Totley walk

Today’s adventure is a 12-mile circular walk from Millthorpe, exploring the wild, isolated and beautiful uplands of Totley Moor and Big Moor. The inhospitable nature of this area means that many ancient remains, such as field systems, stone structures, mounds and packhorse trails remain relatively untouched. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife including deer, curlew, buzzard, merlin and snipe.

    This is the first day of Greenwich Mean Time, as the clocks will have gone forward an hour the previous evening. Please bring along an food and drink you may need for the day, as no facilities are available during the walk.

     Our walk begins at the tiny village of Millthorpe. We proceed along a trackway called Grimsell Lane, through pretty farmland to Holmesfield Common. Crossing the B6054, we continue via Hob Lane and by Park Wood to Owler Lee. Passing Woodthorpe Hall, we descend to Totley Brook and then climb to the village of Totley. We pass Totley Hall, parts of which which date back to at least 1623.

     After crossing the A621 we descend to Needham’s Dike, where we turn west and begin our climb onto Totley Moor. We pass through a number of old spoil heaps, relics of the construction of Totley railway tunnel, which is beneath our feet. We pass closely by the top of one of its ventilation shafts. Looking back along this stretch, we should see a panoramic view of Sheffield, far below us in the distance.

    Eventually, we reach Wimble Holme Hill, before turning south along Brown Edge and Flask Edge. Near Saltersitch Bridge, we cross the B6054 again, and on to Big Moor. We pass the remains of a stone circle before reaching the abandoned remains of Barbrook Reservoir, which once supplied water to Chesterfield. This is now a nature reserve.

    We then follow the Bar Brook down a very pretty valley, with Big Moor to our right and Ramsley Moor to our left. We pass Little Barbrook Reservoir, ancient field systems and another stone circle before crossing the A621 again near Ramsley Lodge. We pass the derelict Ramsley Reservoir and proceed along a quiet country lane towards Bole Hill. We then descend slowly down a beautiful valley on the eastern edge of Ramsley Moor, through the Foxlade Plantation and along Hewetts Bank to Car Road. We follow Millthorpe Brook through pretty woodland to Ewethorpe Bridge.

Here, there is an option to take a short cut back to Millthorpe along Cordwell Lane. The main walk will take a footpath up the hillside to Unthank Hall. Turning east, we follow another quiet country lane for a short distance. We then join a footpath which descends gently to the south end of Millthorpe. We pass a ford on the final approach to Millthorpe, ideal for cleaning muddy boots. The Royal Oak pub awaits us in the village.

   Our coach will leave from near the Royal Oak pub in Millthorpe at 5:30pm for the relatively short journey home.

We are keen to welcome new walkers. There is no need to pre-book, just turn up at one of the below listed coach pick-ups. Fare is only £12.

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