Vale of Belvoir Ramblers

Ashbourne, 19th March 2015

This walk, 10 miles long and involving about 400m of ups and downs, explored the Dove Valley and its tributaries south west of Ashbourne, just outside the Peak District National Park.

Starting at the car park at the bottom of the Tissington Trail, we walked down to the Derbyshire/Staffordshire boundary, crossing the River Dove over the Hanging Bridge to Mayfield. Mayfield was originally a Saxon Village and is mentioned in the Domesday book, however the Hanging Bridge got its name in 1745 when some of Bonnie Prince Charlie's men upset the locals with serious consequences (for the former).

The village has many old and interesting buildings:

Rock House - a dwelling carved out of the local sandstone

Mayfield Hall (see 45 on map below) - beneath the Hall are cellars and passages reputedly dating from 1157

Brook Farm (46), a late Elizabethan stone built residence now three self-contained holiday cottages - yours for only £795k

Holme Farm (44), the oldest house in the Mayfield hamlets, dating from 1440

Old Hall Farm (51) dates from 1620

From Mayfield we followed the heavily wooded valley of Ordley Brook ...

... to Swinscoe for lunch before crossing the A52 towards Okeover Park and the Hall, the family seat of the Okeover family who have been in residence since the reign of William Rufus.

Ancient oaks in Okeover Park

Then past the Okeover Corn Mill ...

... and back over the Dove to Mapleton, Then a short climb took us to the Tissington Trail and back to the car park

Barkestone le Vale, 8th March 2015

A good turnout (24) for this 9½ mile walk which took us to Plungar, Stathern and Harby. Thanks Steve for the photos.

Our leader, Farmer John (not my words!)

Coffee at Stathern

Carrie sulking - she likes to lead

Harby Church

Barnby in the Willows, 1st March 2015

Starting in Barnby on the Nottinghamshire side of the Witham, this short walk explored the flatlands of Lincolnshire to the east - maximum elevation 26m, minimum 12m.

All Saints Church, Barnby, dating back to the 13th century - but minus its lead roof, stolen in October last year.

Fenton Church - coffee time

Farnsfield and Edingley, 22nd February 2015

As you drive down the A6097 just before the Oxton by-pass, you may have wondered about those lumps on the horizon to your left. Well this walk took us up to the most southerly one, the buried remains of Farnsfield Roman camp.

We started at Farnsfield's Parish Church of St Michael...

... and up through Combs Wood ...

... planning to get to the camp in time for coffee. The wind drove us back from the top of the camp ...

... to the shelter of the trees but not before we enjoyed the panorama to the west.

We retraced our steps a bit, avoiding the very muddy fields by walking down Greaves Lane and then picked up the Robin Hood Way from which we had some more panoramic views to the north (photo taken on the recce) ...