DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE

AND THE

PEAK DISTRICT

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KIRK IRETON WALK

 THE WALK

An easy walk with impressive views, mainly over fields and along quiet country lanes to Carsington Water, where the walk along the banks of the reservoir may be extended dependent on the available time.

 

The walk passes the village on the north side and continues through fields, before descending Oldfield Lane and continuing close to the edge of Carsington Water.

 

Although only opened in 1992, the reservoir seems to fit into the environment as if it had always been a permanent fixture. With over a million visitors every year, it provides a lot of pleasure for a wide range of people. The majority come to enjoy the scenery and to relax, but for those who enjoy something more challenging they can go wind surfing, or take a two-day powerboat course.

 

It is not just humans who are attracted to Carsington Water, with an increasing number of birds visiting every year, and wildlife in general thriving as a result of the tree planting and conservation programme.

 

The return journey takes you up Hays Lane and over a series of fields past Town End Farm back to Kirk Ireton.

 

 

 

WALK DETAILS

 

Length:   4.5 miles. 

 

Start/finish:   Park in the village, or at Millfields on the southern end of Carsington Water.    

 

Location:   Off B5023 Duffield to Wirksworth road, second left after Idridgehay Church. Alternatively, use the car park at Millfields, at the southern end of Carsington Water and join the walk at point number 9.

 

Terrain:   Mainly flat easy walking along well marked paths and country lanes.

 

 

 

 THE ROUTE

 

1.      Walk down the village street and turn left by the church along Wirksworth Road, and turn left at a field stile just past the churchyard.

 

2.      Cross the field keeping close to the wire fence on the left, continuing in the same direction over a narrow field and two more fields.

 

3.      In the next field continue in the same direction and go through a gap between some holly bushes, over another stile to join a short path leading to a road.

 

4.      Turn left down the road and in about 50 yards take the footpath on the right almost directly opposite Harding’s Close.

 

5.      After going down a narrow fenced path, angle slightly to the right over the next two fields and then continue straight ahead for a further two fields.

 

6.      Cross a stile and a concrete footbridge, turn right and follow a well-trodden path that gradually moves away from the hedge on the right to a stile leading into Oldfield Lane.

 

7.      Walk down Oldfield Lane and just before reaching Upperfield Farm, turn left at the sign for ‘Millfields’.

 

8.       Follow the path round the reservoir eventually reaching a stone building housing a small exhibition – a few yards past this building take the second road on the left (Hays Lane).

 

9.       If you have time extend the walk to Millfields, about a quarter of a mile, continue by the side of the reservoir, or to Carsington Water Visitor Centre just over a mile further on. Then re-trace your steps back to Hays Lane.

 

10.  At the ‘T’ junction at the top of Hays Lane, cross the stile on the opposite side of the road and walk straight across the field and a further very narrow field.

 

11.  In the next field, angle slightly to the right and go through a wide gap in the hedge. Continue across another field aiming for a stile in an opening between holly bushes.

 

12.   Maintain roughly the same direction, ensuring you very gradually get closer to the hedge on the right.

 

13.  Go through a stile in the corner of the field, where the hedge bends sharply to the left for a short distance.

 

14.  Turns left down the field, keep close to the hedge, before reaching a stile onto a village road, turning first left, and then right back to the start of the walk.

 

 

   

 

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PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE AREA   

 

Carsington Water Visitor Centre (Tel 01629 540696) a great place just to relax by the water’s edge, but do leave time to look round the Visitor centre with its shops and fascinating exhibition. The more adventurous can hire a sailing dinghy, or a mountain bike. Alternatively, if you have plenty of energy left, why not walk the seven miles or so round the reservoir? Open daily all year.

 

Wirksworth Heritage Centre (Tel 01629 875225) where the ‘Wirksworth Story’ is told, taking you on a fascinating journey through time on three floors of the centre. The special displays are excellent and for something different you can always try a computer game.  For opening details please ring or visit website.

 

National Stone Centre: (Tel. 01629 824833) tells the story of stone, its geological and industrial history. The exhibition inside shows how stone is used in an incredible number of ways by advanced technology. Outside the visitor centre, the quarry trail takes you back over three hundred million years. Open all year seven days a week.

 


  

REFRESHMENTS

 

Barley Mow (Tel 01335 370306) one of the few genuinely unspoilt pubs remaining in this country, housed in a handsome 17th century, Jacobean-style building. The small main bar has a tiled floor, wooden settles and a coal fire. There are two other simply furnished rooms, but no fruit machines or piped music to disturb the art of good conversation. Filled rolls available at lunchtimes. Accommodation. Outside seating. Open lunchtime and evenings.  

 

Carsington Water Tea Rooms (Tel 01629 540363) there is a restaurant and tea rooms on the first floor of the Visitor Centre and an outdoor food facility in the Courtyard. Open daily all year.

 


 

THE DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE AND THE PEAK DISTRICT GUIDE

 

Provides a wide range of features  with heritage trails and detailed countryside walks, through some of the most scenically attractive countryside in the UK.

 

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DISCOVER DERBY

A special new sub-section has been added to this website, based on the Discover Derby Supplement, published by the Derby Evening Telegraph during March 2005. The most recent additions are:

 Click below for details.

Discover Derby


 

 


 

KIRK IRETON FEATURE

 

A charming old world village which climbs steeply out of the Ecclesbourne Valley rising to about 850 feet at the upper end, and looking down over miles of lovely countryside. Kirk Ireton’s wide main street used to be flanked by large farmhouses, but most of these have now been converted to residential use.

 

Several interesting little roads lead off to the left as you climb the main street, with houses seemingly perched on every level bit of ground.

Kirk Ireton Feature

 


KIRK IRETON - BYGONE DAYS

An interesting collection of old photographs and information.

Kirk Ireton Bygone Days

 


 

 

All details on this page were correct at the time of publication, but changes may be made without notification.