DISCOVER DERBYSHIRE

AND THE

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BEELEY WALK

THE WALK

A lovely scenic walk that after leaving Beeley explores the woods high above Chatsworth House, where there are stunning views across the park from the Hunting Tower. After passing close to the House you return along the banks of the River Derwent through Chatsworth Park.

 

From Beeley the path climbs up to Beeley Hilltop Farm and then across the bracken clad hillside on the edge of Beeley Moor, to follow a woodland track high above Chatsworth House and gardens.

 

After passing both the Swiss Lake and the Emperor Lake, you arrive at the Hunting Tower. Elizabethan in construction, it has the most wonderful views over Chatsworth Estate and was used by the ladies of the house to view the hunt when it took place in the park below. The cannon at the base of the house came from a ship that fought at the battle of Trafalgar.

 

Queen Mary’s Bower was a favourite place of relaxation for Mary Queen of Scots when she was held captive at Chatsworth. Her coat of arms can be seen over the gateway.

 

The view of the house and gardens as you walk across the park is unforgettable, even if the Emperor Fountain is not sending up jets of water nearly 300 feet high.

WALK DETAILS

Length:     5.25 miles.

Start/Finish:     Calton Lees Car Park.

Location:     Leave the A6 south of Bakewell to join the B6012 to Chatsworth. The car park is on the left 200 yards after crossing the bridge into the estate.

Terrain:     One long steady ascent and descent, otherwise easy walking.

THE ROUTE

1.    From Calton Lees car park walk towards the entrance to the Garden Centre, but just before reaching it turn left on a woodland path leading down to the road.

2.    Cross the bridge and immediately turn right to walk diagonally for three quarters of a mile across a long field to Beeley village.

3.    Go over the B6012, up the lane passed the church, and turn left. Within 30 yards take the stile on the right.

4.    Walk up a short field to another stile and in the next field continue straight ahead to the far left hand top corner to go through a stile.

5.    Cross the next field diagonally to a stile about 20 yards in from the top left hand corner.

6.    Continue across the next field diagonally to a gate and walk along the track towards Beeley Hilltop Farm with the wall close on the right.

7.    Follow the track as it swings to the right round the farm buildings, where you turn left to a stile by a tyre dump on the right.

8.    Once over the stile turn left and within a few yards go over another stile onto the lane leading up to Beeley Moor.

9.    Go right, and almost immediately left, over a stone step stile angling to the right across a field to another stile leading along bracken covered hillside.

10.   Follow the path up the hillside, keeping to the left at the top to go over a stone stile by a gate onto a woodland track.

11.   Continue along the track, keeping straight on at a track crossing point signed ’Robin Hood’.

12.   The track bends first to the right, and then to the left, before eventually passing Swiss Lake and the northern tip of Emperor Lake. 

13.   On reaching an electricity pole turn left down a partly grassed track. In about 100 yards the Hunting Tower is passed on the right and a short flight of steps descended to a service road.

14.   Turn left and within a few yards start descending a long series of steps on the right.

15.   At the bottom of the steps, turn right onto a woodland track, passing an adventure playground on the left, to reach a stile by a white gate into a field.

16.   Follow the field round to the right to another stile and then go to the left to join a parkland road and head towards Chatsworth House.

17.   Follow the path close to the drive to Chatsworth House and leave by the bridge over the River Derwent. Turn left to walk along the banks of the river until the ruins of an old mill are reached; then turn right, back to the main road through the estate.

18.   On joining the road turn left, and follow the sign back to the car park.

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PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE LOCALITY

 

Chatsworth House and gardens (Tel. 01246 582204) stands in a deer park designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century with hills and woods. Visitors are free to wander in the magnificent parklands. Shop and restaurant facilities available. For full details of Chatsworth House, click here.

 

Chatsworth Garden Centre (Tel. 01629 734004)  well stocked with garden plants and furniture and is very popular with visitors. There is a large gift shop and café. Open daily throughout the year.

 

Edensor, a delightful estate village where the houses have been built in a variety of architectural styles that add to the appeal of what must be one of the most beautiful villages in England. Members of the Cavendish Family lie buried in the churchyard, as does Kathleen Kennedy, sister of the former President of the USA.

 


 

REFRESHMENTS

 

Devonshire Arms (Tel. 01629 733259) formerly three separate cottages before its conversion in 1747 to a coaching inn. It boasts some celebrated patrons, as the writer Charles Dickens and King Edward VII both stayed at the inn. Bar meals are available daily.  Open for food seven days a week.

 

Chatsworth Tea Rooms (Tel. 01246 582204) situated in the former stables to Chatsworth House that have been converted into a very impressive restaurant, tea rooms and shop complex. There is a wide range of food and drink available and walkers are very welcome. Open daily from 10.15am when the house is open to the public.

 


 

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

 


 

 

 


 

BEELEY  FEATURE

 

Anyone compiling a list of the most picturesque villages in Derbyshire would have to include Beeley. It is a pretty, unspoilt village sheltered by Beeley Moor with wonderful views in all directions. 

 

What makes the village so beautiful is that almost all the farm and domestic buildings are built from the same honey coloured sandstone, quarried locally close to Fallinge Edge. 

 

The local stone quarries once gave employment to a large number of men. The two quarries at Bruntwood produced stone not only of good appearance, but also of such hardwearing quality that it was used in many of the principal buildings in Manchester. 

 

 

Beeley Feature

 


 

 

 

SPECIAL FEATURES

Chatsworth

Chatsworth Events

Farmyard and Adventure Playground

Edensor

Pilsley

 

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