For many people the word “limestone” immediately brings to mind images of gorges, crags, caves and fossils. The Limestone Way in Derbyshire certainly has all these features as well as wonderful scenery and historically important places along its 46 miles (or 74 km) starting in Castleton and running South through the White Peak as far as Rocester.
This is the second video in a series of six:
1. Introduction https://youtu.be/LQdTHD27mhI
2. Castleton to Monyash https://youtu.be/LaYy6kpkhUY
3. Monyash to Bonsall
4. Bonsall to Matlock and back again
5. Bonsall to Tissington
6. Tissington to Rocester
Comments of whatever kind are welcome…
Hello and welcome to the fourth in a series of videos I’ve been making about the limestone way in Darbisha. Soon after moving here, I felt an irresistible desire to walk the full 46 mi or 74 km of this footpath. The route is well marked by this logo of a green sheep’s head inside a circle. As you can see from the map, this long-distance footpath is surrounded by several big cities. The limestone way starts at Castleton and runs mostly south through wonderful limestone scenery and small villages as far as roster. Obviously, you’ll need a guide book which can be ordered from Darisha Dale’s District Council in Matlock. Don’t forget to obtain the relevant map known as O24. The route from Bonsil to Matlock is only a couple of miles but does have some interesting features along the way. Matlock as a youth hostel and the river at nearby Matlock Bath has a seaside atmosphere although right at the center of England. The limestone way is 46 milesi, but if you walk the section to Matlock and back again, then you will have walked 50 miles by the end of it all. From the charming market cross, go east. The steep track passes between some houses. Note the shallow channel for heavy rainfall. This is quite a damp and shady place, ideal for purple fox glove. There’s a spider’s web, clearly seen in the sunshine. Turning to the left, upper Bonsil comes into view. further on and several small footpaths all converge at this gateway. Looking to the southwest and there on the skyline are wind turbines at Carington beyond a sunken lane. Turn right uphill until it levels out. Bramble patches abound in amongst the hedge rows. also some blackthorn. Go through a gap in edge and a style. That’s by a barn in the center of a field and then follow the field boundaries across to a track through another narrow style and left down the farm track. Here the Derwent Valley is starting to come into full view. Note the clouds forming just above the valley bottom just a few hundred yards away across the fields can be found jug holes and mine which as the name implies is a natural cavern that the miners have exploited in order to reach lead veins. It’s safe enough to visit this rather impressive entrance but caves and mines are inevitably dangerous even when following the instructions in the guide book and taking all the necessary precautions. Back at the track, go over a style and follow the limestone way markers. Just after Jeffrey seat, go over a style and continue downhill to the left of the Mass and Le’s farm. You may come across a couple of contented ponies. The limestone way runs downhill alongside Salter’s Lane. More of that in a minute. through several styles, eventually reaching Matlock. Go over the road bridge to a roundabout. Matlock has some grand buildings left over from the Victorian era. The town was famous for springwaters with natural healing properties. All Lee’s Park has won awards for flower displays and this can be a relaxing place to visit on a summer’s day. I would recommend following the river downstream for half a mile to reach Matlock Bath, which has a completely different atmosphere. Here’s a photo of the annual raft race held at New Year’s Day. There are water fights which often result in spectators all along the riverbank getting soaked. So now after some refreshment the route can be reversed to get back to Bonsil. Near the road bridge is a nicely maintained house. Follow the way marked route from the bottom of Snitterton Road. Salter’s Lane is a reminder of bygone centuries when pack horses made their way across the Peak District. Salt was a valuable commodity in the Roman era and in the medieval economy as well. Useful for preserving and cooking meat as well as giving ceramics a shiny glaze. The limestone way leads through a series of fields for approximately a mile to Masan Lee’s farm. Here’s those ponies again. Cloud inversions like this are most common in the autumn and winter months. You’re sure to recognize this lane. Just off to the left is the increasingly popular Massen Quarry. This abandoned limestone quarry attracts not only geologists, but also winter mountaineers who like to practice using their ice axes and krampons. Somehow they’re able to make use of the tiniest ledges and pockets in the rock. Another attraction is the great massen mine. Although the entrance is quite difficult to find. As before, caves and mines are inevitably dangerous. And even when in following instructions in the guide book and taking all the necessary precautions, you need to be very careful. This book is one of the best I found about quaries along the Derwent Valley. At the very top of the hill, go back through the hedge again. The isolated barn is a handy landmark. Keep left after the style where the path begins to descend. Go down about 250 yards to a style by a sunken lane and soon you’ll be enjoying the same views as before. Carefully down the steep lane which can be slippery after rain. Now we are back at the fountain and the playing fields. Refreshments can be obtained at the cafe and the local pubs. Although the trip to Matlock is only two miles in each direction, it is a scenic and interesting walk. The next section goes from Bonsel to Tissington and is described in the following video. Thanks again for watching so