Our next walk is one we have only just added to our repertoire and we have been pleased with the variety of interesting sightings en-route, starting with some period country houses built over a main railway bridge and we think we might be correct in thinking that few of you will have walked this particular part of the Cromford Canal towpath.  It will take place as follows:

Date                      Sunday, 30th April

Meet                     10.30 outside 75 Wheeldon Avenue

Car Share             Will be allocated on the day. Prior notification of car share offers / car share required would be helpful

Parking                 Whatstandwell.  We will try the ‘free’ car park but if no spaces we will park at Whatstandwell Station. Cost is £2.50 (machine accepts card + cash payments .20p fee for Ringo)

We will all start the walk together and then split once we reach the HighPeak Junction at Cromford.

 Shorter Walk:    4 miles in total

·         Along tow path to the High Peak Junction, passing the recently refurbished Aqueduct Cottage en-route            

·         At the High Peak Junction there are toilets, shop (selling drinks and pre-packaged caked – we can recommend the Bakewell slices) and seating area.  This seating area is for anyone to use (not just people purchasing from the shop) so the intention is to break for lunch here and afterwards those opting for the ‘shorter’ walk can either walk a little further along the tow path and enjoy what Cromford has to offer before re-tracing their steps back to the car park 

At Whatstandwell you may want to pop into The Family Tree public house, which has a warm and comfortable welcome and a beautiful secure garden.  We understand they also do food, including rather delicious scones…  This might be a pleasant place to wait for anyone car sharing with someone who decides to do the longer walk.  Likewise, we longer walkers may decide to pop in before returning home.  It closes at 4pm.

Longer Walk:     7 miles in total

• Those opting for the longer walk will return along the tow path to Aqueduct Cottage and then we will head towards the wooded area to the rear of the Cottage and enjoy the beautiful scenery as we walk through the fields back to Holloway and onwards to Whatstandwell. There is a little road walking on a minor road as we leave Holloway. 

 Please be prepared for mud and puddles, even on the tow path.

 As always, we recommend you wear layers (including one that is waterproof) especially water & mud-proof footwear and take a packed lunch & drink if you don’t want to buy from the limited stocks at the Hi-Peak Shop.  Well behaved dogs on the lead will be welcome.

 We look forward to sharing this walk with you…

 Lyn & Peter