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Derwent Valley: Exploring the Astons

It was the hottest day of the year so far, with a forecast high of 32°C, and I was setting out to walk around three places with very similar names: Elvaston, Alvaston, and Ambaston. I was mostly hoping they would be shady!


I was expecting to park at Elvaston Castle Country Park, where there is pay and display parking, but I spotted a large layby in Elvaston village, which was not only free, but also shaded by a large hedge. This meant that I didn't walk through much of the country park. Instead I skirted the edges, passing the village hall, with its decorative windows, and approaching Elvaston Castle itself along an avenue of yew trees.

Elvaston village hall


yew avenue

Elvaston Castle was built for the Earls of Harrington and sold to Derbyshire County Council in 1969. Unfortunately the council is struggling to find enough money to keep the building in a state of repair. The castle isn't open to the public, but the gardens are well worth a walk around.



The estate church, St Bartholomew's, was also closed. There was a sign in the porch welcoming visitors to the next service at the end of July. I went past some dilapidated buildings and onto a driveway with a view of the stable block.




From here, a bridle path led all the way to Alvaston, with a good solid bridge over the A6. The area is labelled as Stocker Flat on the OS map, which was also the name of this block of cottages.

A6 footbridge

Stocker Flat

I hadn't realised that Alvaston actually had an old part. I'd always thought of it as a busy suburb dominated by roundabouts, charity shops, and tightly packed terraces. The area around St Michael's church feels like a quiet backwater. There were a few old buildings still standing, notably this thatched farmhouse.



St Michael's Church was also closed, as there was organ maintenance occurring, but the porch provided a cool place for a drink and a sandwich, with the sound of organ arpeggios drifting out through the door. There was a tomb lid propped up in the corner, and a bird carved roughly in the wall. Someone had added water underneath it in blue pen.


A short distance down the road was the entrance to Alvaston Community Nature Area and the A6 bridge which I had crossed on my last walk. I went over it again, and retraced my steps through Derwent Meadows to the river path.



The next section was somewhat of a hot slog along a flat tarmac path. It would be a nice cycle commute. On foot, with the sun beating down, it was a little tedious.



I was glad to reach Borrowash Bridge. Unusually for a Derwent bridge, it is made of brick. Most have been stone, if older, or modern concrete constructions. I was off the tarmac now, and on a grassy path along a raised embankment. The River Derwent was on my left. To my right, fields spread out over the flood plain. Elvaston Castle Country Park was clearly marked by all the trees on the estate.



Sitting down to eat an apple in a patch of shade, I noticed that there were dozens of white butterflies flitting around above the grass in front of me. Every now and again one would whizz past me, too fast to catch more than a glimpse (or take a photo!) They seemed to be enjoying the heat.

Ambaston

Ambaston Angels Resting Stop!

Ambaston is a small hamlet - a single street - of large houses. I appreciated the "Ambaston Angels" who had provided a bench, although, having just stopped, I didn't make use of it. I continued until I reached a bend in the road where I would pick up the Derwent Valley Heritage Way next time. Then I backtracked a short distance to return to the car along Ambaston Lane. One final walk will get me to Derwent Mouth!

Ambaston Lane

30 June 2025  

7.6 miles / 12.3 km

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