WALKS WITH NELLIE ~ CROMFORD ~ BY SALLY MOSLEY

Rather appropriately this turned out to be a festive walk as unwittingly there was a twinkling of Christmas markets taking place in the vicinity of Cromford that day. It was also a crisp and bright sunny morning that added a winter ambience to proceedings along the way. However, driving down the A6 had me blinded by low sun which seemed to be directly ahead the whole time.

After parking in Cromford Meadows, Nellie and I set off along the canal path which was busy with weekend walkers, joggers, cyclists and a furry parade of canine friends.

From this slightly elevated pathway I looked across to Bow Wood that appeared somewhat drab and dreary after shedding its autumn leaves. However, down on Cromford Meadows several rugby teams and runners were in training, their shirts providing a rainbow of primary colours.

We arrived at High Peak Junction where I was surprised to see the little shop and display open which are located in the second oldest railway workshops in the world. This site is where the former Cromford and High Peak Railway of 1830 met up with the Cromford Canal finished in 1794. The 17-mile stretch of railway line headed up and over the limestone dome of White Peak countryside before terminating at Whaley Bridge where it met up with the Peak Forest Canal.

We now headed up a little path to the main road then crossed over, going slightly to the left so that we could access a footpath that initially ascended a field before entering Birch Wood. From here we trod a most fantastic old stone slabbed path up a sunken hollow way between pine, oak and silver birch trees that led us up to high ground. We emerged at the top of the wood to cross a camping field that brought us onto Intake Lane which is now part of the Midshires Way long distance route. The term ‘intake’ dates back to medieval times as a name given to a way established when land was being taken in from the wild and enclosed, so that landowners could access their fields.

We turned right to follow this lovely old track, lined with trees, hedgerows and lots of holly bushes until eventually heading downhill and then under Sheep Pasture Incline which is ¾-mile long with a gradient of 1 in 8.

Not far beyond the bridge we turned left on a waymarked path going uphill again through an area of woodland, emerging onto fields dotted with grazing sheep. From up there were fabulous views of hills surrounding Cromford and the Derwent Valley with the river snaking through. I could make out the start of the Via Gellia road which winds its way up between hills that are pockmarked with quarries and spotted with properties tucked into these sylvan slopes. A few houses were designed to look like alpine lodges, but the majority are traditionally built of local stone. Looking down I could see the majestic form of Willersley Castle built by Sir Richard Arkwright out of his copious profits. Unfortunately he was never to enjoy its grandeur as he died before its completion.

We followed the footpath to houses at Moorside then headed downhill before taking a steep and narrow path on the right that took us to Barnwell Lane where we crossed over and descend Bedehouse Lane opposite . This is lined with characterful cottages and a row of very old, single-storey properties. These are the Cromford Almshouses or Bedehouses that date back to 1662 when a charity was established to provide housing for poor people in the parish.

Continuing on we eventually arrived at the bottom of Cromford Hill where I always love to see the terraces of old millworkers cottages built by Richard Arkwright and his son for their employees. Some still retain their original windows and character. Further down the hill is the popular and somewhat famous Arkwright Stores where I noticed the small paned windows were beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Traffic was very busy at the traffic light junction where we carefully crossed before heading down Mill Lane to end our walk.

Sally Mosley

FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: You would think being called Nellie that I would appear on the ‘Blue Cross’ list of 100 most favourite names for dogs, but surprisingly I don’t. Max is top dog and Bella is apparently the most common name for females. Would you believe though that Gerbil is 31st and Bear is 32nd? Who on earth would call their dog Gerbil? Rolo and Fudge are also on the list as is Sally at 65th. The weirdest name I came across was Chase at 96. Can you imagine shouting that when the dog is running loose in the fields? So you see, I’m not so common after all, but it sounds like Mum is!! Love Nellie xxx

Rather appropriately this turned out to be a festive walk as unwittingly there was a twinkling of Christmas markets taking place in the vicinity of Cromford that day. It was also a crisp and bright sunny morning that added a winter ambience to proceedings along the way. However, driving down the A6 had me blinded by low sun which seemed to be directly ahead the whole time.

After parking in Cromford Meadows, Nellie and I set off along the canal path which was busy with weekend walkers, joggers, cyclists and a furry parade of canine friends.

From this slightly elevated pathway I looked across to Bow Wood that appeared somewhat drab and dreary after shedding its autumn leaves. However, down on Cromford Meadows several rugby teams and runners were in training, their shirts providing a rainbow of primary colours.

We arrived at High Peak Junction where I was surprised to see the little shop and display open which are located in the second oldest railway workshops in the world. This site is where the former Cromford and High Peak Railway of 1830 met up with the Cromford Canal finished in 1794. The 17-mile stretch of railway line headed up and over the limestone dome of White Peak countryside before terminating at Whaley Bridge where it met up with the Peak Forest Canal.

We now headed up a little path to the main road then crossed over, going slightly to the left so that we could access a footpath that initially ascended a field before entering Birch Wood. From here we trod a most fantastic old stone slabbed path up a sunken hollow way between pine, oak and silver birch trees that led us up to high ground. We emerged at the top of the wood to cross a camping field that brought us onto Intake Lane which is now part of the Midshires Way long distance route. The term ‘intake’ dates back to medieval times as a name given to a way established when land was being taken in from the wild and enclosed, so that landowners could access their fields.

We turned right to follow this lovely old track, lined with trees, hedgerows and lots of holly bushes until eventually heading downhill and then under Sheep Pasture Incline which is ¾-mile long with a gradient of 1 in 8.

Not far beyond the bridge we turned left on a waymarked path going uphill again through an area of woodland, emerging onto fields dotted with grazing sheep. From up there were fabulous views of hills surrounding Cromford and the Derwent Valley with the river snaking through. I could make out the start of the Via Gellia road which winds its way up between hills that are pockmarked with quarries and spotted with properties tucked into these sylvan slopes. A few houses were designed to look like alpine lodges, but the majority are traditionally built of local stone. Looking down I could see the majestic form of Willersley Castle built by Sir Richard Arkwright out of his copious profits. Unfortunately he was never to enjoy its grandeur as he died before its completion.

We followed the footpath to houses at Moorside then headed downhill before taking a steep and narrow path on the right that took us to Barnwell Lane where we crossed over and descend Bedehouse Lane opposite . This is lined with characterful cottages and a row of very old, single-storey properties. These are the Cromford Almshouses or Bedehouses that date back to 1662 when a charity was established to provide housing for poor people in the parish.

Continuing on we eventually arrived at the bottom of Cromford Hill where I always love to see the terraces of old millworkers cottages built by Richard Arkwright and his son for their employees. Some still retain their original windows and character. Further down the hill is the popular and somewhat famous Arkwright Stores where I noticed the small paned windows were beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Traffic was very busy at the traffic light junction where we carefully crossed before heading down Mill Lane to end our walk.

Sally Mosley

FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: You would think being called Nellie that I would appear on the ‘Blue Cross’ list of 100 most favourite names for dogs, but surprisingly I don’t. Max is top dog and Bella is apparently the most common name for females. Would you believe though that Gerbil is 31st and Bear is 32nd? Who on earth would call their dog Gerbil? Rolo and Fudge are also on the list as is Sally at 65th. The weirdest name I came across was Chase at 96. Can you imagine shouting that when the dog is running loose in the fields? So you see, I’m not so common after all, but it sounds like Mum is!! Love Nellie xxx