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Chatsworth - Peak District Walk
Saturday 22nd December 2018
After more issues with my knee and more physio it was time to get back out walking. Following last year's pre-Christmas walk we decided to see if the Saturday before Christmas would once again provide us with a walk away from the crowds. With the exception of the area around the house we weren't disappointed and enjoyed another walk meeting very few people for such a normally popular area.
Start: Hell Bank Plantation (SK 2868 6807)
Route: Hell Bank Plantation - Rabbit Warren - Swiss Lake - Emperor Lake - Derwent Valley Heritage Way - Beeley - Hell Bank Plantation
Distance: 7.25 miles Ascent: 276 metres Time Taken: 4 hrs 10 mins
Terrain: Clear paths
Weather: Grey with patches of light rain.
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Hell Bank Plantation Hell Bank Plantation](2018-12-22/hell bank.jpg)
Looking across the area at the top of Hell Bank Plantation that has been cleared to give views across the Derwent Valley.
![Harland Edge Harland Edge](2018-12-22/harland edge.jpg)
Heading along the track towards Rabbit Warren with views across the moor towards Harland Edge and Bunker's Hill Wood.
![Stanton Moor Stanton Moor](2018-12-22/stanton moor.jpg)
When you first get onto Rabbit Warren the view includes both the Derwent Valley and the Wye Valley.
![Longstone Edge Longstone Edge](2018-12-22/longstone edge.jpg)
Walking across Rabbit Warren we couldn't but help notice the rain that appeared to be heading in our direction from Longstone Edge.
![Derwent Valley Derwent Valley](2018-12-22/lindop wood.jpg)
As we approached the edge of the Chatsworth Estate the view is across the Derwent Valley towards Stanton Moor.
![Chatsworth Chatsworth](2018-12-22/chatsworth.jpg)
This part of the estate was suprisingly quiet and we met no-one
until we reached the Hunting Tower.
![Chatsworth Chatsworth](2018-12-22/chatsworth1.jpg)
Strangely deserted along the path to Swiss Lake.
![Swiss Lake Swiss Lake](2018-12-22/swiss lake.jpg)
Swiss Lake looks even emptier than it did in 2017.
![Gardom Edge Gardom Edge](2018-12-22/edges.jpg)
Looking across towards Gardom Edge from the area that was cleared in 2015.
![Emperor Lake Emperor Lake](2018-12-22/emperor lake.jpg)
Unlike Swiss Lake Emperor Lake is once again full.
![Derwent Valley Derwent Valley](2018-12-22/canons.jpg)
The heaviest rain arrived just as we reached the Hunting Tower so we took shelter under the trees until it passed over.
![Hunting Tower Hunting Tower](2018-12-22/hunting tower.jpg)
Someone was stopping at the Hunting Tower which is let as a holiday cottage.
![New Piece Wood New Piece Wood](2018-12-22/chatsworth2.jpg)
Given we had met no-one on the paths in Chatsworth we were amazed at the number of cars in the car park below.
![Chatsworth Chatsworth](2018-12-22/path.jpg)
As we headed downhill towards the house we still only passed three other people.
![Chatsworth Chatsworth](2018-12-22/gates.jpg)
It might not look it but this part of Chatsworth was full of people, there was a
steady stream of cars heading up the road to the car park and hoards of people
visiting the house and shops. More people than I have seen in the height of summer.
![Baslow Edge Baslow Edge](2018-12-22/baslow edge.jpg)
Looking across towards Baslow Edge. I had thought about having lunch at Queen Mary's Bower but given the number of people and cars abandoned that idea.
![River Derwent River Derwent](2018-12-22/river derwent.jpg)
The sun threatens to come out as we approach the River Derwent.
![Three Arch Bridge Three Arch Bridge](2018-12-22/bridge.jpg)
With John on car watch I was able to get a shot of the bridge free of cars.
![Chatsworth Chatsworth](2018-12-22/lunch.jpg)
We opted for lunch on a bench overlooking the river that gave us a good view of the house. A shame about all the cars in the over-flow car park.
![Falling Edge Falling Edge](2018-12-22/falling edge.jpg)
Heading across the estate we get a view of the ascent we have to do to get back to the car.
![River Derwent River Derwent](2018-12-22/weir.jpg)
No fishermen or picnickers near the weirs today.
![Paine's Mill Paine's Mill](2018-12-22/old mill.jpg)
The Old Mill was designed by James Paine, who also desigend the two bridges found on the estate.
![River Derwent River Derwent](2018-12-22/river derwent1.jpg)
The River Derwent from Paine's One Arch Bridge.
![Falling Edge Falling Edge](2018-12-22/field.jpg)
The route takes us across the field towards Beeley.
![Beeley Church Beeley Church](2018-12-22/beeley church.jpg)
We emerge opposite Beeley Church.
![Lindop Wood Lindop Wood](2018-12-22/lindop wood1.jpg)
As we head into Hell Bank Plantation the sun finally comes out and lights up the woods across the valley.
![Rabbit Warren Rabbit Warren](2018-12-22/rabbit warren.jpg)
Emerging from the trees we get a final look at Rabbit Warren before we head to the car.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023