Connect Melbourne (South Derbyshire) with Slow Ways
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Give a hike!Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Derbyshire
Slow Ways linking Melbourne (South Derbyshire) and Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Borrowash, Breaston, Burton upon Trent, Coalville, Derby, Hilton (South Derbyshire), Kegworth, Shepshed, Swadlincote
England / Derbyshire / Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Melbourne (South Derbyshire)’s ten Slow Ways are 70% checked
Help connect Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Melbourne (South Derbyshire)’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Melbourne (South Derbyshire) from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
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Ashby-de-la-Zouch—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Ashmel one |
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3 X |
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Enjoy me | Distance 12km/8mi | Ascent 160m | Descent 216m | ||
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Burton upon Trent—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Burmel one |
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U U |
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Review me | Distance 21km/13mi | Ascent 391m | Descent 368m | |
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Burton upon Trent—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Burmel two |
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U U |
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Survey me | Distance 18km/11mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
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Burton upon Trent—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Burmel three |
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U U |
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Verify me | Distance 22km/13mi | Ascent 563m | Descent 545m | ||
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Derby—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Dermel one |
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U U |
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Survey me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 68m | Descent 85m | |
Hilton (South Derbyshire)—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Hilmel one |
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3 X |
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Pioneer me | Distance 17km/11mi | Ascent 204m | Descent 198m | ||
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Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Borrowash
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Melbor one |
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2 X |
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Enjoy me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent 102m | Descent 88m | ||
Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Borrowash
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Melbor two |
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3 X |
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Review me | Distance 15km/10mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
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Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Breaston
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Melbre one |
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3 X |
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Enjoy me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 84m | Descent 57m | ||
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Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Coalville
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Melcoa one |
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U U |
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Review me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 156m | Descent 245m | ||
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Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Coalville
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Melcoa two |
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2 X |
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Verify me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
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Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Kegworth
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Melkeg one |
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4 X |
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Review me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent 182m | Descent 163m | ||
Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Kegworth
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Melkeg two |
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U U |
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Review me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
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Melbourne (South Derbyshire)—Shepshed
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Melshe one |
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4 X |
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Verify me | Distance 14km/8mi | Ascent 224m | Descent 223m | ||
Swadlincote—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Swamel one |
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U U |
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Double check | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 204m | Descent 233m | |
Swadlincote—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Swamel two |
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U U |
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Pioneer me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 271m | Descent 244m | ||
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Swadlincote—Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
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Swamel three |
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U U |
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Survey me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Melbourne (South Derbyshire) and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
68% of Melbourne (South Derbyshire)’s ten route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
17/17
15/17
8/17
6/17
12 people have contributed to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)’s Slow Ways
2 people have pledged to walk and review a route
9 people have surveyed a route in Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
227km out of 259km have been walked and reviewed
599km of reviews have been shared in Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Latest Updates
Hugh Hudson took this photo on Ashmel one
Walk this routeWe meet the road and turn right along a tarmacked farm lane almost immediately, then follow the footpath sign left along the edge of the trees. We are now in very popular walking country, and we follow the main track left up the hill (right of the right of way line), and a very well cut field path takes us over the top and past a farmhouse before we take a sharp right turn on a narrower path that dips to cross a stream and climbs to a lane the other side. The path straight on towards the water tower is well marked used with obvious stiles, but does not follow the right of way line across the final field, using a straight line instead. Rather than doubling back to the water tower, we continue along the field edge to Robinson's Hill, where we turn right using the good pavement on the right hand side, then left up Ashby Road and right onto a partly surfaced field path which follows the bottom of a wood then rises to Penn Lane, where we go straight across to follow the fenced footpath into the centre of Melbourne....
Hugh Hudson
Excellent to Ticknall then it goes down hill a little as paths are not so well walked but easy to follow with a good plot. Nice finish through the park at Swadlincote. Talented knitters doing post box toppers....
Ken
Starting at the square in Melbourne, we go west a short distance to find the path alongside the churchyard, then follow the lane left most of the way back to the Church Street. At the last bend left, follow what looks like an access path to the right hand house and you will find a gap under the upper floor of the houses that leads to an alleyway and the main village church. Just beyond the south end of the lake we leave the well trodden track to go straight on through the fields, with a few stiles, on a path that is well marked. An easy ford takes us across the stream takes us to the trodden but otherwise unmarked that leads up to Burney Lane, where we go straight across using two slightly constrained stiles. In the first field, an ungrazed pasture, the best trodden path is not the right of way, so look out for the stile to the left. The path south from Stoney Lane starts clearly enough, but I completely lost it in an area of horse stables and parked farm vehicles and ended up taking the lane left and climbing a locked gate to reach Bakewell Lane....
