With rain threatening, eight of us set off from St Peter’s Edensor on our 4 ½ mile evening walk (The later start due to Father Keith’s last service at St John’s earlier in the day)
We walked up through the model village of Edensor, (pronounced Enzor), all the homes are tied houses but occupants, (most of whom work for the Chatsworth Estate), their widows and widowers may keep them for life. Most of the buildings in Edensor are from individual designs from around 1840, when the 6th Duke of Devonshire, removed the village from along the river to its present position, as it ‘spoilt’ the view from the House. There is a Swiss cottage, a Norman House, a Tudor cottage among others. There has been no new building since that date.
After following a track for ¾ mile we met the minor road from Pilsley which we followed for ½ mile before turning off onto a track which led to grassland. Walking towards the Moatless Plantation which was probably a meeting place in Saxon Times we had views to our right of Bakewell Showground with preparations well under way for Bakewell Show.
Passing a pond we crossed Calton pastures noticing the hundreds of grazing sheep, before approaching Russian Cottage. Russian Cottage was built following a gift of a model of a Russian Farm to the 6th Duke of Devonshire in 1855 from the brother of Tsar Nicholas of Russia. The Tsar and the 6th Duke had become friends following the Duke’s visit to Russia in 1816 when he served as the British Ambassador to Moscow. An exchange visit in 1844 was planned but unfortunately the Tsar had to cancel his visit. Instead the Duke was sent an intricate model of a Russian. farmhouse as a reminder and keepsake, from which came the inspiration to build Russian Cottage. The property has recently been renovated and decorated and is now a holiday cottage with prices starting at over £1000 a week in the low season.
Crossing Chatsworth Park towards Edensor we admired the views of Chatsworth House on the right and the herd of deer on the left.
On reaching Edensor we returned to our cars, thankful that the rain had not materialised.
Stephen Franks
The next 5 mile walk on Sunday 1st September will be around Hathersage and will be led by Eric and Helen. Please meet at the church gates at 12 noon with a packed lunch and transport will be arranged. If any of our readers would like to join us, you will be made most welcome.