Ironville, possibly Derbyshire’s best example of a mid-nineteenth century model village, was created between 1834 and 1860 by the Butterley Company to house its workers at the nearby Codnor Park Ironworks which operated until the 1970s. The village, which stands at the junction of the Pinxton and Cromford Canals, is known for its houses built from iron slag, those on Forge Row near the start of the walk being a fine example.
The 8.5 mile walk will take us up to the remains of the 11th century Codnor Castle before dropping down to the Erewash Meadows Nature Reserve and then up to the outskirts of Brinsley. A long descent takes us to the Cromford Canal and back to Ironbridge.
