🍁Darley Dale 9 miles🍂Oaker Hill🍂Riverside🍂Ladygrove🍂Two Dales🍁

This walk promises enchanting woodland with brooks and waterfalls, hillsides with scenic views, as well as riverside paths and pretty villages.

Our scenic walk starts from the Village of Darley Dale which is made up of a number of settlements, Two Dales, South Darley, Churchtown and Northwood.
The village is recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Derelie', Darley Dale was known as Darley for 800 years until 'Dale’ was added later in the nineteenth century.

Our route heads through scenic countryside up to Oaker Hill with far reaching views from this pretty spot by a beautiful Sycamore tree..
There's a poem hidden inside the roots of the Sycamore Tree on the top of Oaker Hill..

Legend has it that two local brothers planted a tree each on this hill before going their separate ways, one prospered and his tree survived, the other brother failed and his died..

A poem by William Wordsworth is dedicated to this tree.

Tis said that to the brow of yon fair hill
Two brother clomb; and turning face from face
Nor one look more exchanging, grief to still
Or feed, each planted on that lofty place a chosen tree..
Then eager to fulfil their courses, like two new-born rivers, they in opposite directions urged their way
Down from the far-seen mount
nor blast might kill
Or blight that fond memorial
The trees grew and now entwine, their arms’ but ne’er again
Embraced those brothers upon earth’s wide plain,
Nor aught of mutual joy or sorrow knew
Until their spirits mingled in the sea
That to itself takes all – Eternity”

Leaving this enchanted lonely hill, our path heads down and follows the riverside path to the outskirts of Matlock. The route heads up along lanes to join tracks towards Ladygrove woods.

We soon enter the enchanting Ladygrove woods, as soon as we enter the woodland, water twinkling through the trees comes into view, this is Nancy Dam.
There are a series of 3 dams along the valley, Nancy Dam, Fancy Dam and Potter Dam.
The area around Ladygrove is beautiful, with Sydnope Brook, trickling through Sydnope Dale and a series of old mill ponds cascading into waterfalls full of wildlife.
At the bottom of the dale was a converted stone mill, the area was historically linked to the Dakeyne family in the 1700s, they established a mill powered by water from the local reservoirs and brook, initially producing flax and later lace.

Leaving this enchanting woodland, our route takes us into Two Dales.
The name 'Two Dales' derives from 'Toad Holes', meaning 'Fox Earths'.
Two Dales is surrounded by beautiful countryside, the village is home to a number of historic buildings, including the 12th-century St. Michael's Church, which is a Grade II listed building.
Despite being a small village, Two Dales has a number of local amenities, including a post office, a village hall, and a school, as well as several pubs.

Leaving Two Dales, we head across a few fields and soon reach the A6, crossing over to join the lane which takes us back to our carpark..

An undulating walk with some woodland and hillside ascents along the way

Bring a picnic lunch plenty of snacks and enough water for the walk
As always breaks and catching up stops along the way

Walking boots are essential as well as warm layers and waterproofs
As always, check the weather and dress accordingly

All doggies are welcome on our walks
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Look forward to sharing another adventure with you all..
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