Ashmel one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Ashby to Melbourne. A good route, for walkers only.

The meeting point in Ashby is very convenient for those arriving on westbound buses. We cross the road and head east, then turn left onto North Street, and right on the signposted footpath that starts through a hauliers' yard (if in doubt stay left). Shortly beyond the yard we are into new housing development, and there is a new wide tarmac track slightly further north than the right of way line. In the final field we are back in more recent development, but the path is still there between builders' fences. We cross another estate then follow the narrow path alongside the warehouses.

I have walked this section of the route at least twice before, most recently in 2021, but this time it was more overgrown that I remember, though the path line never entirely disappears in the nettles and brambles. The section through Old Parks has some very muddy sections even in fairly dry summer conditions. Plenty of stiles and plank bridges too, but the Leicestershire footpath signs are good (as are the National Forest Way waymarkers), so route finding is easy, though the trodden line above the final field above Heath End is straighter than the right of way line. Look out for the marker post above the house which leads to the surfaced lane.

At the bottom of the lane we leave all of the waymarked trails and turn left for a short distance - you can use the Tramway Trail or the road here, but since the road is quiet it is easiest to stay on it. The path right is mostly constrained between fences and hedges, and is a little overgrown, but it leads you to the edge of Calke Park easily enough. We meet the road and turn right along a tarmacked farm lane almost immediately, then follow the footpath sign left along the edge of the trees.

This path becomes fairly good, then trends too far to the left, and a rougher steeper path gets us back on line. I have never tried the waterside path Ken describes, but the main paths in and out of the car park do the job well enough, with a few steps which won't bother anyone who has managed all of the stiles so far. We are now in very popular walking country, and we follow the main track left up the hill (right of the right of way line), and a very well cut field path takes us over the top and past a farmhouse before we take a sharp right turn on a narrower path that dips to cross a stream and climbs to a lane the other side.

The path straight on towards the water tower is well marked used with obvious stiles, but does not follow the right of way line across the final field, using a straight line instead. This path was quite muddy when I walked it in January, but was dry yesterday, and some of the blackberries were already edible. In wet conditions the lower surfaced track is a lot easier - the lower track also has better views of the reservoir but is slightly longer. Rather than doubling back to the water tower, we continue along the field edge to Robinson's Hill, where we turn right using the good pavement on the right hand side, then left up Ashby Road and right onto a partly surfaced field path which follows the bottom of a wood then rises to Penn Lane, where we go straight across to follow the fenced footpath into the centre of Melbourne.

A good route, but be prepared for mud, long grass and lots of stiles.

I walked this route Melbourne to Ashby on a bright but cold day. A good country walk so stiles, cattle perhaps, sheep certainly, mud some, no serious hills. Possibility of refreshments at Calke. Sorry no pictures today, I forgot to charge the camera battery.

The exit from Melbourne is quickly into countryside but the road may be slightly more direct and also has some interest. The name Thomas Cook may have left the high streets but it's still remembered here.

Passing the old mill tower the correct line of the footpath is ignored by all including the landowner who has posted notices 'keep to the path' on the line of poles, so follow the crowd. Broadstone Holt is shown as access land but signs say private. Can't complain about the wide footpath, perhaps that's the tradeoff.

Well walked at White Leys but not quite on line, but this is Derbyshire. Now into Calke and an invite to make a donation should you wish or stick to the public path for free. There are some seats here. I got it wrong although the sign was misleading suggesting I climb to the car park, wrong. See map, stay by the lakeside but even here available paths don't quite match what is shown as definitive.

It is pleasant through the park but only a glimpse of the house if you stay public. I was early so it was nice to have the place to myself. Some photogenic calves posed for me but the battery said, no. Hitting the road there is another refreshment opportunity at Tollgate Brewery Tap, well worth a bit of road walking to visit.

The embankment at Heath End was the Ticknall tramway but the link is a scramble so best use this short section of road. Heath End once had an Inn, The Saracen’s Head, now a private house and the footpath to it has been diverted.

The countryside across Old Parks continues to delight with lots of sheep grazed pasture until crossing the deep gouge of Black Ditches after which a short section of rather muddy fenced path is encountered. Marked as Access land but not accessible.

A misplaced waymark post and stile tempted me into Alistair's Wood, wrong. So a prompt backtrack and onward to cross the Ashby bypass. From here it goes downhill, scenic wise, with a distribution centre on the east and houses about to be built on the west.

This is generally a very good walk so I'm happy to ignore the less interesting bits and give it the full five stars.

A pleasant and easy to follow route. I started from Ashby. There is a section of the footpath in Ashby which passes through a heavy goods yard. As a consequence, the footpath entrance needed to be found down the side of a lorry. Leicestershire, as a county does a great job of marking footpaths. The first section is following the Cross Britain and Ivanhoe paths simultaneously. A series of holloways lead to farmland which was mainly populated with sheep. The only badly signed section was just before reaching Heath End Farm. If you are following an app (or your map) this shouldn't be a problem. We were distracted by conversation and soon retraced our steps. Beyond Heath End, as you enter Derbyshire, Ashmel turns left and follows a route through a series of fields rather than continuing with the lane (there is a path running parallel which would keep you offroad). It runs along a series of footpaths through Calke Abbey, a National Trust property and then beyond to the outskirts of Melbourne. The Calke section was my favourite part, passing some of the largest trees I've ever seen in Britain. My one criticism of the route is that it offers no refreshment stops. Had we stayed with the National Forest Way I suspect we would have passed the Calke Abbey cafe, although I can not be sure, nor can I be sure as non-NT members that we would have been allowed to use it. There was a section of the path route White Leys where the footpath no longer but there was an obvious workaround and it didn't really inconvenience us. The final section into Melbourne involves crossing a couple of roads where particular care is needed but I would describe neither as unsafe. Melbourne is a charming, thriving town and offers many food and drink options (as does Ashby). Safe, direct, easy to follow but with no stopping points offering services. Four stars.

A very good route. I have walked it many times. A bit difficult to find the Public Right of Way through Calke Park (before the Ponds) but as long as you stick it you won't be charged by the National Trust (£8:00)! The section through Old Parks on the National Forest Way/Ivanhoe Way (north of Ashby) can be very muddy in winter. Melbourne is a lovely historic town with pubs, cafes, shops and accommodation.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.