This is not intended as a walk guide
This walk turned out to be a fascinating exploration of historic Wirksworth. Having managed to find some appropriate roadside parking I headed out along Cromford Road and then turned left at the Lime Kiln pub, making for Stoney Wood, a nature conservation area created by volunteers. An ascending path beamed me up to the Star Disc created by artist Aidan Shingler. It is a 21st century stone circle with a span of 12 metres, set in black granite that has been carved with a star chart and is used as a venue for celestial events.
From this high vantage point I descended Greenhill, admiring far reaching views with every step. This part of Wirksworth is a mishmash of characterful properties set around a maze of narrow pathways, many still cobbled from long ago. Every so often I got a glimpse of St Mary’s, topped by its teeny weeny spire, somewhat overshadowed by the clock tower of the Town Hall built in 1873 rather surprisingly using Yorkshire stone.
On the steep descent I passed Babington House which once served as a cottage hospital and workhouse. It stands in the former quarry from whence it was born!
Eventually I arrived at the bottom of The Dale, emerging into the heart of the town set around the old market place – Wirksworth was awarded its market charter in 1306 by Edward I.
I crossed over to the library where a milestone from the turnpike era states our country’s capital to be 139 miles distance. Further down the hill was Wirksworth Station, terminus of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, a heritage line of some 9 miles.
Over the road from the station I turned right, initially following a level path beside the playing fields of Anthony Gell’s School (established in 1576) before heading uphill to Gorseybank by crossing a bridge over Hannage Brook followed by a speedy hop over the railway line after making sure there were no trains on the track.
Up to my right was Boggarts Inn Farm, named after a mythical goblin like creature said to be found hereabouts. The path led up to a fabulous old lane where I turned right and wandered along to Gorseybank then turned down past the former Providence Mill of 1886 which until its closure was one of several tape mills in the town, manufacturing narrow fabrics such as red tape that was used to bind legal and government documents.
A left a little further down and I was on the up again, this time on the approach to Hob Hall before a sharp right back downhill to the bottom of the vale of Ecclesbourne. A fingerpost sign indicated the final stretch of the path across a field to the railway line and then to Derby Road.
A short walk to the right on the roadside pavement took me to Cinder Lane at Millers Green where in 1777 Richard Arkwright established a cotton spinning mill 6 years after his more famous Cromford one, later to be known as Haarlam Mill.
Arriving at Speedwell Mill which is now converted to residential accommodation I headed up a footpath taking me past the recreation ground and then over a field and stiles to join up with Summer Lane.
My return into the centre of Wirksworth provided me with a bit of property envy as I wandered down through a residential part of the town followed by a pathway known as Foggs Entry leading onto St John’s Street.
Sally Mosley
FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: Hello again darlings. I’m a bit of a drama queen and can act out various characters. My Angelina Ballerina performance is for when I don’t want to go for a walk. I make myself look very tall and slim then move extremely slowly on tippy toes across the room. I’ve been doing this for some time now and it never fails to make mum and dad smile. However my latest portrayal is Nellie the sloth! Because my leg is almost totally healed but I’m still on limited distance short lead walks I get frustrated when mum says we have to turn around and go back. It also comes in handy when she tries to drag me up the boring allotment. Suddenly I can slip to the ground and go all floppy. I only do it when there is nice soft grass to lie on as I’d hate to get mud or dirt on my lovely fur coat, don’t you know. It’s hilarious as mum tries to scoop me up and make me stand but I go totally limp with a big snigger on my face. I can make it last for several minutes too, much to mum’s frustration. Evidently there is an award given at the Cannes Film Festival for the best performance by a dog. It’s called the Palm Dog Award. Mum says she’s going to tik tok me! I’d better get writing my speech! Au revoir xxx
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