Hugh Hudson
Some lovely countryside and a good mix of paths lots of stiles, mostly good quality but quite high. I started from Coalville, taking the road that dips under the railway. There is a link from Wolsley Road but crossing here from the steps is not recommended. Another inn / restaurant on Rempstone Road then a section along this busy road which does have a good grass verge. Taking the next path we join the Ivanhoe Way but it’s not the best maintained Leicestershire promoted route. Crossing under the A42 the next road is quite busy and fast but again has a wide verge....
Ken
Ken added Melcoa two, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Coalville
Walk this routeA scenic walk very much over fields and through some woodland, some small distances on roads until the walk into Coalville but that is on good pavements with pedestrian crossings so not in any way dangerous....
Frances S
Turn right onto Station Road, and you are now leaving old Melbourne, although the area here isn't unpleasant. This suggested route indicates leave the line at Forty Foot Lane to get up to Melbourne Road. This might not be advisable if conditions are muddy or if you are on “wheels” as the Lane is cross country & from memory I believe getting off the line to the lane is not paved, and additionally at the other end of the lane Melbourne Road does not have a pavement and is a busy, fast road. This is a road, but even if an event is on it is relatively quiet if all the attendees are in the track perimeter. Head up the entrance road until the track perimeter wall is in front of you, then turn right following the road. Leave the Donington Park site onto the East Midlands airport perimeter road (turn left). East Midlands Airport north perimeter:. Walking along the perimeter road, on your left you will see a road ramp up to a field gate. Turn left down towards Donington down Hill Top / High Street until you get to the Nag’s Head Inn (popular on sunny days with a good outside seating area) and turn right onto Diseworth Road. At the end of the road (no pavement but road only used by plane spotters) you are at one of the prime aircraft spotting points at one of the airport perimeter gates. Turn left here and you will be on the perimeter track....
finbarrinz
Hugh Hudson took this photo on Swamel three
Walk this routeWhere this ends and we join Midland Road, we cross and go past the war memorial into the park, then follow the main path up the hill. We rejoin the old lane below the farm and follow it over a bridge, that was shallowly flooded when I walked it, and just before we reach the road we branch right and follow field boundaries (more stiles) before being forced left past a farm where the footpath has been diverted. We follow an obvious path through more mud to cross the stream and climb to Broadstone Lane, then go straight on onto the unremittingly muddy but well signposted path that heads directly to the tower above the Staunton Harold reservoir car park. From the tower we descend a zigzagging surfaced path, then use the access road to reach Ashby Road - stay on the west side here if you want a continuous pavement, which leads easily to the Melbourne meeting point in the Market Place....
Hugh Hudson
We cross to the field path beyond, which is a little muddy in places and has a couple of stiles, following it right to emerge on Trent Lane just before the old railway bridge, where a good surfaced track takes us onto the Cloud Trail, an NCN cycletrack that takes us most of the way into Derby. Having crosses under the A514 and the Castle Donington goods railway line, we take the lane right at Swarkestone lock, following the Cloud Trail cycletrack along the path of the Derby canal. Our route follows the old canal line under the bridge, but there is a pub (New Bridge Inn) a short distance left along Derby Road and a Co-Op a little further. There would normally be a pedestrian route by the car park by the bus station, but this area is currently coned off for building work, so if using the route literally the best thing is to cross to the right hand end of the bus station then walk through the bus station. There are two better alternatives for this final section, one is to leave the riverside path at the railway bridge and head down Siddals Road, or (slightly longer but free of road crossings) stay by the river under Holmes Bridge and follow the Boulevard to the meeting point by the bus station....
Hugh Hudson
I walked this path from Melbourne to Breaston. There was plenty of soft mud on the ground on the route out of Melbourne and the canal towpath, but nothing deep or wet; certainly nothing to worry about with sturdy shoes. The second troublesome section was the Coffin Walk approach to Breaston, which was flooded edge-to-edge (and beyond) in several sections; water at least 5cm deep in places (probably deeper, I wasn’t about to step into the middle and check), and thick, sucking mud. (I ate lunch on another comfortable bench about 1km from Shardlow, though unfortunately, also in earshot of the noisy A50.) Please note, however, that north of Shardlow there are no opportunities to sit for the last 5km of the walk, until arrival in Breaston village (where there’s a small park at the north end of the market place with some benches). The only other amenities along the route are in the only significant settlement the route passes through: the old canal port village of Shardlow, about a third of the way from the Breaston end of the walk....
