Rowsley Circular – Derbyshire

The walk started at Rowsley Shopping outlet, moving quickly onto a tarmac path leading to open countryside.  The edge of Stanton Moor was reached after a long gradual climb up through Holly Wood and past Stanton Woodhouse Farm.

Once on the edge far reaching views across Darley Dale could be seen.  The group paused for a brief coffee stop at Earl Grey Tower.  The Tower was built by a local landowner in around 1832 to commemorate the politician Earl Grey, who fought for the reform of parliament in the early 19th century.  Further along the edge, the lunch stop was taken at a scenic viewpoint overlooking views further along Darley Dale.  Moving away from the edge, the walk took us along farm paths and past a pretty campsite where several alpacas were enjoying the sunshine.  On reaching Birchover a couple of pubs, The Red Lion and the Druid Inn were available for a refreshing break.  After lunch, a steep wooded climb led past Stanton Park Quarry and onto the Cork Stone, climbed by Graham and Lewis see photos.  Crossing open moorland, the Nine Stone Ladies’ stone circle provided another brief stop.  The early Bronze Age stone circle is said to depict nine ladies turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday!! Glad that doesn’t happen anymore!!  Leaving the moor and walking along Sheep Walk Wood a short section of road walking led to a viewpoint where good views of Haddon Hall and the surrounding countryside were to be seen.  The walk concluded across fields to meet the River Wye and back into Rowsley.