This is a delightful walk, through undulating South Derbyshire countryside. Visiting Poppy Wood a National Forest site, off Breach Lane, where around 260 willows have been planted. The charming little village of Kings Newton is also visited. Before returning down Ward’s Lane which lost its status as a main road many years ago and is now just a rural access road.
Hardinge Arms, Kings Newton
LOOK OUT FOR
Route Point 1 – A grass triangle of land at the junction of Stanton-by-Bridge’s main street with the A514 is the site of an oak tree planted to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. This marks the start of the village’s main street which is usually remarkably quiet. The fact the village does not have a shop, pub or school all adds to the peace. This though is not the case at the eastern end, where the busy A514 disturbs the calm. The road is particularly busy at weekends, when motor car/bike racing is taking place at nearby Castle Donington and the roar of racing engines can be heard throughout Stanton if the wind is blowing in that direction.
Point 4 – Poppy Wood is a National Forest site off Breach Lane, where around 260 willows were planted. All cricket bats are traditionally manufactured from Cricket Bat Willow, and British bats are considered the best in the world. Visitors are guided around the wood’s circular walk by helpful information boards. Whether you are interested in cricket or not, the stroll around Poppy Wood adds further value to this walk.
Poppy Wood, National ForestIngleby Road junction with A514, Stanton-by-Bridge
Point 5 – The main road through the small village of Kings Newton was described by Nicholas Pevsner as, ‘one of the most attractive main streets in Derbyshire’. Pevsner wrote a series of 46 volumes of county guides, under the title of ‘The Buildings of England’ (1951-1974). It is a gem of an old English village, with a great variety of well-cared-for old houses covering a wide age range, that all blend superbly together as a whole. A cottage with three crucks, one of which is visible from the outside, is considered to have been ancient when Elizabeth I came to the throne. Many of the other houses date back to the 18th century although there are a few of recent origin.
Point 8 – There has been a bridge at Swarkestone for over 800 years, and from the early days the bridge and causeway provided an important route south from Derby. At the southern end of the causeway, the road turned east along what is now known as Ward’s Lane to King’s Newton, before the new road was built. The name of the old road is said to have been derived from a cottage that stood in the lane and was lived in by Mrs Ward. It was demolished in the late 19th century.
Ward’s Lane, Stanton-by-BridgeMain Street, Kings Newton
Point 9 – The Holy Well, a spring of pure drinking water where local inhabitants once filled their buckets. In 1985, the local Civic Society restored the well and its surrounds and it was re-dedicated by the Vicar of Melbourne. There is a plaque by the well on which is carved the original inscription. The availability of water was essential to our ancient ancestors in choosing a site to set up a settlement.
Point 10 – Swarkestone Bridge and Causeway at a length of three-quarters of a mile, is the longest stone bridge in the country. It holds Grade I listed building status and is one of the outstanding historic bridges of England. There has been a bridge here for over 800 years, confirmed by documentary evidence dating back to 1204—the present causeway dates from the late 13th or early 14th centuries. The bridge itself was destroyed by floods in 1795 and replaced between 1795-7 by a new bridge. At one time a bridge chapel and toll house stood partway across the causeway. It is probably best remembered for one of the most noteworthy incidents in English history when an advanced party of Jacobite troops reached the bridge in 1745 only to be recalled by their leader. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, frequently known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, was looking to overthrow the English Monarch but support for the cause was poor and the mission was abandoned.
Swarkestone Bridge and CausewayHoly Well, Kings Newton
WALK DETAILS
Length: 4 miles.
Start: Off the A514 Swarkestone to Ticknall road, only a short distance from Swarkestone Bridge and Causeway.The walk starts by the grass triangle and oak tree at the eastern end of the main village street. Roadside parking is available near the A514 (SK372273). Ensure appropriate walking gear is worn and carry a Ordnance Survey Map – OS 245 National Forest.
Terrain: An easy walk, with little by the way of ascent or descent mainly through fields and along access tracks. The paths are mostly well marked but with a few potentially muddy patches in wet weather.
THE ROUTE
From the grass triangle and oak tree at the eastern end of the village, walk straight down Ingleby Road for approximately a third of a mile. Immediately after passing St Michael’s Church leave Ingleby Road and fork to the left on an access track between houses to reach the corner of a field.
Storage Building near Kings NewtonFrom this point walk up a gentle slope, keeping close to the hedge on your right. Go through a gate at the top of the slope and continue close to the hedge on your right to the top corner of the field.
Leave the field by a stile over a watercourse, angle at about 15 degrees to the right up the next field. At the top, turn sharp left to walk down Wood End Lane to the A514.
Cross the road with care and go down Breach Lane, after a short distance, make an optional visit to Poppy Wood. You can walk around the wood, which is part of the National Forest, along a surfaced path. Before returning to Breach Lane and continuing your walk to reach the B587.
Continue straight ahead along the pavement and where the road curves to the right. Keep straight on along the road in front of you heading towards Kings Newton.
Maintain the same direction at the mini-roundabout to walk down the main village street, passing the Hardinge Arms on the way, The street was described by Nicholas Pevsner as, ‘one of the most attractive main streets in Derbyshire. Pevsner wrote a series of 46 volumes of county guides, under the title of ‘The Buildings of England’ (1951-1974).
Trent Lane, Kings NewtonAt a road intersection by a market cross, turn left down Trent Lane. Almost immediately, you fork to the left along an access road fronting a row of houses. Follow the road around as it bends sharply to the left, to reach the end. Where you cross a stile into a field. Walk straight across the field along an identifiable path, ignoring all footpaths to the right and left.
On reaching the far side of the field, go over a stile into Ward’s Lane and turn right. This was once an important thoroughfare, but now only acts as a field access route for much of the way,
A few yards down the lane, look out for a sign for the Holy Well, which is down a flight of steps on your right.
Continue along the lane, for about one and a quarter miles. The lane eventually bends to the right and then the left to reach the A514. To your right is Swarkestone Bridge and Causeway. At the end of Ward’s Lane, follow the path as it curves around Hollow Farm and walk up the pavement to the top of the hill. Turn right into Stanton-by-Bridge where you started the walk.
