Belper and Blackbrook

Recommended by

Our view

"Ascend the former Norman hunting grounds of Beaurepaire then visit a fascinating mill complex in the town"

Walk directions

Exit the River Gardens car park by a pedestrian passageway near the public toilets. This leads past the back of the mills and the Derwent Valley Visitor Centre. Exit the driveway bearing right then over Belper Bridge. By The Talbot Hotel, turn right towards ‘Belper Lane End Alderwasley’.

Ignore the next two right forks (Wyver Lane and Belper Lane), but where the road swings sharply left, go straight ahead on The Scotches. At the end of this short lane, a stile leads to a path across a field. Follow this at the edge of several more fields before descending through woodland to Wyver Lane, near the wetlands nature reserve.

Turn left along the road. Take a track bearing left signed to Wyver Farm; this bends right through a long field then becomes a green lane. Pass straight through the yard of Wyver Farm then continue through fields to the road at Belper Lane End.

Turn right along the road, then right again at the Bull’s Head pub. Stay left with the main road towards Shottle, then turn left on to a farm track at Gorses Farm. Follow this uphill, continuing ahead when it becomes a narrow path by a barn.

Turn left along Longwalls Lane, which soon degenerates into a stony track. Any vehicle traffic is restricted beyond a sharp bend right of the main track. Continue ahead on a track which becomes rutted grass, then a narrower and rocky, tree-lined holloway. It becomes wider and open to traffic again at Starbuck House. Descend to a T-junction with the Ashbourne Road at Blackbrook.

Turn right along the road and pass Plains Lane. Take the next left on to a tarmac track. Cross a footbridge by a ford, then rise up the lane. Pass Lumb Farm and Windarra then take a footpath on the left. Past a gate, a path climbs diagonally across a field, then enters an area of delightful woodland (Lumb Grange). Turn left at a stile in a wall, aiming for some houses at the far end of a field. Take the right hand of two parallel tracks, past the houses to reach the road at Farnah Green.

Turn right along the road to walk past some houses. Shortly before The Bluebell pub, turn left on to a tarmac driveway to Chevin Mount. This becomes unsurfaced then bends sharp right. At a nearby bench, turn left down a fenced-in footpath, descending steeply and directly beside sloping fields to Chevin Road.

The continuing path is staggered 100yds (91m) to the left and follows a short driveway past Swiss Barn. Go through a walkers’ gate then go left on a well-marked footpath. This leads across fields and down to the River Derwent. Stay near the river, crossing a driveway track on a dog-leg left then right, then along wider tracks back to Belper Bridge and the outward route.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Good paths and tracks, could be muddy after periods of heavy rain, several stiles

Landscape - Urban start and finish, but mostly rolling farm pastures

Dog friendliness - Dogs should be kept on lead through farmland, under close control elsewhere

Parking - Belper River Gardens car park, off A6

Toilets en route - At River Gardens car park

Walks in Derbyshire Dog-friendly walks in Derbyshire

About the walk

Before Jedediah Strutt came to Belper, it was a mere backwater of Derbyshire, and according to Dr Davies, writing in 1811, was ‘backward in civility’ and considered as the insignificant residence of a few ‘uncivilised nailors’. The land around Belper was part of the Norman hunting grounds of...

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

The natural features of this central English county range from the modest heights of the Peak District National Park, where Kinder Scout stands at 2,088 ft (636 m), to the depths of its remarkable underground caverns, floodlit to reveal exquisite Blue John stone. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy the High Peak Trail which extends from the Derwent Valley to the limestone plateau near Buxton, and for many, the spectacular scenery is what draws them to the area.