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Swarkestone - Peak District Walk
Wednesday 30th April 2014
I headed south today to do a walk taking in two of Derbyshire's waterways. The scenery and terrain was very different to my usual walks but still enjoyable.
Start: Swarkestone Church (SK 3721 2861)
Route: Swalkestone church - Massey's Bridge - Swarkestone Lock - Deep Dale Bridge - Barrow Upon Trent - Swarkestone Church
Distance: 5.25 miles Ascent: 29 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 mins
Terrain: Canal towpaths and fields
Weather: Overcast but warm
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Swarkestone Hall Pavilion Swarkestone Hall Pavilion](2014-04-30/hall.jpg)
My route took me by this old Jacobean hall, which amongst other claims to fame has featured on the Rolling Stones album Beggars Banquet.
![](2014-04-30/field.jpg)
All of the farmland I crossed was arable in nature so no worrying about cows whilst crossing farmland.
![Massey's Bridge Massey's Bridge](2014-04-30/bridge.jpg)
I joined the canal towpath by Massey's Bridge.
![Trent & Mersey Canal Trent & Mersey Canal](2014-04-30/canal.jpg)
Much of the walk was alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal.
![Swarkestone Hall Pavilion Swarkestone Hall Pavilion](2014-04-30/start.jpg)
From the towpath I could look across the fields to my starting point next to the church.
![Trent & Mersey Canal Trent & Mersey Canal](2014-04-30/canal1.jpg)
It was easy going alongside the canal, although this section was popular with cyclists.
![Swarkestone Lock Swarkestone Lock](2014-04-30/lock.jpg)
My route took me by Swarkestone Lock.
![Swarkestone Lock Swarkestone Lock](2014-04-30/barges.jpg)
There were plenty of canal boats moored up by the lock and I saw two or three travelling along the canal as well.
![Swarkestone Lock Swarkestone Lock](2014-04-30/lock1.jpg)
One of the canal boats is about to enter the lock.
![](2014-04-30/post.jpg)
Thankfully I wasn't going as far as Preston Brook.
![](2014-04-30/house.jpg)
A nice place to live.
![Trent & Mersey Canal Trent & Mersey Canal](2014-04-30/reeds.jpg)
Despite the lack of blue skies there was just about enough sunlight to create some nice reflections in the canal.
![River Trent River Trent](2014-04-30/river.jpg)
Having left the canal behind I was soon walking alongside the River Trent.
![](2014-04-30/fb.jpg)
A rather rickety footbridge.
![River Trent River Trent](2014-04-30/river1.jpg)
Although the river was in view for most of this part of the walk the hedgerow meant there were few opportunities to take photos of it.
![Swarkestone Bridge Swarkestone Bridge](2014-04-30/swark bridge.jpg)
I could have got a better picture if I'd taken advantage of the Crewe and Harper's beer garden.
The bridge's claim to fame is that it is the furthest point south reached by Bonnie Prince Charlie.
![Swarkestone Church Swarkestone Church](2014-04-30/church.jpg)
I had parked by the church and took a few minutes to explore the churchyard after the walk.
Typically the sun came out and stopped me getting the shot I really wanted.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023