Walks
PARISH BOUNDARY WALK
Distance: 7miles (12km)
Mostly all flat ground, may be muddy by River Derwent
Average Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Parking: Elvaston Castle Public Car Park
Refreshments: The Harrington Cafe, Elvaston Castle & The Harrington Arms, Thulston
This walk, better known to locals as the Parish Boundary Walk, takes us from Elvaston Castle Park to the villages of Thulston, then Ambaston ,and then follows the River Derwent to return by bridleway to the Castle Grounds and Elvaston Village.
ROUTE INSTRUCTIONS
Start at the Castle Car Park.GR 412332
Turn R at the entrance past the WCs, join the broad path through the trees parallel to a main road, and after ¼ mile turn right along a tarmac lane which runs alongside the Old English Garden.Then go left where the lane splits,continue on this path ½ mile,reaching another drive which takes you to the famous Golden Gates and then join the long drive (known as the Avenue)
On the left of the red-brick entranceway on the A6, take the footpath into Thulston via a ‘jitty’ –narrow pathway-between houses emerging into Thulston Village itself. You probably haven’t walked far enough, but the local pub restaurant, The Harrington Arms, serves excellent food and real ale...best visited after the walk
When you reach the main road on a bend by the Harrington Arms, turn left and 100yards along Oak Road on your right pick up a signed path between old farm buildings and a green wire fence . Follow this through 3 fields till we join the busy A6 for a brief but necessary road section, then turn off left after 2/3mile (1km) signed Bellington Farm.
You are now into quiet countryside,scarred somewhat by gravel extraction works of the Tarmac Company, but the resultant ponds and wetlands are a delight for the birdwatcher; an oasis of calm in a sea of desecration!
You join Ambaston Lane, turn left and follow the road straight to its end in the village where on the left you see a footpath sign River Derwent. Where the path forks to the right, this will take you across 3 large fields to join the footpath along the banks of the Derwent all the way to the Derwent Bridge crossed by the B5010. Here, sharp eyes may pick up the electric blue of a kingfisher, the rest of us only the East Midland Mainline trains plying their path between Derby and the South.
Once at the bridge, very carefully cross the road which is single lane with traffic light control. Go left and then right onto the cycle path, still parallel with the River Derwent and following by this path all the way to the Weir (1 km). Industry blights this section , with Courtaulds works and powerplants especially prominent when lit up in the evening, creating futuristic special effects.
At the Weir, turn left along the path (1 km),turning left at East Lodge to return to the Castle Park via a bridleway leading to the Riding Stables, then turn left to pass through trees on a good path which loops back round the park perimeter for 1km,eventually reaching the Car Park once more.
CLICK HERE FOR 1 PAGE PRINTABLE VERSION
Walk Description Courtesy of Dr Iain Black
WALKS IN AND AROUND FINDERN
The 'Findern Footpaths Group' has put together a list of 6 circular walks in and araound Findern. Click here for the list and printable directions