Walk Derbyshire – Beeley Moor & Chatsworth
This is one of the places you may have driven past in recent years, seen the usual ice cream van and lots of cars but thought “I wonder what they are doing.” We have thought this and then carried our drive down the hill in to Beeley and onto Chatsworth for our usual walks. (Sadly the road down into Beeley is closed and has been for some time so this is no longer a cut through). Here on the corner of Beeley Lane / Chesterfield Road you will see cars, always have and always will. When you try this walk you will wonder why you hadn’t been before. It is beautiful with panoramic views of the moorland and down into Beeley past a river and small waterfalls. Our children would come here on their residential school trips and they actually let them have fun(!) and play sliding down the slope into the river.
This walk takes in hills, roads and fields and makes a lovelyafternoon out. Remember to take some water and food as you will only pass the pub in Beeley if you happen to stay on the long route. (It is worth it for that!). Parking is free along the roadside but be mindful of not blocking the road for emergency services.
THE WALK
We start the walk from the corner of Beeley Lane where all the cars are usually parked. At the stone wall on the left you will see a little gap and we head through there and slowly amble down.
We head to the bottom of the path and you will see that you can go left or right. We head left here and start to head into the woods.
From here a little way down again, you will see a route taking you either left or turning right. We want to head right and start to go down the path. You will know you are on the right path if after a little while you see the river on your right hand side. Many times we’ve had fun having a paddle in this water or even the children deciding they would try to walk through that path instead of the more sensible one we were on. Why not – you are only young once. So here is really pretty. Don’t rush but enjoy the lovely water views and the pretty trees on your left. It is quite a straight forward route so no getting lost – unless you want to. The trees at the bottom are quite magical.
Eventually you will hit where the river crosses the footpath – in the summer this is perfect as you can just hop across. However, if you come after much rainfall, this becomes really slippery and shimmying across a log or hopping over the stepping stones provides much fun – especially when your nephew takes an epic fall for the team.
Continue down the path in front of you and when you open the gate you have two choices – one is to immediately turn up the road to the right and basically head back on yourself but going up the road so a different route. If you just want a shorter walk that is pretty then this is for you.
However, we are heading straight down and we come out at Beeley. This is a gorgeous little village with the houses painted in the Chatsworth Estate blue. It is one of those villages that you just want to live in and enjoy peaceful afternoons pottering in the garden. (Maybe that’s just me!)
Head through the village and you can continue to The Devonshire Arms for a swift pint. They do have a beer garden to the left hand side. Or there is the Old Smithy cafe too.
After a refreshing drink and a packet of crisps – time to head back out and finish the walk. We are over half way at this point. We head out of the pub and go slight right past the houses immediately in front of you up Chapel Hill. We pass a kids play park on your left hand side and the Old Smithy on your right.
When we get to the top of this road there are a couple of chocolate box cottages in front of you – take your pick for your dream house.
You will see a footpath heading up a hill on your right hand side. The last time we did this walk there was a horse in the field but it was not in the slightest bit interested in us so don’t worry! Now it gets fun! Head up the hill and through a little gate. This is a steep hill so take your time. When you get to the top – take a breather and look back at the amazing view.
We head up the hill and follow the footpath diagonaly all the way up to the farm.
The footpath heads through the farmers track only for a short while but sometimes the cows are out. No don’t worry – these are the most well kept cows and during the winter they are in the barns, they have opera music playing and fish in their water to keep them entertained. Go through the farmers gate and after about 100 feet you will see a footpath sign on your right. Head through the small field and back out onto the track.
Go straight over the track and off up a steep incline that takes you though some amazing ferns. Once at the top, you’ll come out at a track where we go right. But make sure you stop and admire the amazing views first.
Now we follow the track all the way and it is a long way. Just take lots of rests it isn’t a hard walk at this point but a meander up hill. Eventually, you will come back to a part you recognise to be the beginning of the walk. And when you catch sight of your car – depending on the weather – you will be elated!
