South Chesterfield Way

The route of the South Chesterfield Way has been revised and was re-launched in April 2011. A new free leaflet is now available at the usual outlets or on request. 

The leaflet illustrates and describes the route from Chesterfield to Clay Cross. The route description in the reverse order is as follows:-

Reverse directions for the South Chesterfield Way from Clay Cross to Chesterfield.

If you have already walked the South Chesterfield Way and would like to see it from the other perspective, here are the reverse directions from Clay Cross to Chesterfield. One thing I can guarantee, the walk is less strenuous this way round. Bus service 51 will drop you off outside the library on Holmgate Road, where there is also a free car park. More parking is available 200yds along Holmgate Road just inside Kenning Park. The numbers match those on the leaflet and are therefore in descending order.

Descend past the library into Kenning Park and head slightly left from the car park over the grass to meet a tarmac path. Cross the footbridge and walk alongside the lake to another car park. Turn right where the tarmac ends and walk parallel with the lane. Join this and then branch right on the field path. Rejoin the lane at point 10 and turn left at the speed restriction signs past Green Acres.

Pass through two small wooden gates and turn right. Cross the wall stile and descend to a gate. Ascend to the farm and follow the waymarks right and then left. Turn left beyond the buildings, pass a kissing gate and cross the centre of the field. Cross the stream and ascend alongside the hedge. Head for the gateway to the right of the house and ascend the drive.

9 Turn right past Woodhead Farm. Pass through the squeezer opposite the junction and follow the field edge for over half a mile. Upon reaching Coldwell Farm, turn right alongside the wall and left at the junction. Pass below the house and out along the lane to a road.

8 Go straight on and then left into Press Lane to enter Britton Wood. Take the central path through the heart of the plantation and continue over a cross-path into a field. Ascend gently along the field edges, through a metal kissing gate and into Hardwick Wood, where you join the Chesterfield Round Walk. Continue ahead and turn left down the lane.

7 Turn right at the bridleway sign and leave the CRW 20yds before The Manor. Bear slightly left beyond the wall corner to the gateway and follow the high ground to a squeezer. Descend alongside the wood to the road beyond Carr House Farm.

If you wish to finish the walk in Wingerworth you have three options – continue along the road, take the path from the chapel or the road from the far side of the dam. See the map. There is little to choose distance-wise. The routes lead to the Barley Mow and bus stops.

For the full route, turn left into Malthouse Lane. There is a welcome seat outside the Salem Methodist Independent Chapel. Be sure to take any litter with you. There is a bin a little further on. Turn right at Stubbing Pond and cross the dam.

6 Turn left and leave the road at the bend. Enter woodland and keep to the high path all the way through to the road. Turn right and then left at the footpath sign just past Harper Hill House Farm. Cross the stile and continue alongside the fence. Cross the bridge and ascend to a gated stile. Pass the house and join the drive.

5 Cross Matlock Road and turn left (bus stop). Cross the wall stile and descend to a gate in the bottom left-hand corner. Pass Walton Lodge Farm, leave the track after 50yds and head for a gate in the top corner. Walk alongside the wall and continue with the fence through two more wicket gates. Head down the centre of the field to the gate left of the farm buildings and turn right down the track to a road.

4 Turn right and then left. Pass through a kissing gate, cross the River Hipper and turn right. Bear left beyond the improved path and pass left of the two trees to a kissing gate. Turn right beyond the footbridge and left along Somersall Lane.

3 Turn right beyond the river into Somersall Park (toilets). Cross the second footbridge and follow the path round to the left. Turn left at the seats and then right beside the stream along the Hipper Valley Town Centre route. Cross Walton Road (bus stop), turn left and then right to join Bobbin Mill Lane. Pass Morrisons, turn left and then right after 50yds along an enclosed walkway. Continue along Goytside Road and Dock Walk.

2 Cross Boythorpe Road into Queens Park and bear left. There are toilets and refreshments beyond the lake. Cross the footbridge and ascend to the Town Hall.

Turn right along Rose Hill and Knifesmithgate towards the Crooked Spire for the bus back to Clay Cross, which departs from behind the Tourist Information Centre.