A: Darley Bridge, Matlock, Riber, Cromford, Bonsall & Wensley 11.5 ml
Done: 16/04/1997 (Howie), 16/01/2002 (Ian Howie)
Coordinator: Tim Taylor
Start: Darley Br picnic area SK270624
Pub: Kings Head, Bonsall good, welcomed, nice beer
Maps: 1:25,000: White Peak E
Notes A-E from recce 1st Sept 2023 as unable to coordinate on the day. A is temporary, B-E are clarifications
AM Route : (7.75 mi) Rd S over br; rd/fps SEly on W side of Derwent
[A. Temporary Works by Matlock Bridge. Footpath closed signs at exit onto A6 at 292 604. I met some folk coming the other way who said it was passable. Just before Matlock Bridge sections of 2m high interlinked fencing has been placed across the path, you get get round by scrambling higher up the bank. This leads shortly to further fencing, with a gate signed ‘authorised personnel only’, proceed through this into the site area and exit via a similar gate directly opposite, the construction blokes very kindly pointed me to the exit. Alternative is to walk down the A6 for half a Km, unclear what happens at the construction site end.]
to Matlock Bridge 298602; over br & SSEly by Park
[B. The GR 200589 is clearly inaccurate. Anyway, at 300 598 I chose to take the anti-clockwise paths around the war memorial to 300 596. At the end of Hall Leys park, turn right over small wooden bridge (signs Pic Tor) and right again to regain riverbank, follow signs war memorial until that branches left up hill (optional visit to WM), continue Ely to road 300 596. More interesting than picking up the road at the end of the park.Right at road - (Duke William pub opposite left across road), and after 1/4mi take FP on left between schools, continue uphill to Riber Castle, private and another building site, no view (not impressed) …]
& rd up thro Old Matlock to 200589; fp Ely steeply up to Riber Castle; lns/fps Sly by Hearthstone Fm, Bilberry Knoll to fp junction 311575; fp/rd/park/rds Wly down
[C. Took unsigned path through metal gate just beyond Wiilersley Church under crag (looks chossy - did we really rate those routes!) at end cut back left to cross A6, otherwise stay on the road]
& thro Cromford to 294570; fps/lane NWly (not as on map due to quarrying, probably line of bridle path) up & over to Bonsall, Kings Head
PM. Route : (3.75 mi) Lst Way Wly/Nly steeply to Upper Town & to fp junction 271588;
[D. Take road past Scarthin Books and at crest of road took path up behind houses. Shortly after took footpath sign back right, then back left uphill above hillside mansion to join wider quarry-side track at approx 289513, however, may be more straight forward to take quarry-side track from a little further up the via gellia at 291571.]
fps NNWly down to rd Wensley 264612;
[E. Kings Head in Bonsall doesn’t open until 4:00pm. So had a very good pint in the Three Stags Heads on right on way through Darley Bridge near end of walk. I reached this by taking the right footpath fork at 266 605, the GR quoted for Wensley and description after that made no sense. From 266 605, take rh fp, continue E of Field Farm, cross road to between church and school, main rd through Darley Bridge, Three Stags Heads on rhs of road, good beer, friendly reception.]
fp/informal fps (by serendipity) NEly to rd 269620; rds Ely to Darley Br & Nly to cars
B: Darley Bridge, Winster 8.8 ml 1193 ft
Done: 25/05/2022
Start: Darley Br picnic area SK270624
Pub: Miners’s Standard, Winster SK274603
Maps: White Peak E
Route AM 5.7mi: Rd S, cross river, SE/S along Heritage Way to 281608. Fp W to Rd, where S to Snitterton. Fp S/SW via Leewold Farm, Leawood Cottage to rd 271592. Trk SW (Moorlands Lane) to 266590. Fp NW on Limestone Way via Luntor Rocks to Winster, where rd SW to pub.
Route PM 3.1mi: Rd/fp N, across Elton Rd, to 240609. NE to Clough Lane, E to Darley Bridge and cars.