short flight of steps on to an old lane. old an to on steps of flight short
map. the on A POINT is This alleyway between No's 34 and 36, this leads you to a a to you leads this 36, and 34 No's between alleyway ound. ar
post on your right, indicating a footpath to your left. left. your to footpath a indicating right, your on post n left up a small small a up left n ur T bungalows. some alongside e ar you om miles miles om fr visible e ar and wind, the ness har to continue
ds, looking out for a finger finger a for out looking ds, yar 275 about for eservoir r oad junctions to the left. Continue until until Continue left. the to junctions oad r two ignoring urbines that that urbines T ind W the notice to fail can't you oday T
ound the the ound ar track this Follow . ater W Carsington ound ar e and head slightly downhill, downhill, slightly head and e her left n ur T Drive. fe okeclif Y e. e. her worked once that windmill old an of emains r the e ar
n left onto the surfaced track track surfaced the onto left n tur and fast, and busy be oad called called oad r a onto leads that gate wicket a to n bar stone o your left, in the adjacent field, field, adjacent the in left, your o T . activity mining lead historic
fields. In the bottom field the path passes to the left of a a of left the to passes path the field bottom the In fields. e, it can can it e, car with oss Cr oad. r main the to down it follow eveals evidence of of evidence eveals r landscape pitted Its e. Pastur Carsington
8
ossing a number of of number a ossing cr downhill, heads footpath The oute on the right, and and right, the on oute r waymarked ent r T n Sever the for This is is This opposite. field large the enter and fic) traf fast for
ds the end of Hopton village, look out out look village, Hopton of end the ds owar T . by pass you (look out out (look oad r the over oss cr and stiles step stone old the
. . further e explor to wish you should pubs, and shops op Season, Hopton Hall is well worth a detour as as detour a worth well is Hall Hopton Season, op Snowdr e, climb over over climb e, car ith W oute. r your of stage next the indicates
irksworth has amenities such as cafés, cafés, as such amenities has irksworth W . below valley the e walking during during walking e ar you If vehicles. passing for out watch soon. A fingerpost on your left, signposted to Carsington, Carsington, to signposted left, your on fingerpost A soon.
irksworth nestling in in nestling irksworth W of views superb e ar e ther e her om Fr
oad is generally quiet, quiet, generally is oad r this Although Hopton. to on rail very very rail T Peak High the leaving be will you because gate,
n left over a stile opposite a wooden bench. bench. wooden a opposite stile a over left n tur summit the
ough Carsington and then then and Carsington ough thr it follow and oad, r main the
oad. Don't go too far beyond the last last the beyond far too go Don't oad. r access works a of
5 , ignoring a stile on the left. At At left. the on stile a ignoring , ower narr gets it as right the
n left onto onto left n tur oute, r shorter the following e ar you If
ough another pair of gates either side side either gates of pair another ough thr go ds, afterwar
your right that goes up a wide track. Follow the track to to track the Follow track. wide a up goes that right your Carsington to Hopton to Carsington
s cottage and outbuildings. Shortly Shortly outbuildings. and cottage s Man’ Engine old the
ectly opposite, look for the footpath on on footpath the for look opposite, ectly dir footpath the
3
ough a gate, and past past and gate, a ough thr go incline the of top the At
7 e e ignor left, your on Hall ough Stainsbor passing After
Carsington village. Carsington
down the steps onto a surfaced drive that brings you into into you brings that drive surfaced a onto steps the down om the driver! the om fr skill of amount large a took also It
fic. fic. traf for out watching
n left left n ur T . way of right public a is it den, gar private a be to e able to tackle under their own steam. steam. own their under tackle to able e wer locomotives
6
oad, and follow it downhill whilst whilst downhill it follow and oad, r the onto left n ur T
wooden gate at the side of the cottage into what appears appears what into cottage the of side the at gate wooden was one of the steepest gradients in the British Isles that that Isles British the in gradients steepest the of one was
ough the the ough thr Pass hillside. the of bottom the at you below When the Railway was still working, at 1 in 14 this incline incline this 14 in 1 at working, still was Railway the When
o Lane. Lane. o Stainsbr
path down the hillside, aiming to the left of the cottage cottage the of left the to aiming hillside, the down path ou will soon begin to walk up Hopton Incline. Incline. Hopton up walk to begin soon will ou Y . Quarry ood W
e is a wicket gate onto onto gate wicket a is e ther e wher field the of ner cor far
n n well-wor the follow e ther om Fr post. waymarker the for ed a winding engine on an old branch line to Hopton Hopton to line branch old an on engine winding a ed power
est bear left to the the to left bear est cr the at and field next the up Continue
n right and head down the hillside aiming aiming hillside the down head and right n tur point this At
