This is a lovely relaxing walk-through rolling South Derbyshire countryside. The starting point is Melbourne’s medieval marketplace. In the early part of the walk two of the county’s gems, Melbourne Hall, and the Parish Church of St Michael’s, are passed. Soon afterwards Staunton Harold Reservoir a popular spot for leisure activities is reached. After leaving the reservoir behind the walk passes through Ticknall Lime Yards before reaching the village. From there you head towards Robin Wood, returning to Melbourne past St Bride’s Farm, which is of particular interest to archaeologists.
Main Street, Ticknall
Point 6 – Staunton Harold Reservoir was built between 1959 and 1964 to supply water to the Leicester area. It now provides opportunities for leisure and conservation activities. Wildflower meadows have been planted alongside the path near the sailing club and also recently planted woodland is very much in evidence on the northern side of the path.
Point 8 – Ticknall Lime Yards have long since closed and are now classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Although the area has now been reclaimed by nature, hidden underneath are spoil heaps, rock outcrops and limekilns.
Ticknall LimeyardsStaunton Harold Reservoir
Point 11 – Robin Wood is an area of ancient woodland, formerly owned by Sir Frances Burdett, the 5th Baronet of Foremarke. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London and fined heavily for his radical views. To pay the fine, the oak trees out of Robin Wood were felled and sold.
Point 12 – St Bride’s Farm dating back to Norman times is an important landmark for walkers and archaeologists. In 1994, a skeleton was found below the dining room floor, which is believed to date back to the 12th century. It appears that the farm stands on the site of a former Norman chapel and some of the stones and decorative work from the chapel have been built into the farmhouse. Several other historic finds have been made within the house and adjacent fields.
Robin WoodSt Brides Farm
WALK DETAILS
Length: 5.25 miles.
Start: Melbourne is located on the B587, just off the A514 Derby to Swadlincote road. Castle Square car park is at the bottom of Potter Street near the centre of Melbourne (SK389252). Please wear appropriate clothing and carry an Ordnance Survey Map – The National Forest OS245.
Terrain: An easy, mainly level walk along surfaced paths and through fields, which can be muddy in places.
THE ROUTE
Tower Windmill, Staunton HaroldFrom Castle Square walk past the White Swan down to the main road. Carry straight on, going between Melbourne Hall and the Parish church of St Michael’s with St Mary. Do not go through the gateway to Melbourne Pool, but turn to the right to walk past the western side entry to the church.
Continue ahead along a narrow path, known as the ‘Dark Entry’, to reach Penn Lane, where you maintain the same direction.
Opposite Melbourne Health Centre, follow the footpath on the left, along the top of a field. Where it divides, keep to the right by the hedge. Go through another stile and follow a clear path to the road.
Sailing Staunton Harold ReservoirTurn left and walk down the pavement, ignore the first road turn on the right and take the second, signed for Staunton Harold Reservoir.
Continue ahead along the access road and walk along the bottom end of the reservoir car park to join a surfaced path. Just beyond the top end of the car park is the Old Tower Windmill, which is worth a detour to view.
Follow the path by Staunton Harold Reservoir past the Sailing Club, before eventually reaching Broadstone Lane, where you turn right up the lane. Look out for a footpath sign on your left and go over the stile. Descend the field to cross a footbridge and follow the path straight up the next field.
Follow the field boundary around as it bends to the left. In a corner of the field go over a stile by a metal gate and continue ahead, keeping to the left of the hedge.
Ignore the first access track you come to, and follow the path in front of you, as it bends first to the left around the edge of woodland and then to the right, to join a wide track. The track winds its way through the former Ticknall Lime Yards before reaching the A514.
Here you turn left and walk along the pavement towards the centre of Ticknall. Turn right opposite the entrance to Calke Abbey. Cross the Green and go over the stile opposite side. Angle across a field at about 45 degrees to the right to a stile. Immediately you are through the stile, take the right-hand fork in the path to reach another stile.
Go through the stile and after a few yards start to angle slightly to the left to another stile. Continue along an enclosed path, between a hedge and a wire fence. Go over a stile and an access road and continue in the same direction towards a Wildlife Observation Point you can see in the distance.
Bridle Path, Robin WoodDo not take the path on the left, but continue ahead past the Observation Point to follow a path by the side of a wood, with a wire fence on your right. On reaching an access track, and a Robin Wood sign, turn sharp right and walk along a track to the A514. Cross the busy road to a stile and continue down the field by the side of the hedge.
Stay alongside the hedge as it bends to the left to reach St Bride’s Farm, cross a service road and walk down the path on the right-hand side of the farm complex. Enter a field on your left and leave by a stile, beside a gateway, in the bottom left-hand corner.
Keep straight on at first along a path that gradually swings to the right as you climb gently up the hillside. Walk between some storage buildings. Then follow the access track to the end, cross the busy road and continue ahead along the pavement down Robinson’s Hill.
Turn left at the bottom of the hill and follow the road around to Melbourne. Where the road divides in the centre, keep to the right down Church Street and, then turn left along Castle Street back to the start of the walk.
