Derbyshire Away Break - 28th to 30th June 2024
The Wetton Walk
18th June 2024
The base for the Derbyshire Away Break was Ashbourne Heights Holiday Park, a delightful spot nestled in the picturesque Derbyshire countryside. This charming park offered a variety of accommodation options, ranging from cosy camping pitches to fully-equipped self-catering lodges, alongside a host of other facilities designed to make our stay as comfortable as possible.
For those who preferred alternative lodgings, there was no shortage of options in the nearby villages of Fenney Bentley, Ashbourne, and the surrounding areas, each boasting their unique charm and hospitality.
Ashbourne Heights provided direct access to the famous Tissington Trail, making it a perfect starting point for our adventures. Not far off lay the stunning landscapes of Dovedale and numerous other scenic walking routes, each beckoning with promises of breathtaking vistas and invigorating hikes.
Walks were meticulously organised for each day. The destinations included the serene Tissington Trail, the quaint village of Wetton, and the majestic Dovedale. Each location promised not just a walk, but a journey through some of the most enchanting parts of the English countryside.Â
The Recce Route
The Walk Details
I couldn’t make it to the Derbyshire Away Break, but I was invited to recce the Wetton walk with Dave, Kathy, and Mick.
We parked in a quaint little car park in Wetton (///evidence.contained.umpires). Conveniently, there were loos there too, which was a relief! It was a perfect day for a walk: dry, warm, but not sweltering.
Off we trotted down Carr Lane, took a right onto Well End Lane, and then scrambled over a stone stile at the junction of Leek Road. We ambled across some lush greenery, had a minor tussle with a locked gate, and finally discovered a footpath into a wooded area. In hindsight, if we’d stuck to Leek Road a bit longer, we could’ve climbed a stile and followed a proper footpath into the woods. But hey, that’s what recces are for—finding out the best routes! This route did take us up to Thor’s Cave though, so it wasn’t all bad!
At a footpath junction, we turned left and crossed the River Manifold via a charming footbridge. Now, we were truly on the Manifold Trail, which meanders along the river, crossing and re-crossing it several times on its three-and-a-half-mile journey north to Hulme End via the B5054.
Unfortunately, The Manifold Inn wasn’t open, so we veered right at the pub and carried on down the unmarked road. Ignoring a left turn, we took the right at the triangle. A short distance (0.1 miles or 160 metres) down this road, there’s a well-hidden stile on the right. We breezed past it initially, but thanks to my trusty red dot on the phone, I managed to guide us to the correct path.
This footpath is just over a quarter of a mile (450 metres) long and then emerges onto another unmarked road. This road has a few ups and downs but essentially heads south for just under a mile (1.4 kilometres), passing Paddock Farm and Back of Ecton. Eventually, we found a footpath on the left that was supposed to lead us around Wetton Hill and back to the car. However, someone (who shall remain nameless) suggested we take a right and almost scale Watton Hill instead (see dotted line on the map). It was a bit of a climb, and Dave firmly declared it was a route he wouldn’t be repeating anytime soon!
Pics by Anita, Kathy & Phil (recce)
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