Chris Chapman
David Sanderson took this photo on Swamel three
Walk this routeMainly follows footpaths across agricultural land but follows pavements through the villages of Ticknall and Hartshorne which both offer refreshment stops. I've altered the route to follow marked tracks but not where the track isn't marked, as it might change....
David Sanderson
David Sanderson added Swamel three, a new walk from Swadlincote to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeIt should be an easy walk as there is a pavement alongside all the roads, that's the good news. Much as I hate to say this but the section of field path at Thulston spoilt the walk so I'd recommend staying on the road which has a pavement....
Ken
Started walking this one from Melbourne to Kegworth, but was forced to abandon because the FP20 path through the west end of Donington Park was closed and partly fenced off due to preparations for the download festival. No problems with the path to Castle Donington or the road walk through it, though apart from a Spar just off route I didn't spot any facilities. Beyond, Donington Park seems very full of metal fencing, and the narrow path around the high perimeter fence of the race track is overgrown, little used, a little muddy at times and not very pretty A little slightly unpleasant road walking (mostly in a 40 mph zone but limited verge space) takes us to the old station, beyond which a simple pavement walk takes us to the meeting point....
Hugh Hudson
I agree with Ken that it might have been more sensible to plot the route through Belton so that it passes the pub and the shop, but the line along Presents Lane and School Lane is easy and we are soon out in the fields. I lost concentration here, missed a turn and went almost a mile along the footpath that continues to the west, but the mistake was soon corrected and it was easy enough the get back to the right route using a shortcut path. Where the path turns right to head up to School Lane, I struggled to find the way into the field - there are gates but these were securely tied with string, so I explored around the corner and found what appeared to be a better gate, but failed to spot the low barbed wire fence beyond it and it tripped me up. No serious damage done, the rest of the path to School Lane is fine. We use the shortcut path to cut the corner on the way down, which is steep and does not follow the right of way line into the quarry!...
Hugh Hudson
From the meeting point at Breaston, we cross Main Road (there is a pelican crossing a few yards east) then take the lane right of the church yard and follow the field path right, crossing a few stiles to join Coffin Walk path to reach the railway bridge, where there is a choice of ramps or steps on both sides. At Wilne Road we turn right, and just beyond a right turn we take the footpath left to reach a footbridge across the Derwent, then cross a large open sheep pasture to reach the gate at the end of Wilne Lane. We cross the church yard and the stile beyond and turn right to reach Packhorse Road, where we turn left and follow the roads more or less straight on to the meeting point in Melbourne market place....
Hugh Hudson
From Shardlow there is an adequate but muddy path across the fields and a couple of short stretches of road through the Wilnes....
StephenWalker
Then onto the line of the Derby Canal, which provides a nice green line through the outer housing estates....
StephenWalker
Helen Fitzgerald pledged to walk Ashmel one
Walk this routeThis 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
Then we cross the road and take to the river bank. A good path follows the flood bank on the south side of the river Derwent (signed the Derwent Valley Heritage Way (DVHW)). The construction of the A50 has disrupted the path network here and we are diverted eastwards before climbing steep steps onto the road bridge over the dual carriageway. South of the bridge a footpath leads eastward and emerges in to the village of Aston-on-Trent (refreshments)....
StephenWalker
There is a mix of well walked and lesser used paths plus a section cycle route along a quiet lane. Beyond here most other walkers have found an alternative route and we are left to follow the plot on invisible paths across large fields but clues are found along the way so don't despair. Here the plot misses a trick and ignores the inn and convenience store in sight but just off route, it could go via the church and Market Place. From here it's a cycle route which on my map looked to be an unmade lane but is now a good surface so it does attract some traffic....
Ken
Ken added Melbor two, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Borrowash
Walk this routeWe follow the road a long way, over the railway, canal and Derwent, past several entrances to the Elvaston Castle grounds and through Elvaston village and into Thulston. We follow this road out of Aston and through Weston, leaving it just beyond the railway to turn left down Park Lane, taking the right branch where it splits, then following the path to the church. I was misled by Google maps into believing that the farm track just before the railway might offer a shortcut, but this didn't work either and I ended up following Bridge Lane over the railway to Swarkestone Road, which I followed left as far as the bridge under the railway. We cross the Trent and fork right up to Trent Lane, then follow an obvious field path right that takes us onto Main Street, Here we cross and go slightly left to find the footpath opposite which leads to the cemetery and onto Packhorse Road, where we turn left and half right into Chapel Street for the Market Place meeting point....
