WALKS WITH NELLIE! Barlow

This walk on the eastern flank of the Peak District was a delight, offering far reaching views and a glimpse of Chesterfield’s crooked spire, following lovely paths with plenty of interesting properties along the way to look enviously at.

I parked at Linacre Reservoir and set off with Nellie to descend the road as far as the toilet block. We then went down a flight of steps opposite to walk across the dam wall of the bottom reservoir which was surprisingly full and to the top of the plughole overflows. Permission was granted by an Act of Parliament for the Lower Reservoir to be constructed in 1855 (holding capacity 140 million litres) followed by Upper Reservoir in 1885 (575 million litres) and Middle Reservoir in 1904 (410 million litres). Prior to 1909 the water was unfiltered before being pumped to customers, resulting in complaints about its taste and odour. Quote: “The appearance of the public water supply was such that the poor used it as soup, the middle class for washing their clothes and the elite for watering their gardens”.

After a circuitous path through woodland around the reservoir we headed back up towards the car park with the aim of walking over to Cutthope Hall. There was a plethora of paths to choose from and I had to use my OS map app to make sure I didn’t go the wrong way.

I only got a teeny peep of the Hall which snuggles out of sight behind a high wall and mature trees. It reputedly dates from 1675 but stands on the site of an earlier building. Within are said to be a secret chapel and priest hole in the rafters.

An attractive bridlepath and avenue driveway known as Green Lane led us to the village of Cuttorpe where we emerged close to the fabulous Old Manor House. Its tall 4-storey section was built in 1625 for Alderman Ralph Clarke of Chesterfield whose father had been the town’s first mayor and a lead ore merchant. The 2-storey section to the side is even older and evidently timber framed. This part is said to date from the 15th century.

Nellie and I turned right and walked as far as the Village Hall which was originally built as a school. Here we turned left to walk past the recreation ground along Common Lane that soon descended steeply. We went down a bridleway on the right to cross a ford in Sud Brook then ascended an overgrown pathway to Wilkin Hill on the outskirts of Barlow.

At the junction to the side of the Peacock pub is a very prominent tree protected by a circle of railings. This Coronation Tree was planted on 22nd June 1911 in commemoration of George V. Prior to the 17th century, Barlow was known as Barley after the family that owned it. In subsequent years it became part of the estate held by the Duke of Rutland, hence the pub name taken from the family emblem.

We headed up the side of Barlow’s Church which is dedicated to St Lawrence and dates back to Norman times. A wedding was taking place and I just caught a glimpse of the bride entering the porch to begin her walk down the aisle. I would have loved to have been able to sneak inside as I’ve always wanted to see the tomb of Robert Barley who was the first husband of Bess of Hardwick.

Instead, Nellie and I began a long uphill trek to Bolehill, heading in a virtual straight line through arable fields with a succession of stiles and little gates. Bole Hill is another ancient site where smelting of lead or iron once took place. Bolehill House dates in part back to 1677 and was formerly a little school with schoolhouse attached.

Emerging from the drive we turned right and followed a road towards Grange House Farm. In the 12th century an order of Cistercian monks from Louth Park Abbey in Lincolnshire owned land hereabouts, hence references in local property names such as Abbeyhill Farm. Just before the farmhouse we turned left down Oaks Lane which became a rough track after Oxton Rake Farm, leading down to a hollow beside an upstream section of the watercourse we had crossed earlier.

It was very warm so we made our way slowly up the hill beyond to emerge at a junction with what used to be The Gate Inn on our right, now a private residence. Here we turned left to walk roadside and then through a little cluster of cottages to pass Pratt Hall. A wander over a field of bleached white straw stubble and then a grassy path alongside woodland led us back to the car park for our journey home.

Sally Mosley

FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: Mum said I need to make you smile, so I thought I’d try out a couple of jokes on you.

What kind of dog never throws anything away? – A hoarder collie.

When you cross a Sheepdog with jelly, what do you get? – The collie wobbles!

Sniggers and slurps, Nellie xx