Overall it's a really nice walk and takes in some rolling beautiful countryside. There aren't many other facilities on the way but it's not a long route. It was possible to stick to the hedge though and walk round given field edges were broad enough....

Truffle

Nice and straightforward walk easy to follow directions. Quirky shed cafe at the end if you make a slight diversion in the village...

Douglap

Would have been 4 stars without the long walk into Yoxall on the road, very busy with no pavement and some quite steep sides to the road - so no option to step out of they way of traffic, doing it again I would follow YOXBUR2 and cut off onto a less busy road and more field footpaths. But very scenic walk and for the time of year not too muddy....

Frances S

The missing link here is a direct Slow Way Burton to Derby which would be far better along the canal to Swarkestone then the cycle route using the old Derby canal route. I walked from Hilton which after a short section of estate road goes off road along a popular dog walking cycle track. After the fourth bridge the cycle track has cross the canal and runs alongside but separate from the towpath, this is a bonded surface so may be an option if you don’t mind sharing it with bikes....

Ken

I walked this route from Hilton to Burton using public transport at either end.It is good direct route,leaving Hilton and crossing the Derby/Crewe train line(manned level crossing)passing Derby Airport the route crosses several fields and on to Eggington.A track can then be used to access the A38(any road sections do have a pavement but care is needed on the A38 section as it is a cycle route and offers no protection from fast moving commercial and general traffic which pass ) crossing the A38 at Clay mills bridge and joining the canal (Trent and Mersey)heading towards Burton on Trent.Leaving the canal at Shobnall It is a straightforward walk to the finish at Burton on trent railway station.There were no access or obstruction issues...

J w ollid

There is a section of cycle lane alongside the A38, a noisy and not particularly enjoyable section, but preferable to the alternatives of lane walking, or trying to cross it. A cycle lane running parallel is set slightly higher and away from the towpath and can be preferable, but dodging cyclists can be an issue here....

David Sanderson

Mostly fine, but a section of the path east of Oversetts Road was blocked by a sturdy metal fence, so I had to retreat and find an alternative via Meadow View Road and the path that goes south from Almond Grove. From Burton station we head east down Station Road, then turn right where it ends on High Street. We go left then branch right on the roughly surfaced Woodview Road, which becomes an unsurfaced path once beyond the older houses....

Hugh Hudson

I've nothing to add to the previous reviews from Ken and David, other than that there was a lot of vegetation on the day we walked the route....

danravenellison

Some paths need more use so let's hope the inclusion in the Slow Way network helps to encourage more users to get out some nice paths....

Ken

Some sections have great views, earlier in the walk, you can see south across the Trent Valley to Lichfield and Cannock Chase. Later you can see Northeast across the Trent Valley (the route turns north of where the the river turns). This route undulates a lot, including the magical woodland walk into Burton....

David Sanderson

We cross the river Swarbourn on a footbridge by a ford then head into the woods on a good track, which is easier to follow than the right of way line. Beyond the A515 we cross another wood and head across fields on a fairly well marked path (with more overgrown field boundaries). At Lodge Lane we turn sharp left and follow a track through fields, then an overgrown path (low-lying bramble shoots and nettles) through a wood. We reach Rangemore Hill easily enough and follow the verge up to the shortcut path, then follow Tatenhill Common right, taking advantage of the National Forest Way permissive path north of the road....

Hugh Hudson

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....

J w ollid

Leaving the bus station the road is busy but there are light controlled crossing. A path behind houses gradually changes to a rough road before meeting the main road. The route passes the college and then in the town all the major bus stops before heading off to the railway station which I suggest is not the best place in Burton for the meeting place....

Ken

We follow this road into Stretton and turn left onto the old railway, which has a good surfaced track. Here we turn left and follow the pavement through the village and just beyond St Mary's Church, turning right onto Marston Lane. We follow another footpath on the far side, then follow Uttoxeter Road right into Hilton, taking the right branch (Egginton Lane) where it forks....

Hugh Hudson

The route along the canal is clear, though it does cross the canal three times (four if you count the bridge at Alrewas)....

Hugh Hudson

It's a short walk to Hanbury from there and beyond the village the path crosses open fields to Draycott in the Clay, where the route passes a farm shop and a pub. After a few more sheep filled fields, the route joins the pavement of the main road to Marchington. This section was not comfortable, and it definitely costs the route a star but the traffic was light enough and sensible enough to not deem this 300m section too dangerous to walk. However, the quality of the infrastructure is poor and the road walk between Marchington and Hound Hill could not be described as enjoyable or relaxing....

