling Club continue their winter programme with another attractive walk in the White Peak area. This will be a ten mile linear walk from Winster to Baslow, covering a variety of good scenery. As always the club are very pleased to welcome new members and this would be a good steady initial ramble to choose. We start near the distinctive Winster Market House, dating back to the 16th century. It was the first Derbyshire property acquired by the National Trust, costing £50. We head north along a footpath descending, and then ascending to Uppertown Farm. There are good views across to the pretty village of Birchover to which we make a steady descent. From the village we follow a slight ridge through a wooded area and then come to the focal point of the walk, Stanton Moor. En-route we pass the Cork Stone, an impressive natural outcrop that can be climbed by the brave and energetic! Then we reach the famous Nine Ladies Stone Circle, estimated to be between 3000 and 4000 years old. This is a great location for a mid- morning break as we absorb the atmosphere. We leave the Moor and drop down through Sheepwalk Wood enjoying more good views passing through Congreave and on to Rowsley village for our lunch break. There is a good choice of refreshments here with a cafe by a watermill, a pub and Peak Village, which has cafes and an outdoor shop (recently selling discounted lines). After lunch we follow the River Derwent for a while before veering off through fields to the delightful Beeley village, originally built for the employees of the Duke of Devonshire. The final section of this lovely ramble takes us along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way by Chatsworth House, and to our final destination Baslow village. There may well be time for further refreshment there before boarding our Skills coach at 5.00 pm

(see ‘programme of walks’ menu for the coach pick-up points).