Manners Wood is an impressive stretch of greenery gracing the hillside north of the A6 and River Wye between Rowsley and Bakewell. It provides a fine first half to this walk and a steady climb before you emerge into the wide open space of Calton Pastures with excellent views west to Youlgrave and spectacular ones north beyond Longstone Edge.
Stanton Moor and Peak Tor from the edge of Rowsley.
I’ve parked by the playground just past Caudwell’s Mill at the bottom of Peaktor Lane on the edge of Rowsley. Walk back into the village, go straight over the crossing and up Church Street. As you might imagine when you’ve started near the confluence of two of Derbyshire’s finest waterways it’s a bit of a climb out of the valley but well worth it. After just a couple of minutes you’ll be enjoying great views across the Wye to Stanton Moor with tree-topped Peak Tor in the foreground.
View down the Derwent to Riber and Masson Hill from strategically placed bench.
The road turns into a well surfaced bridleway which lands at a welcome bench after nearly a mile and a half of uphill. Take five to enjoy the prospect down the Derwent to Riber Castle and Masson Hill on either side of the river then turn right at a junction of paths into the woods – after you’ve checked out the view north west to Bakewell pictured below. Fork left on the concessionary path pictured below that.
Bakewell from junction of paths.
On this first Saturday in July there are only tantalising glimpses across the valley towards Over Haddon which means walking in winter would be a wise move if you want to see more but fear not – there are uninterrupted views in the same distance when you land on the tops. On the plus side, the walk through the woods blocks out the noise from the A6 although the foliage isn’t quite enough to eliminate the noise pollution emanating from the carnival in Bakewell. Hey ho.
Keep forking right and heading uphill and you’ll land at Handley Lane, one of Derbyshire’s premier rat-runs that takes you out of the middle of Bakewell to Chatsworth – avoiding the crowds. Turn immediately right up the track and look out for a well placed bench just before you get to the brow of the hill at this just-over-halfway point. Look directly left for Minninglow on the horizon about eight miles south. Pan right for Youlgrave in the dip, quite a bit closer. You might be able to pick out the church.
Savour the spectacular views north to Longstone Edge in the foreground, the mast on Eyam Edge beyond and pan right for more edges than you can shake a stick at before picking up the track again. Aim for a picket gate to the right of a pond then fork right for Rowsley. Stick parallel to the woods on your right but look left for the hunting tower and Russian Cottage. Chatsworth itself is hidden in the dip but it’s not as though you’re being starved of something to look at.
Russian Cottage with the hunting tower behind from the edge of Calton Pastures and Manners Wood.
A ladder stile or an easier gate leads into the woods where a path takes you back to the concessionary path from which point you should have no issues retracing your steps back to the start.
Start: Peaktor Lane, Rowsley.
Highlight: Views from Calton Pastures.
Lunch: Pack-up on that bench near Handley Lane.
Music: A day before Rufus Wainwright’s 50th birthday, here’s Memphis Skyline.
Distance/map: 7.7 miles. OS Explorer OL24 The Peak District/White Peak Area.
OS © Crown copyright [2022] CS-29042-R6R3Z6
Walks with welf 