Burmel two

Verified Slow Way

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This route seems the best and is reasonably direct,it has plenty of good views across both Derbyshire and Staffordshire plus some interesting places to visit/view (foremark hall foremark church repton church and school etc)Public transport links rather infrequent at Melbourne ,better at Burton onTrent.No access or difficult stiles to contend with and offers a good walk.

I walked this with the other three reviewers plus guest, so thank you David, Ken,Mike and John.

We walked from Melbourne to Burton via Repton.

The route is a simpler and more direct route than Burmel One, with lovely views across ‘Megawatt Valley’.

It is also forms part of an ancient route between Melbourne and Repton as you will pass close to a Danish burial mound. It was a rare treat to have a local historian with us to explain the area and Repton Church in particular - thank you
John.

Walked this from Melbourne to Burton on a Saturday morning. Caught the bus into Melbourne and the train out of Burton, so a very well-connected route!

Overall, a really fantastic route. There was so much variety, really beautiful hilltop views of the Derbyshire and Staffordshire countryside, interesting sights to see, and good walking surfaces. All around a lovely walk.

Some highlights included the stretch through Robin Wood and Heath Wood (that herd of cows was thankfully docile), a short diversion into Repton to see the town, a great bit of country after Repton, and a perfect ending at a pub in Burton!

Really happy to have this included in the Slow Ways network.

Walked Melbourne to Burton on a dry day. Pretty direct, some very good path and track surfaces, no signs of extreme mud, excellent views looking north. Some limitations, tall and wobbly stiles and cattle so consideration is needed to know your own limits. An Inn at Milton on route and other services just off route at Repton. This is a good leisure walk with a bus via Ashby linking start and end or buses out of Derby.

The walk started at the small but perfectly formed Market Place in Melbourne. A shelter with seats offers protection should it be required and just around the corner a well maintained loo block provided by the parish council. Such a pleasant place it was sad to be leaving as did that travel pioneer born here in 1808, Thomas Cook.

Four strangers dropped off buses, made introductions, agreed which route to review and set off down a twitchell, across a road and into a field, no lingering suburbs here. Well not quite, a section of busy road with safe pavement was necessary to reach real open countryside on a Bridle Path to Milton. Melbourne has an active footpath group and there work is in evidence with signs and gates.

Being a bridleway and a Saturday we did encounter cyclists, a small group but on a narrow section so we stood to one side to allow them past. An Ordnance Survey Triangulation Pillar (Trig Point) is always a draw and most will offer a good view point so here was our first stop to spot one, if not the last coal fired power station simmering gently in what was once called Megawatt Valley along the River Trent. The pillar also holds a plaque with information about the route we are travelling.

The walks and conversation continued along good tracks no need for single file here. The next highlight is Foremark Hall a Grade I Listed mansion once the home of the Burdetts. Now surrounded by new buildings it still offers an imposing facade for the desirable Preparatory School (Repton Prep). We made a short and worthwhile detour to admire the well kept interior of Foremark church.

The Swan at Milton is close to the route but has limited opening hours. We pressed on and found a seat in the small and recently established, going by the size of the trees, arboretum in Repton. Having made good progress it was agreed to visit Repton church, crypt and remains of the priory, recommended by our local guide, John. We inspected a memorial to C.B. Fry who's ashes are buried here perhaps to mark his abilities in sport, developed while attending school here.

Leaving Repton the walk along higher ground offers more views over the Trent valley, crossing fields of sand, ground down by glacial movement millions of years ago. A short section of road was quiet and verges would offer sanctuary if required. Another pause to look north but no landmarks could be identified. A later search on the map reveals that, as suggested, we were looking to the distinctive tree capped Minninglow Hill on the horizon 21 miles away.

Field edge paths continue to the edge of the urban area of Winshill once part of Derbyshire but taken into Burton Borough as long ago as 1894. Who says boundary changes are a new thing? The street walking passed quickly as conversation had not stalled and these strangers had become good friends. Burton Bridge, while noisy with traffic, is an interesting structure and area so good to have time to take a proper look. We needed to be on the south side but an underpass at the town end allowed a safe crossing which may not be available if the river is in flood.

After liquid refreshment in the pleasant surroundings of the Burton Bridge Inn we continued along the off road route. Here a flood wall on the town side indicated this path may not be available when the river level is high. Those on the bus could have left the route in the town centre but with time to spare we all pressed on to the station which may not be the best of Slow Ways meeting points.

A good walk enhanced by good company. Thanks to Lynn, David,Mike and John for their company.

A really enjoyable Slow Way. We started from the Melbourne end. Leaving the village via a series of footpaths there is a brief bit of pavement walking, before the route leads you into farmland. It is a gentle ascent via footpaths but the views across Derbyshire are, in no time, superb. Beyond a triangulation pillar, you head into the peace of managed woodland. By way of variety the way takes you through the grounds of Foremark Hall School, shortly before a brief section through the village of Milton. St Saviours Church, visible from the route, makes an interesting slight diversion. Throughout this open part of the walk, there are views north across the Trent Valley. In no time you are in Repton, which is where we stopped for lunch. There is a pub there. From there to Winshill consists of a single scenic footpath. Some of the stiles were in poor repair but were passed. Winshill is a residential area which leads down to Burton which you reach by crossing the Trent via the Burton Bridge. The road is busy but the alternative of following Stapenhill Road would be as busy. The final section follows the footpath next to the Trent and then the main road to the station. Safe, direct and interesting, I can't see a better way to do this route. Full marks.

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