Droeck two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked from Dronfield. This is an excellent countryside walk.

Walked from Eckington to Dronfield. Most of this route is enjoyable, but there are two sections that are more like an assault course - the aforementioned holloway (which wasn't wet enough to cause me much trouble) and the path up the hill from Greenside which is narrow and horribly overgrown.

I agree with Ken that the choice of meeting point for Eckington (a pavement just beyond the post office with no benches or other facilities) is bizarre and indefensible, but we are where we are and it is the right end of the village for this route, which starts up Berry Avenue, and beyond the hill we continue down an alleyway path to reach the edge of the village, where we turn left along Back Lane. Beyond the houses we take the farm lane half right, then follow the little path to the left up the hill. In places the locals seem to have opted to walk in the adjacent fields rather than keeping the path clear, which complicates the navigation a little. Eventually we find ourselves in a large garden, where our path goes slightly right into a farmyard and up to Ford Road.

Here we turn right, then follow the footpath sign up the drive of a house and around the corner to join a better used path that crosses a horse pasture to reach School Lane. Beyond the path continues over the brow of the hill and down through hay fields. At Birchwood Lane we go a short distance left over a stream then continue down and then up to reach Main Road.

I tried to follow the shortcut path as per the GPX but failed to find the way through the hedge from the garden to the lane, so instead I continued to the second path, which starts on a lane but deteriorates higher up - a narrow strip through nettles, brambles and other undergrowth alongside a stream. Just before Snowdon Lane we cross the stream and go up through bracken. We turn right then left along a byway which is no more than a narrow path - the rest of the old lane is covered in undergrowth.

We leave the byway left on a path that is fenced off from the field and passes holly bushes, then a stile takes us into the field and around the airstrip (I didn't see any planes moving but there was one on the ground). Above the little wood, once the airstrip fence ends, there is nothing to prevent the direct line down being taken rather than the right of way, and we reach Summerley Lane down steps and turn left to find the next path. We go right at Summerley Lower Road then follow it past the farm before taking the footpath left across two fields and along the edge of two more to reach the holloway.

Having investigated the path alongside the fence, I decided it was too overgrown with holly and brambles and decided to try my luck with the holloway, which was almost dry if a little narrow, so fairly easy. Lower down we join a tarmac road which takes us into an industrial estate, then follow Callywhite Lane and Chesterfield Road to the meeting point outside Dronfield station.

I walked this Slow Way on a Sunday afternoon and, overall, was impressed.

The route has to work initially to escape from Eckington but, sensibly, takes a direct route from the High Street, heading north until hitting Back Lane running along the northern edge of the town. The Slow Way then heads west on well-defined paths with only a couple of short stretches of road thrown in to link the various paths. One of my highlights (or lowlights, depending on your perspective) was being hissed by a couple of guard-geese in Bramley Hall Farm!

From a scenery point-of-view, the vista that opened up to the north of Shady Hall was spectacular and - as someone not familar with the area - unexpected.

The only unpleasant stretch of road was Snowdon Road but, on this occasion, the impact of the traffic was mitigated by wide verges that allowed me to get off the road when cars approached.

The only time I missed my way while walking three Slow Ways on this day was on Bridle Lane but this was almost certainly due to me looking up and enjoying the walk rather than staring at my phone and therefore not noticing the turning.

However, there is a slight kick in the tail that lost this route a point, at least on the day I walked the route. From Elm Tree Farm down in to Dronfield that Slow Way follows a hollow way that should be delightful. However, as my penultimate photo attempts to show, it was mud-filled to the extent that I would have baulked at attempting it in hiking boots, let alone the trainers that had kept my feet dry all day. Wellies might have been fine. There were paths to either side of the hollow way but they did involve becoming rather better acquainted with a plethora of holly bushes than was ideal.

So...

Would I walk it again? yes, definitely
Would I recommend it? yes, but I'd also recommend either better footwear than I used - or a different route in/out of Dronfield
Is it reasonably safe? Yes, the stretch on the fast road has wide verges. Beware of slips and slides in the hollow way section though! And the holly.
Is it accurate? As far as I can see
Does it have access issues? I can't see this being suitable for wheelchairs or most buggies. Some sports/running buggies might manage it.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the walk and the chance to review it for Slow Ways.

I walked from Eckington lots of stiles but not many ploughed fields so potential for cattle although more likely horses. Some services just off route at Marsh Lane but nothing else. Care is needed at some points so check a detailed map before setting out. Sections of road are not an issue. An enjoyable country walk thanks to Paul for making improvements.

The meeting place at Eckington is most inappropriate but serves this walk well although the steady climb if you started from the town centre and bus station continues. A short road section soon leads to the pleasant Back Lane no traffic on the green track which has the backs of houses to one side and what appears to be green access land to the other.

The route at Marsh Lane could be simplified and improved but was fine. Back in real countryside there were sheep in the fields and electric fences to control their grazing, our crossing points could have been better. The views here are good through the rolling fields.

At Greenside, again a simplification of the route would aid navigation. The grass airstrip marked on the map is still in use but no sign of flights as I passed. The finger post sign at the west end appears to cut off a short extension of the definitive line.

At the end of the next path I was intrigued by the circular stone pillar with a metal fitting on the top, any suggestions what it might have been? Summerley offers an imposing hall and other buildings but no services. From here the path starts well across a horse paddock cutting the corner off the green lane. When we meet the lane it's a deep muddy hollow way but the map suggests the footpath is alongside although any higher level path becomes badly overgrown and a link into the hollow way is steep.

The final approach into Dronfield is scruffy industrial, there is a pavement if it's not in use as a car park. One ray of light is Wm. Lees who it appears still carry on the tradition of making things with metal. The Dronfield meeting place needs a tweak onto a pleasant small area of grass between the southbound platform and the road where there is a seat.

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