emains of an old boiler on your left that once once that left your on boiler old an of emains r the for out ner of the following field. field. following the of ner cor the in ee tr Holly the to ahead
After the tunnel, look look tunnel, the After long. ds yar 113 is which - unnel T oss the field. At the field boundary continue to climb climb to continue boundary field the At field. the oss acr
conditions. wet in ficult dif be can and
osses the trail, you will soon enter Hopton Hopton enter soon will you trail, the osses cr that track POINT A POINT Climb over the stile and follow the footpath footpath the follow and stile the over Climb
etch. It is very steep, steep, very is It etch. str next the on eful car be Please 2 ough ough r a over and gates of pair a ough thr passing After
finger post on your left, indicating a footpath to your right. your to footpath a indicating left, your on post finger
each the woodland at the far end. far the at woodland the each r ong way! ong wr the gone you've incline, steep the down going on your map. Look for a a for Look map. your on A POINT each r you until eservoir r
, and soon soon and , Chair King's the as known op outcr ock r a past rail. If you start start you If rail. T Peak High the along House Engine and ound the the ound ar waymarking ater W ent r T n Sever the follow
1
ou will walk walk will ou Y e. pastur the of top the along walk left, your e e Centr isitor V the om fr away heading by walk your Start n right, keeping the water to your left, and and left, your to water the keeping right, n ur T . ater W
Still keep the wall to to wall the keep Still right. your on below down ater W ound Carsington Carsington ound ar oute r cular cir the is This fast. and
ou will soon have your first view of Carsington Carsington of view first your have soon will ou Y you. oute. r long the for hours e, it can be busy busy be can it e, car with oss Cr oad. r main the to down
of the field, bear left while still keeping the wall close to to close wall the keeping still while left bear field, the of oute, 5 to 6 6 to 5 oute, r short the for hours 4 to 3 Allow ea. ar ectly ahead of you. This takes you you takes This you. of ahead ectly dir track the follow again,
field, watching out for capped mine shafts. At the head head the At shafts. mine capped for out watching field, ns right right ns tur it When incline. slight a up right sharp ns tur ounding ounding surr the and Wirksworth ound ar walks follow
4 oad soon soon oad r The house. public Arms Miners the behind oad r Keep the stone wall to your left, and walk up the the up walk and left, your to wall stone the Keep This walk is one of a series of waymarked and easy to to easy and waymarked of series a of one is walk This
challenging 8 miles to your walk) take the right fork on the the on fork right the take walk) your to miles 8 challenging
ater (adding a further further a (adding ater W Carsington ound ar continue o T
ater W Carsington to ge Villa Carsington
orth w s Wirk
on the High Peak Trail, wind turbines from Hopton Bottom. Hopton from turbines wind Trail, Peak High the on
Remains of the Hopton Wood boiler, Hopton Tunnel Hopton boiler, Wood Hopton the of Remains left: rom F op to to op T ton Middle
orth w s Wirk ound Ar
4 s s alk W cuit Cir
Follow the Countryside Code Walking Around Wirksworth Circuit Walks Respect, Protect, Enjoy! With a fascinating history, and a maze of back 4 Respect other people: streets to explore, Wirksworth is a thriving, vibrant • consider the local and welcoming place to live and visit. There are Around Wirksworth community and other plenty of cafés, coffee shops and pubs to help people enjoying the revive the weary walker. Middleton Top - Carsington outdoors • leave gates and property The paths on this route may be Water - Wirksworth - as you find them and follow rough and muddy at times, so be Middleton Top paths, unless wider access is available prepared and wear appropriate Protect the natural environment: footwear. The route should be easy 7.5 or 15.5 miles • leave no trace of your visit and take your to follow, and is waymarked with Greenhill, Wirksworth litter home "Circuit Walks around Wirksworth" discs. • keep dogs under effective control Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map No.24 Enjoy the outdoors: is recommended to enhance your walk. • plan ahead and be prepared • follow advice and local signs How to Find Middleton Top www.gov.uk/government/publications/ Middleton Top is easily accessed from the B5035 the-countryside-code between Wirksworth and Ashbourne. Look out for the brown tourist signs. There is ample pay and Cycle Hire display parking on site, as well as toilet facilities and Do you prefer to cycle a seasonal shop selling refreshments and drinks. rather than walk? Visit our Cycle Hire Centre at Public Transport traveline Middleton Top. The High For details on public public transport info Peak Trail offers 17.5 transport in Derbyshire, 0871 200 22 33 traffic-free miles of visit: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport_roads/ cycling through beautiful public_transport countryside, and connects with the Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/ More Information countryside/access/cycling/cycle_hire or call If you need to find out more, please contact: 01629 533294. Middleton Top on 01629 533298, or Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190. Middleton Top Engine House This Scheduled Ancient Monument contains a For information on all our Countryside Sites go to: superb pair of beam engines. Built in 1829 and www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside driven by steam, the winding engine raised and lowered waggons on the Middleton Incline of the If you have difficulty reading this leaflet, it can Cromford and High Peak railway. The Engine House is open on some weekends during the be made available in other formats. Contact summer months. Admission charges apply. Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/ countryside_sites/visitor_centres All photographs are Derbyshire County Council owned and copyright. Photographs of the route by Aidan Rumble. Revised December 2016. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/countryside
short flight of steps on to an old lane. old an to on steps of flight short
map. the on A POINT is This alleyway between No's 34 and 36, this leads you to a a to you leads this 36, and 34 No's between alleyway ound. ar
post on your right, indicating a footpath to your left. left. your to footpath a indicating right, your on post n left up a small small a up left n ur T bungalows. some alongside e ar you om miles miles om fr visible e ar and wind, the ness har to continue
ds, looking out for a finger finger a for out looking ds, yar 275 about for eservoir r oad junctions to the left. Continue until until Continue left. the to junctions oad r two ignoring urbines that that urbines T ind W the notice to fail can't you oday T
ound the the ound ar track this Follow . ater W Carsington ound ar e and head slightly downhill, downhill, slightly head and e her left n ur T Drive. fe okeclif Y e. e. her worked once that windmill old an of emains r the e ar
n left onto the surfaced track track surfaced the onto left n tur and fast, and busy be oad called called oad r a onto leads that gate wicket a to n bar stone o your left, in the adjacent field, field, adjacent the in left, your o T . activity mining lead historic
fields. In the bottom field the path passes to the left of a a of left the to passes path the field bottom the In fields. e, it can can it e, car with oss Cr oad. r main the to down it follow eveals evidence of of evidence eveals r landscape pitted Its e. Pastur Carsington
8
ossing a number of of number a ossing cr downhill, heads footpath The oute on the right, and and right, the on oute r waymarked ent r T n Sever the for This is is This opposite. field large the enter and fic) traf fast for
ds the end of Hopton village, look out out look village, Hopton of end the ds owar T . by pass you (look out out (look oad r the over oss cr and stiles step stone old the
. . further e explor to wish you should pubs, and shops op Season, Hopton Hall is well worth a detour as as detour a worth well is Hall Hopton Season, op Snowdr e, climb over over climb e, car ith W oute. r your of stage next the indicates
irksworth has amenities such as cafés, cafés, as such amenities has irksworth W . below valley the e walking during during walking e ar you If vehicles. passing for out watch soon. A fingerpost on your left, signposted to Carsington, Carsington, to signposted left, your on fingerpost A soon.
irksworth nestling in in nestling irksworth W of views superb e ar e ther e her om Fr
oad is generally quiet, quiet, generally is oad r this Although Hopton. to on rail very very rail T Peak High the leaving be will you because gate,
n left over a stile opposite a wooden bench. bench. wooden a opposite stile a over left n tur summit the
ough Carsington and then then and Carsington ough thr it follow and oad, r main the
oad. Don't go too far beyond the last last the beyond far too go Don't oad. r access works a of
5 , ignoring a stile on the left. At At left. the on stile a ignoring , ower narr gets it as right the
n left onto onto left n tur oute, r shorter the following e ar you If
ough another pair of gates either side side either gates of pair another ough thr go ds, afterwar
your right that goes up a wide track. Follow the track to to track the Follow track. wide a up goes that right your Carsington to Hopton to Carsington
s cottage and outbuildings. Shortly Shortly outbuildings. and cottage s Man’ Engine old the
ectly opposite, look for the footpath on on footpath the for look opposite, ectly dir footpath the
3
ough a gate, and past past and gate, a ough thr go incline the of top the At
7 e e ignor left, your on Hall ough Stainsbor passing After
Carsington village. Carsington
down the steps onto a surfaced drive that brings you into into you brings that drive surfaced a onto steps the down om the driver! the om fr skill of amount large a took also It
fic. fic. traf for out watching
n left left n ur T . way of right public a is it den, gar private a be to e able to tackle under their own steam. steam. own their under tackle to able e wer locomotives
6
oad, and follow it downhill whilst whilst downhill it follow and oad, r the onto left n ur T
wooden gate at the side of the cottage into what appears appears what into cottage the of side the at gate wooden was one of the steepest gradients in the British Isles that that Isles British the in gradients steepest the of one was
