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Derwent Valley: Belper and Duffield

I'm getting into familiar territory with this walk. Duffield is one of the closest places that I can easily drive to and climb a hill, so I've done lots of walking around here. It's surprising how many new places I still see, though.

Temperature: warm. Likelihood of being attacked by hordes of nettles: low. I decide to wear shorts. It's a good choice. The paths are well-trodden, and the sun is bright, though there's a pleasant breeze. There's plenty of free parking by Duffield church, so I drive there and walk across a field to the main road. Veering left up King Street, there is lots to see: the Methodist church, a butchers, and a penny-farthing gate.



At the cemetery, I turn right and pick up a path towards the golf course. I'm heading towards the Chevin Hills here, which are the absolute lower reaches of the Pennine range. The ancient trackway along the ridge of the hills is another favourite walk. But today I'm just going straight down the other side towards Milford. The path is a tunnel through rock and holly.




All of a sudden, I'm on a proper road, with a neat row of terraced cottages. I cross the railway, which deals with the Chevin Hills by disappearing into Milford Tunnel. I'm now on Chevin Road. The River Derwent comes into view on my right.





Soon I turn onto a track which squeezes between the river and a sewage works. I could cross over to Belper on a footbridge here, but I decide to keep going up to Belper Bridge. The path is flat and the hills cradle me in a great green bowl.



At Bridgegate House there is a sign saying that the path ahead is closed, and the footbridge over the river has been opened specially for a diversion. I'm delighted to be able to cross a bridge which is normally closed, and intrigued. It's paved with stone, so it doesn't look like a railway bridge. And the path which goes along the Derwent on the other side must surely have been a road at some point. What was it for?



I continue until I recognise where I am - behind Morrisons and B&M. There's a picnic bench with a good view of the river (I try not to read the rude graffiti) so I stop for lunch.



 The mysterious old track continues across the corner of Morrisons car park and past the rugby club, where it turns into an avenue of horse chestnut trees and comes out onto the A6. I am just wondering how I can possibly satisfy my curiosity, when I spot a heritage plaque that says "Strutt Carriageway". So that's what it is! The QR code takes me to an information page where I find out that it was built by John Strutt to get to his house on the other side of the river, without having to go through the middle of Belper. There is a gate and lodge to protect access to his private road.




On the other side of the A6 is the Strutts Community Centre (formerly Herbert Strutt School) and a building which looks like a swimming pool. Oh, it was - the Herbert Strutt Baths. Now it's a nursery. A little way up the hill is a Catholic church dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.




I follow a road called The Fleet to a point where it crosses the Derwent Valley Heritage Way, close to the Coppice car park where I'd finished last time. Unfortunately this means I go downhill, then turn onto the Way and go straight back up again. Oh well. The upward journey is through the woods of Belper Nature Reserve, so it's not too bad. Someone has arranged their rubbish neatly on a bridge.



There's a long straight track called Wildersley Road which I think I recognise from a previous walk. Isn't there a gorgeous garden along here? Oh yes, here it is.



I pause for a quick sit-down on the steps at Shaw Lane, then cross some fields above Milford and drop down to Makeney. It's a shame that the DVHW misses out Milford village, as it has plenty of heritage; the Strutts had mills here, too.



In Makeney, the Holly Bush Inn has people sitting outside in the sunshine. Looks like a good idea to me. I order a half pint of lemonade and bag a table.



My route back is easy. I follow a road called Duffield Bank, which runs along the side of the Derwent Valley. The steep gorges of Matlock Bath have long gone, and the view spreads out before me, stunningly green.


dry stone wall!


 I manage a selfie on the bridge over the Derwent, then drop into St Alkmund's Church for a few minutes at the end of the walk. The church has a well-cared-for feel to it. The walk has felt like that too; lots of clear footpaths through lush scenery. Very enjoyable.




12 May 2025

9.7 miles / 15.6 km


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