This next section involved rather a lot of road walking. Even when footpaths existed, they tended to be overgrown and unpredictable, so that I was glad to get back to a bit of tarmac. Still, there were some sweeping views across the Dove Valley, a bit of geology, and a pretty postbox topper in Scropton.
Walk 1 - Tutbury to A515
I returned to Tutbury picnic area on a Sunday afternoon, to continue heading west along the Dove. After Hatton, the next bridge is Aston Bridge, carrying the A515 over the river, and that was my goal today. I set off along Old Scropton Road, which gradually turned into a footpath.
 |
| The Dove with ominous clouds |
There was a footbridge over the railway line, but the path continued on the same side, too. I followed it across a field of sheep and reached a level crossing. By this time there were frequent rumbles of thunder overhead. As I got to the road, the rain came down as if someone had turned on a tap. I'd hoped I might have reached a bus shelter or something, but had to huddle under a decidedly inadequate tree. In front of me, the road quickly filled up with water.
Fortunately that was the only rain of the afternoon. I dodged puddles to Scropton, and spent the rest of the hike drying out again. At Scropton there was a Road Closed sign. "Great," I thought, "this will be a nice quiet walk." Five cars passed me in the next five minutes, and I realised that Leathersley Lane was not closed after all. Sure enough, there was no sign at the far end.
 |
| old farm on Leathersley Lane |
Aston Bridge appeared to have been mended with giant Lego bricks. A large chunk of the original stonework had fallen into the river, leaving a gaping hole. I scurried across before any more of it disintegrated.
After I crossed the railway, the map showed a footpath along a small lane running parallel to the main road, so I tried it. It took me through a very beautiful private garden, and then disappeared, leaving me confused and unwilling to trespass on any more gardens. I think it was supposed to go through a tractor dealership. Instead I found it on the other side, and cut across fields to Coton in the Clay.
From here I had to follow the road for a while, but it was nicer than I expected - less traffic and more pavement. I passed the British Gypsum works, with a large lump of gypsum outside. It sparkled in the sun and felt dusty under my fingers.
Finally I reached a footpath with a nice clear sign to Tutbury. The farmer had made an obvious effort to separate walkers and cows, which I appreciated, though I think most of the cows had moved elsewhere. Above me, the ruins of Tutbury Castle poked their heads above the trees.
I met the Dove again near a weir, crossed a sluice bridge, and followed a blessedly easy path back to the car park. It had felt like a long walk.
14.6 km / 9 miles
26 May 2024
Walk 2 - A515 to Marchington
This was a shorter loop, all on the south side of the River Dove. Sudbury Hall is on the north side. It's a great place to visit, but there are no footpaths at all, except for one running down to what must have been a ford, once. I didn't go to see if it was still fordable.
I parked near the Swan Inn in Draycott-in-the-Clay (yes, another village-in-the-clay; you can see why I didn't want to walk this route in winter!). There was a mile's walk up the A515 to start, which took me to the Boar's Head hotel.
 |
| Victorian postbox by the Boar's Head |
From there I followed a deserted track past a care home and a couple of farms. It wound its way over the flat flood plain, swinging close to the river, then away again. I caught a glimpse of the gold ball on top of Sudbury Hall, over the trees. The track crossed the railway on a rather snazzy crossing, with traffic lights. I went past a community orchard and arrived in Marchington.
 |
| apple tree in the orchard |
Marchington's nearest neighbours are a prison, a landfill site, and an industrial estate, so I think I can be forgiven for not expecting much of it. Actually it turned out to be an attractive village. I passed the almshouses, village hall, primary school, and cricket club, and found a footpath leading up to a trig point on Hound Hill (99m above sea level).
 |
| almshouses, Marchington |
 |
| trig point, Hound Hill |
I was a bit unsure about the footpaths from this point, as they all seemed to be interrupted by the landfill site. Descending Hound Hill, I crossed a field and then walked along an overgrown line of tarmac between two hedges. That brought me out opposite the entrance to the prison.
I stuck with the road almost all the way back to the A515, where I diverted up Ashe's Lane and Toby's Hill, then across a couple of fields back to the Swan.
9.6 km / 6 miles
9 June 2024
Comments