[1] Go down the driveway signed to Calver Mill, grid ref SK246744. Walk straight along the lane,avoiding the entrance to Calver Mill.
(A) The present Calver Mill was built in 1805, after the original building had been destroyed by fire. By 1830, two hundred workers were employed at the mill: spinning cotton and associated activities. Spinning operation ceased in 1923. Since then the mill has had a variety of uses, including preparation of fluorspar (a mineral used in steel making), and the production of stainless steel products. Because of its austere outside appearance the Mill was even used to represent Colditz Castle in the television series “Colditz”. The mill has now been converted into residential apartments.
Go straight on, past Stocking Farm. Go through the gate ahead and continue walking alongside the River Derwent until the A625 at New Bridge.
(B) The original Calver Mill was built in 1778 and employed the then revolutionary method of spinning cotton developed by Richard Arkwright. A small weir was built to impound water to provide power. Unfortunately the weir was swept away when the River Derwent flooded a few years later. To add to the problems Calver Mill was burned down in 1802. The owners rebuilt the mill and weir complete with a millstream to the water-wheels. This new weir was only a partial success and in 1840s the present day weir was completed.This weir is a Grade II listed structure, is 116 metres long, and is S shaped in plan.The weir is presently being restored by local enthusiasts with the aid of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
[2] Cross the road. Go down the steps and straight ahead for a little way, then right over a little footbridge to rejoin the riverside path. Here, just before turning right, is the Calver Marshes Nature Reserve.
(C) Calver Marshes Nature Reserve is home to crested newts, lampreys and other species.
Follow the path with the river on your right until the next bridge, Froggatt Bridge is reached.
[3] Join the road, going right. Crossing the bridge, take a moment to admire the view of the stately River Derwent as it makes its way to the distant Trent. Turn left immediately after the bridge. Walk up the lane in front of the cottages (use the raised footpath if necessary). When the road turns right go straight forward on to Spooner Lane. This becomes a sometimes stoney, sometimes muddy, track.
When the track opens out into a field, bear right at the end of the wall, as indicated by the "DVH" Waymarker, and head towards a gate opening. Once through the opening follow the obvious track toward the "National Trust - Froggatt" sign and enter the wood.
Emerging from the woods, keep to the left hand boundary of the field and then follow the path to cross the small bridge. Bear right diagonally across the next field as indicated by the way post and join the B6521 at the bridge just outside Grindleford.
[4] Turn right and take the road for about half a mile, going steadily up hill until you reach a left turn, signposted to "Grindleford Railway Station".
[5] Turn down this road and cross the bridge over the railway, noting on the right the entrance to Totley Tunnel.
(D) Totley Tunnel was completed in 1893 and at 3.5 miles long was the longest mainline railway tunnel in Great Britain. It still holds the record of being the longest tunnel for non electrified trains. The other end of the tunnel emerges at Totley on the outskirts of Sheffield. During construction period many of the labourers worked 24 hour shift. The damp working conditions and poor sanitary facilities contributed to outbreaks of typhoid, diphtheria, smallpox, and scarlet fever.
Cross the bridge over the brook and pass by "Padley Mill" on your right.
Ascend the hill and come to a wide path to the right, with a finger post saying "Longshaw Estate via Padley Gorge".
If you ignore this right turn and go approximately 500m directly forward you will come to Padley Chapel.
(E) Padley Chapel is what remains of the private chapel belonging to Padley Hall. In Elizabethan England Catholic missionaries bravely conducted their ministry throughout the country, seeking refuge where they could but knowing that capture would result in death. In the 16th century Padley Hall was owned by a staunch catholic family who provided a safe haven for passing missionary Catholic priests. The Hall would regularly be searched for signs of Catholic worship. In 1588 two priests were captured whilst hiding at the Hall. They were tried and found guilty of treason. They were hung, drawn and quartered in Derby.These two Priests became known as the “Padley Martyrs”.
The chapel was restored in 1933 under the Roman Catholic faith.
Continuing the main route, take the right turn and follow the rocky path upwards and through the woods, keeping close to the drop to Burbage Brook on the right-hand side.
If you are here in summer or autumn, you are very likely to see large ants' nests at the side of the path. These are the nests of wood ants, probably Formica Rufa. They are often alive with scurrying red ants especially if prodded gently with a stick.
When the path emerges from the trees at the top of the gorge, and starts to be more like moorland, look out for two small footbridges crossing the stream to the right.
[6] Cross the second footbridge over the stream and ascend to the stile or gate at the road. Cross the road and follow signs toward the "Visitors Centre".
Pass the lake and continue on until confronted by 3 pedestrian gates. If you wish to go to the "National Trust Visitors Centre", (F), where there is a cafe, toilet and gift shop, then take the gate on the left. The "Visitors Centre" is a short distance ahead. Opening times vary with the seasons so please check for your specific visit on http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/longshaw/visitor-information/
(F) The National Trust "Visitors Centre" is located at the "Lodge".This was built in 1827 for the Duke of Rutland to provide accomodation for his shooting parties.
To continue the route, take the gate on the right and follow the clear, broad track across the meadows until arriving at a gate which leads to the main road. Turn right and walk carefully along the edge of the road, no footpath, passing the Grouse Inn. Carry on down the slight hill until the road bends to the right.
[7] Just a short way after the bend, a sign on the left indicates the way through a gate, where the path starts to climb. Go up, following the very obvious path, keeping the edge on your right. A short way along is the remains of Froggatt Stone Circle over to the left of the path.
(G) There are around 20 stone circles in Derbyshire and the Peak District. It is believed they date back to the 3,000 to 1,500 BC. They are monuments formed of a number of stones enclosing a circular area and are thought to have religious significance, although opinion on their actual purpose is very varied. What remains of Froggatt Stone Circle, consists of 11 stones, typically 500 mm high plus one at around 1 metre high formed into a double ring. It is thought that there may have been 18 stones here originally. The area was partially excavated early in the 20th century and cremated remains and an urn were discovered. Be sure to look carefully since at certain times of the year the circle can be obscured by vegetation
The path now follows a series of "Edges" - Froggatt, Curbar and, later but not in this walk, Baslow. These are all part of the geological formation that extends from North of the Snake Pass almost to Chesterfield and also includes Derwent and Stanage edges and Burbage Rocks. While walking along here, it is well worth getting closer to the edge when safe, to admire the Derwent valley below. The colours are particularly beautiful in Autumn.
[8] Stay on the path until it eventually arrives at the road, adjacent to a Car Park. Turn right down the road. Take care no footpath and narrow in places. Pass through Curbar and go to the bottom of the hill. Turn right over the river (or left, depending on exactly where you parked) back to the start.
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