ough the the ough thr Pass hillside. the of bottom the at you below When the Railway was still working, at 1 in 14 this incline incline this 14 in 1 at working, still was Railway the When
o Lane. Lane. o Stainsbr
path down the hillside, aiming to the left of the cottage cottage the of left the to aiming hillside, the down path ou will soon begin to walk up Hopton Incline. Incline. Hopton up walk to begin soon will ou Y . Quarry ood W
e is a wicket gate onto onto gate wicket a is e ther e wher field the of ner cor far
n n well-wor the follow e ther om Fr post. waymarker the for ed a winding engine on an old branch line to Hopton Hopton to line branch old an on engine winding a ed power
est bear left to the the to left bear est cr the at and field next the up Continue
n right and head down the hillside aiming aiming hillside the down head and right n tur point this At
emains of an old boiler on your left that once once that left your on boiler old an of emains r the for out ner of the following field. field. following the of ner cor the in ee tr Holly the to ahead
After the tunnel, look look tunnel, the After long. ds yar 113 is which - unnel T oss the field. At the field boundary continue to climb climb to continue boundary field the At field. the oss acr
conditions. wet in ficult dif be can and
osses the trail, you will soon enter Hopton Hopton enter soon will you trail, the osses cr that track POINT A POINT Climb over the stile and follow the footpath footpath the follow and stile the over Climb
etch. It is very steep, steep, very is It etch. str next the on eful car be Please 2 ough ough r a over and gates of pair a ough thr passing After
finger post on your left, indicating a footpath to your right. your to footpath a indicating left, your on post finger
each the woodland at the far end. far the at woodland the each r ong way! ong wr the gone you've incline, steep the down going on your map. Look for a a for Look map. your on A POINT each r you until eservoir r
, and soon soon and , Chair King's the as known op outcr ock r a past rail. If you start start you If rail. T Peak High the along House Engine and ound the the ound ar waymarking ater W ent r T n Sever the follow
1
ou will walk walk will ou Y e. pastur the of top the along walk left, your e e Centr isitor V the om fr away heading by walk your Start n right, keeping the water to your left, and and left, your to water the keeping right, n ur T . ater W
Still keep the wall to to wall the keep Still right. your on below down ater W ound Carsington Carsington ound ar oute r cular cir the is This fast. and
ou will soon have your first view of Carsington Carsington of view first your have soon will ou Y you. oute. r long the for hours e, it can be busy busy be can it e, car with oss Cr oad. r main the to down
of the field, bear left while still keeping the wall close to to close wall the keeping still while left bear field, the of oute, 5 to 6 6 to 5 oute, r short the for hours 4 to 3 Allow ea. ar ectly ahead of you. This takes you you takes This you. of ahead ectly dir track the follow again,
field, watching out for capped mine shafts. At the head head the At shafts. mine capped for out watching field, ns right right ns tur it When incline. slight a up right sharp ns tur ounding ounding surr the and Wirksworth ound ar walks follow
4 oad soon soon oad r The house. public Arms Miners the behind oad r Keep the stone wall to your left, and walk up the the up walk and left, your to wall stone the Keep This walk is one of a series of waymarked and easy to to easy and waymarked of series a of one is walk This
challenging 8 miles to your walk) take the right fork on the the on fork right the take walk) your to miles 8 challenging
ater (adding a further further a (adding ater W Carsington ound ar continue o T
ater W Carsington to ge Villa Carsington
orth w s Wirk
on the High Peak Trail, wind turbines from Hopton Bottom. Hopton from turbines wind Trail, Peak High the on
Remains of the Hopton Wood boiler, Hopton Tunnel Hopton boiler, Wood Hopton the of Remains left: rom F op to to op T ton Middle
orth w s Wirk ound Ar
4 s s alk W cuit Cir
Follow the Countryside Code Walking Around Wirksworth Circuit Walks Respect, Protect, Enjoy! With a fascinating history, and a maze of back 4 Respect other people: streets to explore, Wirksworth is a thriving, vibrant • consider the local and welcoming place to live and visit. There are Around Wirksworth community and other plenty of cafés, coffee shops and pubs to help people enjoying the revive the weary walker. Middleton Top - Carsington outdoors • leave gates and property The paths on this route may be Water - Wirksworth - as you find them and follow rough and muddy at times, so be Middleton Top paths, unless wider access is available prepared and wear appropriate Protect the natural environment: footwear. The route should be easy 7.5 or 15.5 miles • leave no trace of your visit and take your to follow, and is waymarked with Greenhill, Wirksworth litter home "Circuit Walks around Wirksworth" discs. • keep dogs under effective control Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map No.24 Enjoy the outdoors: is recommended to enhance your walk. • plan ahead and be prepared • follow advice and local signs How to Find Middleton Top www.gov.uk/government/publications/ Middleton Top is easily accessed from