Baslow to Rowsley - DVH Way Section 3

Location

Derwent Valley, Derbyshire

OutdoorLads shares the exact meeting point with people who have signed up, closer to the date. See the OutdoorLads listing for details.

About this event

The Derwent Valley Trust was set up in 1996 to promote the history, arts, wildlife and leisure opportunities that surround the river Derwent along its 55 mile course through Derbyshire. The Derwent Valley Heritage Way takes us from Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park to its end at Derwent Mouth where it flows into the River Trent near Shardlow. The Duke of Devonshire opened the walk at Chatsworth House in 2003.The route takes us through the Chatsworth estate, Derbyshire dales, towns, villages, canals and many points of interests through the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. There are plenty of pubs and tea shops for refreshments along the way. The route follows the riverside path through Derby City and continues southeastwards to the historic inland port of Shardlow. Journey’s end is at Derwent Mouth where the Derwent flows into the River Trent.The route is divided into eight sections of between  ~13 km (8 miles) and ~17 km (10.5 miles), each with a clear public transport solution. All, except the first section, are linear routes. We park at the end, travel to the start, and walk back to our cars. Sections 5, 6, 7 are brilliantly served by the East Midlands Railway Derwent Valley Line (Derby–Matlock, hourly), which runs almost parallel to the trail the whole way. For sections (2, 3, 4 and 8), we use local buses. Each section is a walk in itself. Join one or more, as you wish, or walk all eight sections to complete the whole route through Derbyshire. Please ask other attendees for a lift if you need one.Section 3 - Baslow to Rowsley ~14 km (8.7 miles) Total ascent 199 m (653 ft)The highlight of this section of the Way is the impressive Chatsworth Estate, with its house set in an extensive deer park landscaped by Lancelot (Capability) Brown. The 4th Duke of Devonshire (1720-64) had a channel cut across an S-bend upstream of the House to straighten the river and deal with intermittent flooding. The route takes us through the stable yard, where refreshments are available, then we climb up to the top of the Cascade and across to the hunting lodge from where there are great views across the estate. The Emperor Fountain, which sends up a 88 m (290 feet) jet of water, is one of the park’s striking features. Edensor village originally straggled across the valley so the 4th Duke removed a mill and some cottages to make room for the new 'one arch' bridge. In the 19th century, the 6th Duke and Joseph Paxton had the rest of Edensor demolished and rebuilt where it is today. Each house is a different design. The single house opposite the Edensor gates was spared because it was occupied by an old man at the time and the Duke did not want to disturb him.The enlarged 14th century church of St Peter contains, among others features, a memorial to Paxton, the tomb of two sons of Bess of Hardwick, everlasting memorial flowers sent by Queen Victoria, and the grave of Kathleen Kennedy, sister of President John F Kennedy, who died in an air crash in 1948.As the route winds through the estate south to Rowsley, there are close views of the Derwent. At the end of this section we visit Caudwell’s Mill, a 19th-century grade II listed roller flour mill with pre-1914 machinery powered by two water turbines. There are several craft outlets and a shop on site selling different types of flour.There is a link to the OS Maps route for members highlighted in red, below. Well behaved dogs are welcome but must kept under control at all times. Note: If there are no places left on this event, join the waiting list, as people frequently drop out during the week before an event, and you are likely to get a place.All photos obtained online with permission to modify use and share: Image 1 - ODL Derventio and commons.wikimedia.org Nissarana (logo), Image 2 - ODL Derventio, Image 3 - ODL Derventio, Image 4 - ODL Derventio, Image 5 - geographic.org.uk ChrisAllen.Want to keep in touch with what's going on in the Midlands Central Region? Bookmark our upcoming events list via the short link: https://outdoorlads.events/central