Droche three

Verified Slow Way

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I walked this route from Chesterfield at the end of January. Following the recent wet weather the paths were muddy, as you might expect. I enjoyed the way out of Chesterfield via residential streets and through Ashgate Park, Loundsley Green Park and Holmebrook Country Park. The path from Cutthorpe to Barlow, across the fields, was easy to follow. The tarmac and footpath takes you across the valley of Barlow Brook to reach the bridge over the A61. A gentle climb up through the trees to reach the golf course and then quiet roads to Dronfield and the train back to Chesterfield. Thoroughly enjoyable.

An enjoyable and straightforward jaunt from Chesterfield to Dronfield through country parks, farmland and woodland.

I walked the route in January and although wet in places, the path was in generally good condition with no areas of concern - whilst there are no stiles, anybody with mobility difficulties may struggle with the route between Cutthorpe and Barlow, but there is a road alternative to this stretch.

The walk starts in the historic town of Chesterfield where you get a great view of the twisted spire of Chesterfield cathedral, before proceeding through the town, past the traditional market square which still has a regular (daily in the week??) market and the majestic town hall.

The route then follows good quality paths that skirt through the housing estates to the West of Chesterfield with occassional stretches on roads before joining the dog walkers in Holmebrook Valley country park - where I was delighted to spot a group of Mergansers in the large lake.

The good quality path then climbs out of the country park, before a short stretch of road walking through Cutthorpe and then cutting through farmland and a small wooded copse with a narrow bridge across a stream over to the village of Barlow.

Hackney House cafe in Barlow is an unexpected delight and I would highly recommend a visit - either for their substantial breakfasts before 11:30 or homemade quiches, pies and cakes if you arrive later. If you have dogs, there are plenty of tables outside.

The path then continues along a quiet tarmacked lane to Monkwood Farm. The farm gives a very good impression that walkers aren't welcome with lots of warnings of private land and a large imposing metal electronic gate - however the footpath does continue through a not very obvious walkers gate just off to the side of the main gate.

The footpath then starts to climb to a footbridge that crossed over the busy A61 dual carriageway then through woodland and through Donfield's golf course before hitting residential streets for the descent into the town and the railway station.

All in all a very pleasant walk, made all the better by the cafe halfway!.

Walked from Chesterfield to Dronfield. A good, pretty and fairly direct route, but not always easy walking, there are hills, and the section through the wood south of Barlow is a little rough, with tree roots and steep sections that require care when wet.

Leaving the meeting point by the famous twisted spire church in Chesterfield, we go west along Burlington Street into the Market Place, turning right up Storesby Street, left along Rose Street and following the road right beyond the Town Hall. We turn left along Albion Road, left again on Foljambe Road and right onto Alexandra Road West. A surfaced path/cycle track takes us to a bridge over Holme Brook, beyond which we take the shortcut path to Chester Street, which we follow up to Ashgate Road, where we go left a short distance to find the surfaced footpath that follows the stream. There is a choice of paths here - my preference is to stay on the surfaced track rather than following the right of way lines. We follow the stream across a couple of roads (one of which has an underpass).

Beyond Loundsley Green road we take the wide path that skirts the edge of the parkland to the bridge over the stream where we turn right towards Holmebrook Lake. Here one can either proceed via the lakeside path (which has steps) or stay on the bridlepath (Brookwell Lane) which is easier but has a more restricted view. The main path turns right to go steeply uphill then left to emerge on Cutthorpe's Main Road, where we turn left. Just beyond a chapel we turn right on a signposted paths that follows field edges then goes more steeply into the wood, where the path is a little indistinct and crosses a lot of tree roots. Eventually you should see a little bridge down to the right, which we cross and go up the far side through muddy fields to reach Hackney Lane, which we follow through Barlow, where there is a pub, then straight on onto Furnace Lane, which takes a right turn and eventually leads us across Barlow Brook to the mill.

Beyond the mill, we go half right up the lane (the Private signs are for motor vehicles) up the hill, through the gate of Monkwood Farm and on along a narrower rougher track. Note that the track that leads right up to the footbridge is further west and a little steeper than the right of way line on the map. We cross the footbridge and follow the bridlepath up the hill through the wood and along the edge of the golf course to reach a surfaced road where we turn left over the top of the hill then down into the suburbs of Dronfield.

We turn right onto Salisbury Road, part of which is now just a footpath, and follow it right along the bottom of the golf course then left down the hill. We use a shortcut path, with steps (avoidable by staying on Salisbury Road a little further) down to Hallowes Lane, where we go left down the hill. The route continues to the west side of the railway station along Quoit Green and Lea Road and ends on the northbound platform - anyone wishing to reach the designated meeting point will have to cross the footbridge using steps.
[Note for anyone travelling south by train for whom steps may be a problem, it would probably be better to continue down Hallowes Lane and cross the railway on Chesterfield Road - the ramped path from Lea Road down to the east side of the station is currently closed for safety reasons.].

I walked Chesterfield to Dronfield on a hot day, the ground was dry but one section showed sign of flooding and had an uneven surface, otherwise the surface was good and excellent Chesterfield to Cutthorpe. No stiles and no cattle seen but some pasture fields so could be. A few points where navigational care is needed but generally easy.

From the crooked spire a walk along the shopping street then past the impressive Town Hall before urban streets to link with the cycle track along the Holme Brook which is signed Holmebrook Valley Park or Town Centre if walking into Chesterfield.

The path runs along the edge of the park with back gardens to one side before turning to cross the brook to pass alongside a lake then steps up to the bridle path, the steps can be avoided but misses the lakeside path. The park fades out before entering Cutthorpe, there's an Inn here just off route.

From here it's proper field paths before it enters a wood and here it may be wet at times and tree roots offer grip or trip. Barlow has an inn a tea shop or ample seats in the churchyard so a good place for a break.

Furnace Lane is shown as a bridleway but on the ground it's a metalled road which serves a small settlement, I met no traffic. Take the drive to Monkwood Farm where the gates may intimidate but a side gate allows access. The roar of traffic on the bypass is now apparent. Watch for a well used path right off the main track which leads to a spiral ramped bridge hidden in the trees.

Over the bridge there are multiple paths so care is needed but it's basically up hill on the bridleway to discover a golf course on the left. It's now approaching the edge of Dronfield along quiet roads, through Quoit Green and a mix of interesting buildings. Take the ramp down to platform two for the meeting point. Cross the footbridge to reach platform one and the main road.

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