David Sanderson

Nice easy navigational walk this one but spoilt by the traffic noise on the A38 which is alongside for a long distance. Away from that it's a delight but beware the canal uses the RiverTrent between Wychnor and Alrewas the pictures show what it can be like and the towpath may be flooded. At the Burton end there is a route north of Shobnall from the towpath through quite roads to the Town Hall which avoids the busy road....

Ken

Yoxbur 2 avoids this and took us instead through the pleasant Yoxall Community Allotments and Woodland....

Ken

A thoroughly enjoyable Slow Way comprising of countryside walking, a small section of road, a park, and canal towpath into Burton. The Yoxall end starts well, using the National Forest Way and a series of paths to bypass a highly dangerous section of the B5016....

David Sanderson

A good country walk so, mud, stiles, sheep perhaps cattle and deer. The path climbs moving into a ploughed field from where good views could be had back across the Trent valley to Cannock Chase. A road walk alongside the tall garden wall before we enter fields which fencing suggests are grazed by deer, but no sightings today. The path has been diverted and runs alongside the road but in the field, it was unsigned when we passed?...

Ken

This really marks the beginning of the 2nd flat part of the walk the more commercial and urban, gravel pits first then forward to the Trent and Mersey canal and a pub beside the bridge gaining access to the towpath taking the walk towards Burton....

dave smith

The stretch through Alrewas is extremely short before joining the canal, and it sticks on that same canal all the way to Burton....

mtormey

We walked from Melbourne to Burton via Repton....

Lynn Jackson

This route is longer by 2 miles than Burmel2 and is not accurately plotted leading to some difficult navigation decisions or failure to make the correct decision especially around Carver's Rocks where there are many paths not shown on the maps....

Ken

As Ken's review details, there is a section of this walk that is not accessible to the public. I will post a walkable version as the route is not completely without merit...

David Sanderson

This is "a" route between Burton and Melbourne. The section by Staunton Harold Reservoir is a pleasant and well maintained walk. A nature reserve follows which makes for a pleasant woodland walk, although the route can be a challenge to follow here. Having crossed the long Burton Bridge over the Trent, we went to the excellent Burton Bridge Inn....

David Sanderson

I enjoyed the walk, passing two reservoirs and their facilities plus the interest of Carver's Rocks, a small detour to Hangman's Stone, Bretby Castle and some good views, even on a misty December day. The difference between 11 and 13 miles is not so much when you are more likely walking between Burton and Melboure for pleasure not need....

Ken

Burmel One is a winding route that takes in both Staunton Harold and Foremark Reservoirs. It is pretty as a stand-alone walk for its own sake, but it is too long and meandering to be considered a through route between Burton-on-Trent and Melbourne. From Melbourne the route heads south on the B587 for a short way before heading south-west onto footpaths around Staunton Harold Reservoir....

Lynn Jackson

Pretty direct, some very good path and track surfaces, no signs of extreme mud, excellent views looking north. 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. Well not quite, a section of busy road with safe pavement was necessary to reach real open countryside on a Bridle Path to Milton. 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. After liquid refreshment in the pleasant surroundings of the Burton Bridge Inn we continued along the off road route. A good walk enhanced by good company....

Ken

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!...

mtormey

Leaving the village via a series of footpaths there is a brief bit of pavement walking, before the route leads you into farmland. Throughout this open part of the walk, there are views north across the Trent Valley. The final section follows the footpath next to the Trent and then the main road to the station....

David Sanderson

Joining the Trent and Mersey Canal at Shobnall Marina, then the towpath takes you as far as the last couple of hundred metres of the walk. If you are feeling adventurous you can make a short excursion to Barton Marina at the half way point (6km) where there are numerous restaurants, pubs, cafes and even a cinema cafe....

David Sanderson

Great concept but comes a cropper where a short cut in Stapenhill runs smack bang into a new housing development and is impassable. Suffers from very bad plotting at the Swadlincote end but this will all be fixed in Burswa Two...

David Sanderson

Passing through the college (literally) you then cross the Washlands and then the Trent by the Stapenhill Viaduct, a magical raised piece of engineering which allows a traffic free walk above the greenery and the river. From here you cross the B5353 then follow a series of paths passing construction sites for new houses until you cross a foot bridge....

David Sanderson

There is an alternative route using a footpath which I will submit shortly avoiding this very unsafe section....

David Sanderson