British Walking Federation

BEELEY  AND  CHATSWORTH  HOUSE WALK ORGANISED BY THE BWF NATIONAL COMMITTEE

CONTACT:  Roger Baker, 12 Burwood Grove, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 9DS   
Tel: 02392 462005     E-mail: trails@bwf-ivv.org.uk

DISTANCE:  12km
ENTRY FEE:  £1.00 per walker  (Cheques payable to BWF))
AWARD:  Cloth Badge at £2.00 each
DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST TOWN:   Bakewell - From Bakewell take the A619 towards Baslow/Sheffield and then follow the Brown Tourist ‘Chatsworth’ signs
START VENUE:  Calton Lees Car Park.    Map 119 GR SK259685
COACH & CAR PARKING:  There is ample Car Parking at Calton Lees (at the entrance to Chatsworth Estate near Beeley village), At approx. £2.00 per day, Coach Parking only by prior arrangement.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:  Buses from Bakewell, Chesterfield and Sheffield. These services are limited in winter.
REFRESHMENTS:  At the start and on the route.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION (Updated 4 June 2007)

Leave the car park by a path close to the entrance to the Garden Centre. Descend to the road and cross the river by the bridge. Immediately after the bridge turn right and follow footpath across the meadows towards Beeley. At end of meadow, go through gate, cross road and enter churchyard. At end of churchyard, keep forward and at road junction turn right and follow road around to left through the village. Continue along this road for approx. 500m as it becomes a track. Where track drops to right, keep forward along grassy path following footpath sign. Go through gate with double stile and at next gate bear right through gate to enter woodland. Keep forward uphill along good track. Cross stream (care required after heavy rain) and keep forward along track. At top of incline where path flattens, turn back sharply left and keep climbing. On reaching open grassy area, turn right towards stile in stone wall at top of hill. Go over stile and turn left on track. Follow track around left hand bend and at next left hand bend, go forward over stile and along track.

Q1 - At the gate what is forbidden to go on the track you are taking?

Continue along track across high open moorland for approx. 1500m to reach wood. Cross stile in wall and keep forward along good track. At track cross roads keep forward (Signposted - Robin Hood). Continue along track through wood for approx. 2500m passing ornamental lakes to eventually reach the Hunting Tower, at junction of tracks keep forward.

Q2 - Where does the track to the right lead?

After track junction bear round to the left with Hunting Tower on left, and where steps lead up to the Hunting Tower, take path and then steps to right downhill to reach path. Continue to descend steps beside waterfall to eventually reach cross track turn right along track passing children’s play area on left and at large wooden gate go over stile and follow track as it swings around to the right. Cross stile and continue straight on across field to next stile by gate, turn sharp left downhill keeping fence line on left to reach gravel track. At track turn left towards Chatsworth House go through car park passing stable block on left to reach main entrance to house.

Q3 – How many sets of metal gates are there at the entrance?

Continue downhill towards bridge over river. Cross river and turn left across meadows keeping between river and road to return to Calton Lees Car Park and end of walk.

When you have completed this trail please use the  Permanent Trail Entry Form

The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and/or damage to property.  Every effort will be made by the organisers to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.

This trail is registered until 31 December 2009.