A lovely half day in the Pistern Hills

A beautiful sunny day to revisit a path not used for many years. I took the Arriva 61 bus to Ticknall Top Farm and ambled along Staunton Lane to the footpath beyond White Hollows Farm. The path climbs through a tiny wood, past Heath Farm to the top of the Pistern Hills. Not high but great views back to Ticknall and Calke. Also an ideal spot for eating your lunch. Not a soul on the whole walk. From there I made my way around the top of Smisby and on to Hartshorne. The valley between these two villages is one of the hidden gems of South Derbyshire. In Hartshorne I caught the bus back to Melbourne. A perfect half day's walk.

Robin Wood Meeting

Committee members of Melbourne Civic Society and a local Ticknall resident met Alan Dowell and James Williams of the Forestry Commission at Woodside Farm to discuss the future of Robin Wood and access issues.

We were shown the recently cleared area and sections of the wood which had recovered after thinning out and the removal of conifers five years ago. The Forestry Commission, as well as removing conifers, was planting oaks and cherry trees. We were also given copies of the impressive 50 year development plan for the wood which describes how the wood will return to a mainly deciduous state (as it had been before World War Two). The habitats of raptors, owls and bats were also being protected. A tall dead tree has been left as a lookout post for raptors.

Mr Dowell assured us that access to the bridleway and footpath through the wood was protected and that they would both be better signed in the future. In all, a very positive morning's visit.

Ticknall to Hartshorne Linear Walk

A lovely morning to walk from Ticknall to Hartshorne via Carver Rocks. The path from Ticknall, Ashby Road to the A514 was squelchy but walkable as it was under grass not a crop. After autumn ploughing, this route can be very hard work. By Scaddows Cottage I found the old Royal Label Factory sign on the ground. It must have been around here for years. Beyond this point, a plank over a brook was rather tricky as the hand rail has collapsed.



The rest of the walk was quite straightforward except for some misaligned marker discs near Scaddows Farm and an unclear route near Hartshorne Wood.

A full route description will follow soon.

Winter wonderland

 

Snowy bridleway sign at the top of Robinson Hill

 

Brussels in the snow at Windmill Hill



I think we get the message! – Ticknall Green

 

Ticknall Parish Church's handsome spire from Calke Park



Scots Brook, Broadstone Lane

Melbourne to Ticknall Part 2

Wonderful old sign at Riding Bank, Melbourne. Click to view large.

Route today: Melbourne - Selina St - Allotments - Recreation Ground - Riding Bank - St Brides - Robin Wood - Woodside - Ticknall. First part of Walk 7.

This morning was warm and sunny (for a change). After leaving Melbourne and passing through Riding Bank Farm the views improve immensely.

At Riding Bank an orchard has been planted containing local Newton Wonder apple trees (amongst others) and two grass landing strips for light aircraft have been cut. St Brides Farm, dating back to Norman times, still looks impressive from a distance despite the barn conversions.

St Brides from Riding Bank

The route through Robin Wood was muddy but once out of the wood the walking was easy and particularly lovely past Woodside Farm where the meadow grasses were up to my waist.

The only blot on the walk was a broken stile plank at Woodside. Luckily I knocked into the farmer who agreed to carry out repair work on it (SK359246).

Trig point, near Robin Wood, with historical information about part of the route.

Melbourne to Ticknall Part 1

Route: Melbourne - St Brides - Robin Wood - Ticknall - Lime Yards - Broadstone Lane - Derby Hills - Windmill - Melbourne - 8.3 km.

Walk 7 in the book.

Today I checked out the part of this walk which runs from Ticknall to Broadstone Lane.

I was pleased to see this splendid new plaque by the side of the Tramway Bridge in Ticknall.

The walk through the Lime Yards was quite muddy and eery especially if you are walking on your own. Part of the original route has been slightly diverted for repair work but the waymarking is clear. The scenery here never ceases to amaze with pools and rocky outcrops.

Stormy clouds over Broadstone Lane

Once out of the lime workings the path affords splendid views over Broadstone Lane. I returned to Ticknall via the latter as I had surveyed the return route to Melbourne on an earlier walk this week.