Matalf one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

Navigation is a bit tricky to the north west of Hollybush Farm, as indicated by the review from Hugh. A winter walk in long trousers may discover the faint short path that leads to the path following the stream on the west side of the hedge. Coming from Matlock it's easier because where this path turns right and crosses the stream, don't cross the stream, our route turns left onto the short faint path and heads for Hollybush Farm building. While the online interpretation of the path position shows it on a narrow and at times precarious path west of the hedge the base map also shows a path east of the hedge in the field and this may be a better route for this Slow Way to use. Having looked at the Definitive Map, copy uploaded, it's impossible to see which side of the hedge the path should be. So with other flexible path locations in this area there should be no issue using this better unobstructed route in the field.

Walked from Matlock to Alfreton. Mostly excellent, but badly let down by a couple of little used and overgrown sections. It appears that at Hollybush Farm most users of this path stay in the field and use the farm track - the old route/right of way line up from the other path by the stream (which I think is the one Ken mentions missing) is not marked on the ground and appears to be blocked by impenetrable undergrowth - I gave up on it and walked down Pit Lane instead.

The other slightly problematic path is the one from Dethick Lane to High Lane - the entrance to the field from Dethick Lane would have been invisible had it not been for the footpath sign and required some determination. So the dilemma is whether to flag it or snail it - on reflection I have decided to remove the flag, as neither of the two alternatives is clearly better, and this route would be a good one if the issues were cleared.

As you leave Matlock station, the building work on the Derwent flood defences still dominates the scene (and blocks the riverside path). The nearside pavement of the Derwent bridge is closed to pedestrians, so you either take your chances at the lights or go a little further to find a pelican crossing. Either way you soon leave the road to walk through the park, then climb a steep street to reach Old Matlock. The path up to Riber castle is steep but good, with solid stone steps and a handrail in the steeper sections. The views from the top are rewarding, and you are soon on an easier but less popular descent towards Tansley. There is one point where a left turn could easily be missed, so keep an eye on the map. The first of many stiles, squeeze stiles and stone step stiles are encountered here.

There are pubs at Tansley (not yet in the middle third, but these are the last possible refreshment stops before South Wingfield). The main road has a pavement on the left/north side, and we soon leave it to head up Thatchers Lane to find the footpath up the hill, which has a few steps and more stiles. We turn left up Cunnery Lane, and once the wood is reached it is easier to use the unofficial path along the right hand wall of the wood than to find the old right of way line (I did the latter and it is rougher and steeper). A stone step stile takes us out of the wood onto a field path with fine views, which becomes Green Lane.

A left turn takes us up Dethick Lane. Fortunately there is a sign where we leave it, as the hole in the hedge is diminishing rapidly and the path through the undergrowth beyond needs more walkers (photo 8 is looking back through this). With a little persistence and determination you will reach High Lane, where we turn right along a road that is surprisingly busy. We soon leave it along the quiet Wheatcroft Lane, which descends across the escarpment through the hamlet. Watch out for the footpath, which starts off down an overgrown old lane and continues across field edges, then heads right (across a ploughed field yesterday). We follow field edges around to a stream. This is where I think I missed a trick, as the path we need to take is more often accessed using the farm track through the field before the stream rather than the old right of way line which followed the path to Pit Lane through the trees. This path is fine for those heading for Pig Lane, but at the point where the right of way turns up to the left past Hollybush Farm I found nothing but apparently impenetrable undergrowth (see photo 12!) and no sign to show the correct line. Since I was wearing shorts I didn't try to force a way, so I took a detour out to Pig Lane and walked down to Moorwood Moor Lane missing a short section of the route.

The path over to South Wingfield is better, though it did involve one ploughed field and a few more nettles and brambles. We turn right along High Road and use the shortcut path to descend to Church Lane, where as Ken says the walls are imposing. There is a pavement on the left/north side most of the way to the church, but take care on the narrow bridge just before the churchyard where there is no space for a pavement.

We pass through the churchyard right of the church and continue out to the railway bridge (most people use the diagonal shortcut across the last field). We continue straight ahead, and it is easier to ignore the map and stay right of the hedge to reach Chesterfield Road past a pub car park.

