Cuckoostone Walk - Matlock Town Council

MATLOCK TOWN WALKSThe walk shown on this leaflet is less than 5.6 km. It canbe walked in a couple of hours or so.Bus routes 17, 64 and 163 take you from the town to thestart of the walk. Ask for Highfields School, Lumsdalesite.Limited lay-by parking is also shown on the map.Enjoy your walk and the beautiful views in and aroundMatlock.The Countryside CodeThere are five sections of The Countryside Codededicated to helping members of the public respect,protect and enjoy the countryside.Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signsLeave gates and property as you find themProtect plants and animals and takeyour litter homeKeep dogs under close controlConsider other peopleFor more informationwww.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

Turn left along Chesterfield Road for 150 m. Thencross the road and walk down the farm drive straightthrough the farm buildings of Wayside Farm passingthrough two gates – one after the other – to comeout into the field beyond the farm. Bear half left andwith the wall on your left pass though the stile at theend of the field. Proceed across the next field towardthe house in front. Go through the squeezer stile tothe right of the house. Walk alongside the wallpassing through two more stiles and a ditch besidethe caravan park, from here bear slightly right to thestile and signpost which brings you out onto thedrive of Packhorse Farm.As the name suggests Packhorse Farm is on the line ofan ancient packhorse route or saltway running fromMatlock towards Ashover and beyond – perhaps it waseven a packhorse inn.Walk along the drive away from the farm. At thecrossroads turn right along the quiet country lane.After passing rhododendrons on both sides of thelane take the style six or seven metres to the left ofthe fieldgate where the lane turns sharp left. Once inthe field walk alongside the wall towards theheather. Keep straight ahead into the trees. Thesetrees hide old quarry workings; at the side of thepath is an unfinished millstone. Stay on the mainpath through the trees until it forks. Follow the rightfork between the banking – the path bears first rightand then left and out into the open.Ahead of you, in the distance, is Highfields School andMatlock, whilst somewhat nearer is a wall jutting outtowards you. Proceed along the path to the right and 300mlater you will come out in front of Highfields School.It will not be obvious to you but this last stretch ofpath will have taken you alongside what remains ofan old dam or mill pond – long silted up. This wasthe topmost dam in the Lumsdale Valley. Aninteresting collection of ruined mill buildings lie in thevalley further downstream. They are being restoredas far as possible and made safe by the ArkwrightSociety which is based at Cromford Mill.If you have the time, do explore the rest of the valley asBentley Brook tumbles down towards the River Derwenta mile or so away.

This walk is free of obstruction but, if you encounter anyproblems, please report them to Matlock Town Council.The public footpaths used on this walk are generally ingood condition but there may be some mud. Walkingboots, strong shoes or trainers are recommended.The Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map No.24 (“ThePeak District White Peak Area”) can be used inconjunction with the Matlock Footpath Map.Bus routes 17, 64 and 163 take you from the town tothe start of the walk. Ask for Highfields School,Lumsdale site.Public transport information0870 608 2 608www.traveline.org.ukRail Times and Fare Enquiries08457 48 49 50www.nationalrail.co.ukACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Town Council would like to thank Charles Wildgoosefor all his work on the design and explanation of the walk.Matlock Town Council, Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road,Matlock DE4 3NL tel: 01629 57488email: townclerk@matlock.gov.ukFor more information about the town and things to do inMatlock visit www.matlock.gov.uk