Hugh Hudson
The route followed the path of Melbor 1 for the first mile, onto the Derby-Ashby railway cycle track and the Pocklington section of the Trent-Mersey Canal. There are different canal bridges of all shapes and sizes to pass under, and the canal locks were in constant use. From Shardlow I took a left turn away from the canal, onto a quiet road through Great Wilne, into fields and across a foot-bridge over the Derwent to get onto The Midshires Way....
Lynn Jackson
Chris Hills added Melkeg two, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Kegworth
Walk this routePassing the old mill tower the correct line of the footpath is ignored by all including the landowner who has posted notices 'keep to the path' on the line of poles, so follow the crowd. Well walked at White Leys but not quite on line, but this is Derbyshire. The embankment at Heath End was the Ticknall tramway but the link is a scramble so best use this short section of road. Heath End once had an Inn, The Saracen’s Head, now a private house and the footpath to it has been diverted. The countryside across Old Parks continues to delight with lots of sheep grazed pasture until crossing the deep gouge of Black Ditches after which a short section of rather muddy fenced path is encountered....
Ken
I walked from Melbourne to Borrowash on a cold, clear day. The route started well on the walk out of Melbourne, though a relatively new housing development, into a graveyard though fields and across roads....
Lynn Jackson
The next section is along the Trent and Mersey Canal, including a section near Swarkestone, Swarkestone Bridge being the furthest southern advance of the Jacobite Army under Bonnie Prince Charlie. You soon leave the Trent and Mersey Canal to join the route of the old Derby Canal....
David Sanderson
We walked from Melbourne to Burton via Repton....
Lynn Jackson
Lynn Jackson took this photo on Burmel two
Walk this routeNorth of London Road where you could leave and follow the road into Derby, the track enters the well kept Alveston Park before the cycle track meets Derbor and the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to follow the river side cycle path into Derby....
Ken
David Sanderson added Burmel three, a new walk from Burton upon Trent to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeThis 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
David Sanderson took this photo on Burmel one
Walk this routeThis 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
David Sanderson took this photo on Burmel three
Walk this routeI 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
Lynn Jackson added Swamel two, a new walk from Swadlincote to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeThere is a section of the footpath in Ashby which passes through a heavy goods yard. Beyond Heath End, as you enter Derbyshire, Ashmel turns left and follows a route through a series of fields rather than continuing with the lane (there is a path running parallel which would keep you offroad). It runs along a series of footpaths through Calke Abbey, a National Trust property and then beyond to the outskirts of Melbourne. There was a section of the path route White Leys where the footpath no longer but there was an obvious workaround and it didn't really inconvenience us....
David Sanderson
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
Ken added Burmel two, a new walk from Burton upon Trent to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeDavid Sanderson took this photo on Ashmel one
Walk this routeIt uses a permissive path alongside the Staunton Harold Reservoir then travels along a private lane where walkers are not welcome at all....
histman
A bit difficult to find the Public Right of Way through Calke Park (before the Ponds) but as long as you stick it you won't be charged by the National Trust (£8:00)!...
histman
This is a pleasant route from Melbourne to Chellaston where it follows village and rural footpaths then a disused railway line and the canal tow path. Beyond Chellaston it follows the old Derby Canal cycle path. Some areas nearer the city centre are not particularly pleasant....
histman
Stephen Parnell surveyed Hilmel one
Walk this routeThe route north from Chellaston into Derby follows the old canal path....
finbarrinz
Tony Gordon added Hilmel one, a new walk from Hilton (South Derbyshire) to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Ashmel one, a new walk from Ashby-de-la-Zouch to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Burmel one, a new walk from Burton upon Trent to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Dermel one, a new walk from Derby to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Melbor one, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Borrowash
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Melbre one, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Breaston
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Melcoa one, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Coalville
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Melkeg one, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Kegworth
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Melshe one, a new walk from Melbourne (South Derbyshire) to Shepshed
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Swamel one, a new walk from Swadlincote to Melbourne (South Derbyshire)
Walk this routeLynn Jackson took this photo on Burmel one
Walk this routeDavid Sanderson took this photo on Burmel two
Walk this routemtormey took this photo on Burmel two
Walk this route
Melbourne (South Derbyshire), Thu 13 February
4°
Overcast
Dull but mainly dry!
Melbourne (South Derbyshire)’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SK3862125185
Lat / Lon
52.82284° / -1.42831°
Easting / Northing
438,621E / 325,185N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Melbourne (South Derbyshire) and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Facilities
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Wheelchair accessible toilet
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Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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