the B5035 the-countryside-code between Wirksworth and Ashbourne. Look out for the brown tourist signs. There is ample pay and Cycle Hire display parking on site, as well as toilet facilities and Do you prefer to cycle a seasonal shop selling refreshments and drinks. rather than walk? Visit our Cycle Hire Centre at Public Transport traveline Middleton Top. The High For details on public public transport info Peak Trail offers 17.5 transport in Derbyshire, 0871 200 22 33 traffic-free miles of visit: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport_roads/ cycling through beautiful public_transport countryside, and connects with the Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/ More Information countryside/access/cycling/cycle_hire or call If you need to find out more, please contact: 01629 533294. Middleton Top on 01629 533298, or Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190. Middleton Top Engine House This Scheduled Ancient Monument contains a For information on all our Countryside Sites go to: superb pair of beam engines. Built in 1829 and www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside driven by steam, the winding engine raised and lowered waggons on the Middleton Incline of the If you have difficulty reading this leaflet, it can Cromford and High Peak railway. The Engine House is open on some weekends during the be made available in other formats. Contact summer months. Admission charges apply. Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/ countryside_sites/visitor_centres All photographs are Derbyshire County Council owned and copyright. Photographs of the route by Aidan Rumble. Revised December 2016. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/countryside Circuit Walks 4 Around Wirksworth Wirksworth to Middleton Top
Middleton To A6 Cromford 13 Pictured from left: Carsington Water from Carsington Pasture, view over the rooftops of Top Visitor 14 Wirksworth town, view down Greenhill. Centre National 1 Stone Centre
2 9 Turning right here, follow this track to eventually arrive at a surfaced road. This is West End, Wirksworth. Cross straight over onto Bowling 3 rail Green Lane, or turn right down the hill to explore the town. High Peak T Stoney 12 Returning to Middleton Top Wood If you visited the town, go back up West End until you reach Bowling 11 Green Lane on your right. If you chose not to visit the town, Bowling 10 Green Lane is opposite the track that brought you on to West End. Follow this alleyway ignoring all right turns as far as the next road, The Dale. The property opposite you now, No 31-33, was restored in 4 9 the early 1980's by the Derbyshire Historic Building Trust as part of a programme with the Civic Trust to save key buildings from dereliction. The path now goes to the left of and behind No 31-33 and rises steeply uphill. Again, ignore any side alleys and follow the main path until it levels off. Stop here to catch your breath and to take in a fine view across the town. 5 7 1 0 The large house below you is Babington House. Built in about 1630 8 as a private residence it has served as both a Workhouse and a Cottage A B5023 to Hospital. It is a private residence today. The footpath now crosses another Duffield steep road, Greenhill, where you'll turn left and then right onto a surfaced path to the left of The Croft.
1 1 The path here passes an entrance into Stoney Wood, Wirksworth's 6 Community Woodland. It is worth exploring the site with its interesting installations - such as The Star Disc, a large artwork that depicts the night sky, which is located at the very top of the site.
When you are back on the path, follow it as it drops down towards another road. Carefully cross the road to the pavement on the other side and turn right downhill. At the junction with the main road, turn to your Carsington Water left, and follow the pavement to reach Old Lane. Visitor Centre 1 2 Turn left up Old Lane, which soon becomes a wide, unsurfaced track. Follow the main track, ignoring others that branch off, under a disused railway bridge and uphill into the site of the National Stone Centre. This is a fascinating place to explore. KEY 1 Start and finish Toilets 1 3 Although not on the walk route, a few hundred metres uphill from the National Stone Centre, you will find the Derbyshire Eco Centre. Short walking route Disabled toilets This is the county hub for courses and activities focussing on education Long walking route for sustainable development. It supports Derbyshire County Council's Refreshments/snacks work to address climate change issues. It promotes creativity through Parking (Pay and (seasonal) the arts, and teaches skills to help conserve the natural world and to live healthy lifestyles. Display, Honesty Picnic area box at National Information Leaving the National Stone Centre, go uphill and follow the path Stone Centre) 14 (seasonal) just to the right of the arch of another railway bridge. This leads directly Cycle Hire to the High Peak Trail. From here, turn left and return to Middleton Top Railway station via the steep incline that soon looms into view.
Now you have explored this route try one of the others available from our Visitor Centres. There are 4 ‘Circuit Walks around © Crown copyright and database rights 2016. Ordnance Survey 100023251. Wirksworth’ leaflets in total.