The way forward is a little further left than the right of way line (which passes through the houses!). We then go a short distance along the lane to find the path into the field. From here the path up through Alfreton Park is good, though there are more stiles, mostly modern metal ones, some of them slightly warped. We pass through the churchyard and follow the streets down to the meeting point at the bus station. I am not sure why there were umbrellas suspended over Institute Lane (photo 15).

This should be a 5-star route, and would be if the paths were better used, maintained and waymarked. There are plenty of fine views and the scenery is varied, but it is quite hard work.

This is a country walk with some great views of the excellent countryside that it passes through. There are stiles, some narrow, others to climb, cattle and potential for mud. There are inns on route but no shops and the inns may not be open so I recommend that this ten mile walk is planned taking food, water and walking footwear. The area offers a number of route choices which I would recommend exploring depending on your need to take a break along the way. There had been a lot of rain so my experience is not the norm for this walk.

The exit from Alfreton is one of the best departures that I know with a rapid change from town to country at the churchyard. The track is easy walking and some metal stiles looked good when installed but can sustain damage which must be from farm vehicles. The view of countryside that awaits us is good and in the sunshine the first Inn is clearly visible. A sign at the road warns that the derelict farm buildings are for sale as a 'development opportunity'.

At a crossing, by bridge, of the railway I had planned to suggest a small diversion. However a flooded gateway on the Slow Way forced me to make the detour passing Wingfield station which dates from the opening of the line in 1840, it's Grade II* and is being restored by the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust.

South Wingfield has an inn plus a shop which sells food for your four legged companion. The high supporting walls surrounding the road are walked with some trepidation when the many repairs are inspected. Seats at the recreation ground are unfortunately not accessible from the footpath.

The next section starts with a path along the edge of a ploughed field then into pasture. These paths offer a very pleasant walk to Wheatcroft but there is one spot where the path invisibly crosses a cropped field, the plot is good so stick with it. I missed a well walked path by a stream unwittingly taking the parallel field edge farm track which was more visible.

It's a climb along a green lane into the hamlet of Wheatcroft and the ascent continues on the road of departure. The road walking here was fine with a verge if required to allow traffic priority. The footpath link had little evidence of use, perhaps because the required road walk puts leisure walkers off. Green Lane is a wide firm footpath which may well have higher status as the name suggests. The north end enters a small copse where the path is less well defined on the ground.

I have resisted describing alternative routes but here I would suggest missing Tansley unless you wish to visit the inn. If you do visit there is a better route to Matlock which avoids the climb to Riber. If you don't need a break at Tansley then the view from Riber is well worth including so I suggest heading west along the road then a direct footpath off Carr Lane.

On the Slow Way the path becomes well walked dropping into Tansley where it passes the inn but this takes us on a narrow pavement alongside a busy road. The path from the road climbs to Riber across pasture and while views of the turreted castle had been inviting since Wheatcroft it's now hiding behind trees.

The hamlet of Riber doesn't have a view of the castle unlike Matlock where it is ever present watching over the town. The narrow fenced path keeps the walker at arm's length from the slow and spasmodic attempts to find a profitable use for the folly.

After the disappointment failing to view the castle we are rewarded by a stunning panorama of Matlock below us. Sit on the grass or a little further down a bench and pick out landmarks known or perhaps new before making the steep descent and a walk through the old town, Matlock Green and across the park missing the final yards of this Slow Way unless you have a train to catch.

This a good route that we took as the first leg of a longer circular walk: Alfreton - Matlock, Matlock - Crich, Crich - Alfreton.
Our start was from the Travelodge in Alfreton so was just slightly longer than the 10 miles.
Points to note:
The directions were mostly clear and easy to follow, there are one or two parts half way through that you just have to think about as the footpaths are through arable fields and the paths/exits are not always obvious.
The route is on tracks, fields and a small amount of road walking.
There are quite a number of stiles of various sorts, some of the pinch ones are very tight.
We came across sheep, cows and horses in a few fields, so just a bit of care needed.
Facilities are limited along the way, so you will need water, snacks and depending on when you go and how quick you walk lunch?
This is mainly open countryside with great views.
Fantastic views when you reach the castle and look down into Matlock.
The decent into Matlock is very steep on mainly a cobbled path.
The walk down made the tea and carrot cake in the Cafe in the Park even more enjoyable.
Overall this was a very enjoyable walk, that I would highly recommend.

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