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Wingerworth Countryside Circuit, Derbys

Difficulty Moderate

Walking time 1 hour 15 minutes

Length 4.2km / 2.6mi

Route developer: Basil Merry

Route checker: Stephen Rhodes

Start location The Barley Mow, Wingerworth, Derbyshire
Route Summary Another possible introductory circular walk to country walking. On the edge of Wingerworth the route passes through open countryside, woodland, and farmland. Good views, wild flowers, woodland birds and waterfowl possible en route.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

By bus: The half hourly 80 bus service runs between New Beetwell St, Chesterfield and Wingerworth. There is a stop close to The Barley Mow on Langer Lane. On Sundays the hourly 97A service applies.

By car:  There is side road parking, with care, near The Barley Mow, for those using their own transport.

Description

[1] Standing with your back to the garden entrance of The Barley Mow you can see opposite a sign posted footpath and wicket gate. Crossing the road with care go through the gate and fork left across the field. Cross a short stone slab bridge, through a wicket gate, and follow the path on the left hand side of the field. Go through a further wicket gate and turn right onto Hill Houses Lane.  Use the pavement on the far side of the road where available. Continue straight on, passing the Sheepwash on your right. At the junction of Hill Houses Lane and Pearce Lane go ahead up the old road opposite.

(A] Wingerworth Sheepwash - The village sheepwash from the 1860's to 1920 taking advantage of Tricket Brook.

[2] Take the footpath on your right as the old road narrows by Bellamare Stables and cross a bar stile. Go straight ahead - using The Lavendar Path across the field until a medium sized stone slab bridge (guarded by 2 wicket gates) is crossed.

(B) The Lavendar Path and Bill's Hill - This path is known locally as the Lavendar path, not because of the presence of lavendar, but because it was once owned by a Lady Lavendar. She lived in a house nearby which has long since been demolished. As you approach a brook crossing there is a natural grassy hill on your left now known by local children as Bill's Hill'. At the summit there is the grave of the farmer who owned this land, marked by a single stone.

Follow the paved path on the right hand side of the next field (Chapel Field). Go through a gap onto the road near Salem Methodist Chapel.

(C) Salem Methodist Chapel - The Chapel was built in 1849 by Joseph Fletcher, a colliery steward at Wingerworth Iron Works, on the only piece of land not owned by the Catholic Hunloke family. The Hunlokes were the dominant family in Wingerworth from the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, until 1920, acquiring nine-tenths of the parish and becoming lords of the manor.  

Turn right, passing a well (ie. a drinking trough), before reaching Stubbing Pond .

(D) The Great Pond of Stubbing - The pond was built as an ornamental and fishing pond by the Hunloke family. There is a well fed by overflowing waters from the pond on your right between Salem Chapel and the pond.

Go ahead on the leafy Malthouse Lane with Stubbing Pond on your right. There are no pavements on this country lane so take care. Pass the driveway and gates of Stubbing Court on your left.

Shortly you will reach a signposted squeezer stile (signed to Swathwick) on your right - this is a possible shorter alternative route. However, continue along Malthouse Lane until you reach a stone wall stile and fingerpost on your right.

(If you wish to shorten the walk a little pass through the squeezer sign posted to Swathwick and straight across a small field and over a step stile to continue on the main path into the woods. Cross a wooden bridge and, staying on this main path, up a flight of 58 steps. Fork right before the next short flight of steps and up a gentle slope. This shortcut rejoins the main route at the top of the 58 steps.)

[3] Crossing this wall stile go ahead in the field to enter the woods and cross a small bridge. Follow the path to the right and gently uphill to reach Point 4 at the brow of the hill.

[4] At the brow of the hill leave the woods by the step stile on your left. Follow the path on the left hand field side up to a further step stile and view point (F). Cross the stile, go straight ahead, again on the left hand field side, through 2 wicket gates and turn right to cross a step stile just before Swathwick Lane.

[5] Turn right along Swathwick Lane. Pass Swathwick Farm on your left. cross over and straight ahead at the signed road to Ashover. Just before the Wingerworth sign cross the road to keep on the pavement. Straight on, beyond Hill Top Rd, until your starting point, The Barley Mow, is reached.

 

 

POI information

(At Point 5 the walk could easily be combined with Ramblers' Route 2764 - Walton Woodlands Wander by continuing straight ahead across the road and over the wall stile and on to the metal sign post at Point 4 of that Route.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

This route largely follows public rights of way shown as dotted green lines on Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 269 - Chesterfield and Alfreton.

This route has been produced on behalf of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Group of the Ramblers. The Group already produces leaflet of The Chesterfield Round Walk (a 34 miles circuit of the town), and The South Chesterfield Way (an 11 mile route connecting Chesterfield to Clay Cross via Stubbing Pond). Dronfield Footpaths and Bridleways Society produce leaflets connecting Dronfield to Chesterfield - The North Chesterfield Way (9 miles) and the Drone Valley Way (7.5 miles).

Three alternative East Chesterfield Ways, with directions from Chesterfield to Bolsover, and vice versa, are available on Ramblers Routes.

To obtain more information on the Group please see www.chesterfieldramblers.com. Contact can be made via cnedra@btinternet.com.

In the event of any problems being experienced with public rights of way en route please report them to esprow@derbyshire.gov.uk (or 08456 058058 asking for the Rights of Way unit).

Acknowledgements

Sheepwash- Plaque by the sheepwash itself.

The Lavendar Path and Bill's Hill - local information.

Salem Methodist Chapel and Stubbing Court - Rob Haslam, text writer for The South Chesterfield Way leaflet published by the Group.

The Hunloke Family - Wingerworth Parish Council - www.wingerworth.org.uk

Stubbing Pond - www.geolocation.ws     Search under 'Stubbing Pond'

See also the Hidden Gems Audio Trail of Wingerworth - www.hidden-gems.org.uk

  • The Barley Mow,
Wingerworth
    The Barley Mow, Wingerworth
    By - Basil Merry
  • Wingerworth Sheepwash undergoing some restoration.
    Wingerworth Sheepwash undergoing some restoration.
    By - Basil Merry
  • 'Bill's hill' off the Lavendar Path taken from Chapel Field.
    By - Basil Merry
  • Salem Methodist Chapel
    Salem Methodist Chapel
    By - Basil Merry
  • The Great Pond of Stubbing.
    The Great Pond of Stubbing.
    By - Basil Merry
  • Bole Hill near Wingerworth.
    Bole Hill near Wingerworth.
    By - Basil Merry
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