Clagla two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route from Clay Cross in June. The 1:25000 map is useful to pick out the correct line. After making my way through the residential areas, the route leaves Clay Cross on the pavement of the busy Pilsley Road before turning off on the right of way. At the stables the route keeps to the right of the buildings, but this is not waymarked as such. The paths are mostly across grass pastures in this section, so easy to find.

At Seanor Farm we enter arable land. The route though the farmyard is not way-marked and I found a way round the buildings before returning to the right of way. There are tractor tracks through the crop which head in the right direction climbing towards the power pole. Through the gateway, then the higher track is nearest to the correct line and I managed to get through to the RoW up the side of the wood approaching Timber Lane farm and the line of the 5-pits trail. Across the trail at a stile and then paths on grass lead across the fields to the B6039 Chesterfield Road. A short length of lane leads to Astwith and the route heads southwards on a bridleway towards Hardstoft. After Hardstoft the path across the field disappeared into the shoulder high rape crop. On reflection, stick to the hedgerow to avoid it.

From the M1 underpass we enter Hardwick park and follow good paths to Ault Hucknall, and then a short length of road and across the fields to Glapwell. An enjoyable route overall but more navigational work needed than most slow-way routes.

Walked from Glapwell to Clay Cross after a week with a lot of rain. Probably more enjoyable when drier - today there was a lot of mud, quite deep at times, and several recently ploughed clay fields with no visible path line. Enjoyed the section from Ault Hucknall down through the grounds of Hardwick Hall.

We leave the Glapwell meeting point west, and take the footpath into the housing estate and use pavements to reach the footpath on Lime Tree Avenue. The field path beyond was very wet, setting the tone for the rest of the walk. A short interlude of road walking on a quiet lane takes us to Ault Hucknall church, and we follow the farm track left then continue on grass downhill through the Hardwick Hall estate. Eventually we reach a road which goes right to the car park area, where there is a cafe and toilets. We follow the road left then take the pavement under the M1 and continue on the diminishing and increasingly overgrown pavement beyond.

There is a sign indicating out footpath, which starts up a steep and slightly slippery bank to a stile. The first couple of fields were fairly dry, but once in the pastures the right of way gets increasingly muddy, the worst part being the area above a bridge over a stream. Beyond we follow the slope up to the hamlet of Astwith. Here we take the road half left and follow it out to the B6039.

The field path starts a little further left than the right of way line, taking a gap through a hedge and following the edge of the farmyard round, then bearing left across an area filled with some interesting old vehicles to a stile in the corner that leads to open arable fields. It is just about possible to stay on the grassy edge of the first field. Eventually there was no alternative to finding an unmarked line right across the ploughed clayfield and following the field edges over a stream and up to a stile.

Here we cross the Five Pits Trail, taking the farm track left down Timber Lane. I made a slight navigational error here, missing the path right into the field just beyond the farm buildings, but found a rough path up the bank (the dashed black line on the 1:25000 map) beyond the large field that saved me a walk back to the farm. The first field is a nice grassy pasture, but the two fields beyond were more ploughed clay, with little sign of a trodden path. The lower one down to Seanor Farm was more waterlogged, but fortunately I never sank too far into it.

At the farm we go left through the farmyard and follow the farm road out past the barns and another house to take the field path beyond to Parkhouse Road. Here we go right a short distance, then left on a path that took a bit of spotting but follows the high fence on the left hand side of the free range poultry run. We follow more field edges round to Hagghill Farm to pick up the road right over the railway into Danesmoor, where we take the surfaced path right past a school and through a park to emerge on the main road by the hospital. A short walk takes us up to the meeting point in the open space by the rail tunnel air vent.

There are no serious problems with this route, but if the weather has been at all wet, you should
expect to get very muddy and it is definitely worth wearing waterproof boots.

I walked Clay Cross to Glapwell after lots of rain so some paths were slippery although no deep mud. Cross field paths, stiles and potential for cattle. The plotting is good but the walked line is not always on the definitive line.

Leaving Clay Cross which could have a centrally located rail station, like London, underground. The exit route is determined by available crossing of another railway so is not direct but passes through a park between sections on roadside pavements.

Keep to the right at Hagghill Farm leading to the fenced path, here would benefit from extra waymarking. Cross the road for a path across pasture to Seanor Farm, the plot should take you between barns then a slight detour because another barn is on the line of the path. Cross field from here so the season and crop will determine ease of access. The path may not comply with Highway Act 1980 sec.134 so follow the plot.

At Timber Lane Farm the Slow Way meets a well used path that may not  show on older maps. This Byway Open to all Traffic (BOAT) appears unable to live up to the name but was being used by equestrians as I passed, it may offer a better route for this Slow Way.

Don't take the Five Pits Trail, just beyond is a stile into the field, not a well walked path. From the poorly waymarked stile at the crossing of path turn left, do not cross the stile. A twist and turn 'Walkers Welcome' leads around the farm to a busy road which is crossed directly, with care.

The quiet lane leads to Astwith. From the hamlet other Slow Ways either use an unnecessary detour south or a road to the north missing a delightful walk through tree studded pasture with views of Hardwick Halls. A short section of fast disappearing roadside footpath to pass under the motorway before entering Hardwick Park, the highlight of this walk.

Loos and a shop were both open midweek in November if needed. The Slow Way doesn't pass close to the halls but the parkland is wonderful, climbing out of the valley to leave by a lodge onto a track taking us to Ault Hucknall where the church exterior is worth a look even if the interior is closed.

Another section of quiet road walking then a direct if slippery cross field path to Glapwell where there is an inn, open midday and a bus shelter.

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