Wirksworth Station

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Wednesday 14 July 2021

7 ½ miles Leader Jane H.

17 of us met at Wirksworth, in the railway station car park curtesy of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.  A perfect walking day, sunny with a pleasant coolish breeze. We followed the Ecclesbourne Valley Way and along the Alport extension taking us up to Alport Height. Then an interesting circuitous route back to Wirksworth via Ashleyhay hamlet. 7 ½ miles and 1,200 feet accent and decent. Lovely woods, old lanes, fields and little hidden valleys. Very lovely and we hardly saw anybody all day. Features of note. A Red Kite soaring above us at coffee break, below Alport.  Alport car park is totally blocked off to cars. When will it be opened again? We had the usual magnificent views from there but it’s a shame they are no longer available to people who can’t walk.
Not the easiest route to negotiate because paths and stiles have become very over-grown. The plant growth this year, with heat and wet has been very prolific. Lots of lovely summer flowers and beautiful grasses in the meadows. We finished the walk through Gorsey bank, a little hamlet near Wirksworth. With some lovely old buildings, Providence Mill, Gorsey Bank House with a wonderful garden and a lovely little Catholic Church. A good day’s walk. Jane H.

Picture by James W.

   Pictures by John HT