Ashwir three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ashwir here.

The Slow Way starts from Ashbourne along the Henmore Brook, this divides the town especially for Royal Shrovetide Football. Those born south of the Brook are the Down'ards, and try to goal the ball at the old Clifton Mill, near the brook's confluence with the Dove. Those born on the north are the Up'ards and try to goal the ball at the old Sturston Mill which we pass close by. The paths to here are signed for the Royal Shrovetide Football Challenge Walks and are well used.

Beyond the Mill the paths cross lovely flat meadows where sheep and cattle graze. After Agnes Meadow Bridge there is a field with cattle and the well trodden feeding point is bang on the path necessitating an alternative route or wellingtons. Crossing to Down'ards and using the lower part of Ridge Lane might offer a better route. The plotted route later crosses the brook and here the ground is boggy perhaps even in dryer conditions as two streams need crossing. So another route might be to climb to higher ground via Atlow Moat Farm because there is another very wet section on the plotted path by the moat.

It was with some relief that I found a seat at Atlow church. Time for a break, because from here the route leaves the valley and makes a climb of two hundred feet, it felt a lot more, before a gentler descent to Biggin. Two exit points onto Gibfield Lane, both signed will confuse in the reverse direction. Next an opportunity to admire the view and see how farmers spend their hard earned cash, an interesting use of the barn, note the life ring. Heading west from Biggin will not be straightforward, take the stile not the track. At Hays Farm we head north through a narrow gap in the hedge.

It’s another climb and some pretty poor stiles. To the west major works are in progress at Nether Hillside Farm, as was, because a massive house is under construction. Our path takes us to the west of a trig point at The Mountain, fortunately we don’t need to climb it. The approach to Kirk Irton uses a track although the recorded footpath is often in the fields to either side and may be impossible to locate.

Being a Saturday I expected that the Barley Mow would be open. Externally and internally it looks just as I remember, a wonderful time warp inn that had been run for years by a mother and daughter. A menu board in the porch was the first indication of some change and the young woman behind the bar was the second. The barrels behind the bar had also gone but I was please to discover that my ale was still served from a jug. The log fire still offered a welcome and the slate topped tables remain spotless and uncluttered. I was tempted by a plate of Scotch Eggs and placed an order. It came as a surprise when I cut into it to find it warm, just made I was told and as I soon found it was the best Scotch Egg I had every eaten.

Only four miles left on the clock so this was not half way but the only service on offer. The village paths are well used and the approach to Moorside Farm confusing. A botched diversion has never been opened up so we still use the old route although it’s not shown on the map. Halfmoon Lane offers great views and little if any traffic. A parallel footpath avoids much of Stainsbro Lane which had some traffic but plenty of verge to step on if required.

Turning off opposite Stainsborugh Hall the path crosses a field of very old lead working, now grazed by sheep, then crosses Summer Lane. The lane could provide a route down to Wirksworth but the field path used offers a good view over the town. Into the modern part of Wirksworth our route is a mix of decent paths between the houses and estate roads before we arrive in the old town.

Wirksworth is a delightful town, with a distant history of mining which has left it unscathed or perhaps even enhanced. For those who remember a Hovis advert filmed on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. Wirksworth can offer a similar location just up from our meeting place, at Green Hill, I recommend time to explore.

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