The Churnet Valley and the Caldon Canal

29th September 2018

Walk 1 from the book

This is walk from our new book -CAMRA’S Peak District Pub Walks, and it has two of our favourite things -a canal and good pubs with real ale – and we even got a steam train thrown in - fabulous!

As it says in the book “this route is steeped in industrial history in the shape of canal and railway heritage”.  It’s a 6 mile circular walk that starts and ends at Froghall Wharf – how long it takes you will depend on whether you decide to stop for a swift half (or pint) at the recommended pubs!!  Also at Froghall Wharf is Hetty’s Tea Shop if you fancy a cuppa before you set off – we didn’t go in but apparently it’s really good. 

After a lovely walk through the woods we emerged eventually to walk across fields, through a farm and past a lovely old oak tree until we reached the village of Ipstones.

Ipstones is such a beautiful village - and here was our first pub - as recommended by Camra - The Sea Lion - so we stopped for our first pint 

The next pub on the list was the Marquis of Granby but unfortunately it was closed.  Luckily we spotted another pub down the road called The Old Red Lion so we popped in there - well, we sat outside in the glorious autumn sunshine. 

We then walked up through the village to the highest point of the walk where we found lovely views of the Churnet Valley

A little meander through more lovely woods by the stream before we climbed up a stone staircase to join the driveway to Belmont Hall. 

We then dropped down into the main Churnet Valley - down 200 steps - The Devil's Staircase  - which brought us out at the valley right by The Black Lion.  

 What a fabulous setting for a pub -we sat outside by the canal and the preserved Churnet Valley Railway, watching the steam train tootle by - perfect.

You can finish the remaining two miles of this walk on the steam train if you want to but we decided on the canalside stroll back to Froghall Wharf - it was such a beautiful day and we had plenty of time to get back.  Tilly fell in the canal on the way back, bless her. 

 We absolutely loved this walk and had an amazing day.  This is the first walk we've done out of our new book so if the rest are as good as this one then we'll be very happy - thanks Camra. 

Thanks for looking at my blog - what's your favourite walk in the Peak District - or anywhere else??