Walking Group

Eight of us met at the Church gates for our late afternoon walk from Hartington. For once the weather was sunny and warm with no chance of rain.

When we arrived at Hartington the village was still busy – it was their ‘open gardens’ day with sixteen local gardens open to the public. The village itself has had a market charter since 1203, and has a large market place, green and village pond with attractive buildings arranged around. The local church was constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries.

 

We started our 4 ¾ mile walk by approaching the old cheese factory. Once owned by Nuttalls, it produced cheese from 1900 until 2009, producing 25% of the world output of Stilton cheese. There is still a cheese shop in the village and cheese production has restarted on a smaller scale within the parish boundaries.

Following the footpath to Sheen we soon started to climb a steep hill. Once at the top we had a short stop to get our breath back and admire the view over Hartington and the surrounding hills. We continued along the ridge through a pinewood and crossed fields before reaching Harris Close Farm. After a short walk along the lane we started our descent down to the River Dove. This lane was an old packhorse route and saltway from Cheshire. Over to our left Broadmeadow Hall could be seen, a magnificent 17th century manor with stone mullioned windows. After crossing the river over a narrow wooden bridge we had our picnic.

 

Refreshed we walked up to the small hamlet of Pilsbury before taking the gated road back to Hartington. As we walked along this quiet road in the warmth of the early evening we had sheep to keep us company and house martins swooping around us.

Those walkers at the front as they rounded a bend, had a brief glimpse of the Red Arrows flying by whilst those at the back had to make do with a low flying Emirates passenger jet overhead.

 

After passing Bank Top farm we entered Hartington which was much quieter than when we had started our walk. Shortly we reached our cars. Before returning to Chesterfield, we all agreed it was an ideal walk for a perfect summer’s evening.

 

Steve Franks