MICKLEOVER WALK
MICKLEOVER WALK
Mickleover walk or bicycle ride takes you down the beautifully restored Mickleover railway line. Where the former trackbed has been resurfaced and forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route 68). After leaving the starting point of the walk. You soon find yourself enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside. Surrounded by fields and picturesque woodland glades. On reaching Etwall walkers have the opportunity to explore the village and perhaps enjoy refreshments. Before returning to the track used earlier in the walk and heading back to the starting point of the walk.
Route Point 1 – The Great Northern Inn, Station Road
The Great Northern Railway arrived in Mickleover in the late 1870s. Its station was over one mile from the centre of the village This led to a housing expansion near the station. When two quiet country roads, Goosecroft Road and Mackworth Road were renamed Station Road. It only took six minutes to get to Friargate Station (GNR always used one word), in the centre of Derby and at the same time to return. This attracted many new residents, who liked the idea of living in the country. The brickyard opposite the station was enlarged and several large villas and smaller houses were built along the tree-lined road.
The Great Northern Inn provides a nostalgic reminder of the line. Built around 1878 it was named after the railway. There is a large lawn area with picnic tables adjacent to the car park and a patio with tables and potted plants. Inside there are three bar areas with modern decor and an emphasis on dining though there are easy chairs as well.
Point 2 – Mickleover for Radburn Railway Station
The Great Northern Railway built the station, on their Ilkeston to Egginton line. In a cutting off Mackworth Road, now Station Road. It was named Mickleover for Radbourne, as it was in that parish. Originally it was spelt “Radburn” and, for a while, “Radbourn”. The station was a substantial brick building with a two-storey station master’s house and single-storey offices. The main purpose of the line was to carry freight, with a limited passenger service also available.
The line closed for regular passenger trains in 1939 along with Egginton Junction and Etwall Station. Following the withdrawal of LNER services to Burton-upon-Trent. Excursion trains continued to call for several years, before total closure on 3 February 1964. However, the line itself remained open as a test track for British Rail Research for several years.
Point 3 – Mickleover Railway Walk
After leaving Etwall you soon join the former Great Northern Railway Line that linked Derby’s Friargate Station to Egginton Junction. Where it joined the North Staffordshire Railway line. The trackbed has now been resurfaced for public use and is referred to as the Mickleover Railway Walk (Cycle). It takes you along the beautifully restored railway line and forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route 68). The Great Northern pub on Station Road, Mickleover is a starting point for many walkers and cyclists. On this easy seven-mile journey to Etwall and back(3.5 miles each way).
Point 5 – John Port Spencer Academy
In 1952, the Derbyshire County Council bought Etwall Hall from Reg Parnell. The famous racing car driver who bred pigs and kept a pedigree dairy herd at Findern. The hall had been used during the Second World War by the Army. First as a petrol depot and later as an equipment supply centre. But it was left in a somewhat dilapidated state. A secondary modern and a secondary grammar school were built on the site. In 1959, they were amalgamated to form the John Port School.
The name of the Port family. Who once lived at the hall, has been associated with Etwall since the 15th century. The family’s most famous son, Sir John Port, was the founder of Repton School and Etwall Almshouses. It, therefore, seems entirely appropriate that the new school was named after him. The school now has in the region of 2,000 students with plans to expand. It has now been converted into the John Port Spencer Academy. The pupils travel from a wide catchment area.
Point 6 – St Helen’s Church
Etwall is situated to the south-west of Derby and has grown enormously since the end of the Second World War, but still retains an attractive village centre. St Helen’s Church and the Sir John Port Almshouses set on the slightly rising ground are particularly appealing. The fine wrought-iron gates by Robert Bakewell, that hang outside the almshouses, restored in the 1980s, add an extra touch of quality. Standing in front of the almshouses, St Helen’s Parish Church is believed to date back to a small stone-built church by the Saxons. The present building dates from the 12th century when the church became monastic property. The Norman south doorway and two-arched arcade still survive, but the roof and almost all of the stained glass are from the 19th century.
Point 7 – Sir John Port Almshouses
As you walk up Church Hill take a minute to admire the Sir John Port Almshouses. The original almshouses lasted over 100 years before they were replaced in 1681 with a building to accommodate twelve men. In 1986, an extensive modernisation programme took place to provide eight two-storey units and two flats, but with the external appearance left unaltered. The ‘Bakewell Gates’ that once graced the entrance to Etwall Hall, but had for many years lain untouched in the cellar of the school, were returned to their former glory and re-hung at the entrance to the almshouses. These date from 1715 and are named after a local ironsmith with a national reputation whose work can also be seen at Derby Cathedral.
MICKLEOVER WALK DETAILS
Length: 7.5 miles/ 7 miles (cyclists) not including Etwall visit.
Start: Great Northern Public House -car parking is available near the Old Railway Station Building on the opposite side of the road. (SK).
Terrain: Easy-level walking along the resurfaced former Great Northern Railway line. The section leading from Etwall back to the route old railway line might be a little muddy in wet weather and is not suitable for cyclists.
MICKLEOVER WALK ROUTE
- Start from the Great Northern Inn that fronts the B5020 on Station Road at Mickleover.
2. With the Great Northern Inn at your rear cross the road and turn left turn. Once over the former railway bridge, turn right and follow the access road past the old railway station now converted into accommodation.
3. The Mickleover Railway Walk is 3.5 miles in length and you soon leave the houses on the outskirts of Mickleover behind. The walk soon opens up with fields on both sides of the track where scattered farmhouses are to be seen and country cottages. You also pass areas of woodland and will be able to hear the birds singing on this lovely peaceful walk.
4. After passing under the Pink Bridge (Derby Road) with houses on your left look out for an exit on your left opposite a Great Northern Greenway sign. After leaving the trail follow Station Close to the left up to Derby Road. Where you turn right past Etwall Leisure Centre and walk towards the village centre.
5. Follow the road around as it curves to the left past the John Port Spencer Academy which occupies much of the land on the western side of the road.
6. At the foot of Church Hill stands St Helen’s Church in the centre of the Village. At this point, you might like to take a look around the village and possibly enjoy some refreshments.
7. Walk up Church Hill past the Sir John Port Almshouses fronted by the ‘Bakewell Gates’ that once graced the entrance to Etwall Hall designed by a local ironsmith with a national reputation. On reaching the entrance to Etwall Cricket Club; continue down a narrow path, with the cricket ground on the other side of the hedge. Cross Sutton Lane and keep straight on down the track opposite to a stile at the bottom.
8. Cross the stile and turn sharp left and follow the field around to reach a stile down to the Etwall bypass. Danger, this is a busy fast-moving road and you may have to wait patiently for a suitable opportunity to cross.
9. Once across the road ascend a flight of steps and cross a stile into a field. Keep the hedge close on your left until it bends sharply to the left. Then continue ahead towards a metal gate, beside it is the stile you need to cross. Here you cross the bridge over the former Great Northern Railway Line. Immediately you are over the bridge turn right to descend a flight of steps to the surfaced path you used earlier in the walk. Here you head to the left-back up the track to the starting point of the walk.