A better than average early February morning very close to South Derbyshire’s border with East Staffordshire where it’s almost a quarter of a century to the day since Bretby Hall Orthopaedic Hospital closed its doors for the last time. It might seem like a bit of a non-event in the triangle between Burton, Swad and Repton but back in the day Bretby was a player, a world leading centre for joint replacement and before that a magnet for toffs. The likes of Disraeli used to swing by the hall but it was sold by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon to fund the Tutankhamun expedition which, of course, finally struck gold exactly 100 years ago. Not bad for a walk either.
Bretby church.
I’ve parked by the church. Head to the entrance you’ve just driven through, climb over the stile and turn left uphill to a copse. Pause for a few moments to take in the far-reaching view across the Trent valley. Willington power station is almost straight ahead. Pan left for the industrial sprawl of the Toyota factory where someone had the bright idea 30 years ago to build it in an eye-catching light colour so you can see it from miles around. On a good day you’ll hopefully be looking at something a bit better a few miles beyond.
Waterloo Tower and Winshill church.
Head right to a stile then swing left to cross the occasionally busy road at the bottom of the field and join Newton Lane on the other side. Go left at the first path and take five as you go under a line of pylons to admire the twin Burton landmarks of Winshill church and Waterloo Tower straight ahead with the mast on Cannock Chase in between but about 20 miles further west.
Bretby Hall.
Turn left at Osprey Close where you meet suburbia and immediately left again at the gap in the hedge to go uphill on the field edge then swing left for the track to take you to the road. The path in the same direction is slightly to the right signposted Midway. Go down the right hand side of Oldicote Farm then follow the yellow-topped waymarkers diagonally across the golf course, down the right side of Geary House and straight over at the road to pick up the path across to The Gorse.
Hall from the north.
Head down the track and the left hand side of the houses at the end meaning you can avoid the A444 and go straight down the lane. You’ll land at the hall after a good half mile. Some 25 years after the last staff and patients said farewell to the old hospital, it’s now home to ‘luxury apartments and suites’ including ones once owned by East Midlands acting royalty Paddy Considine and Dragons’ Den painted lady Hilary Devey.
Bretby Park Farm.
Skirt the edge of the grounds and go left at the track. It takes you round to the back of the hall then arrows north west. Fork right soon after Bretby Park Farm pictured above to drop down to a stream then climb back up to the church where you started a couple of hours back.
Start: Bretby church.
Highlight: View from the copse near the start, even with the Toyota eyesore in the foreground.
Lunch: Pack-up back at the church.
Music: A few days after Carole King’s 80th, here’s Going Back.
Distance/map: 5.6 miles. OS Explorer 245 The National Forest.
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Walks with welf 