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Rural Ramble 5: Ashford-in-the-Water to Bakewell via Magpie Mine and Lathkill Dale
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| Distance: 9 miles |
Duration: 4 to 5 hours |
Price: £20.00 per person
(Group and family rates available) |
Ashford-in-the-Water |
Although the pretty village of Ashford-in-the-Water is only a mile or so from the town of Bakewell, this walk takes a very roundabout route from one to the other. Ordinarily, this walk starts in the centre of Ashford-in-the-Water, but to more easily comply with the current coronavirus regulations, it has been extended to begin in Bakewell. From Ashford-in-the-Water, it makes a short but fairly challenging climb up out of the Wye Valley to the hilltop village of Sheldon and the preserved ruins of Magpie Mine. It then crosses the fields to the village of Over Haddon, which has an unexpected connection to the British Secret Service and fictional agent James Bond. There, it drops down to the River Lathkill, which it follows through part of the tranquil Lathkill Dale before climbing once more to the area known as Haddon Fields. Following a well-used bridleway, it then drops down to the entrance to Haddon Hall, where you can either leave the walk to visit one of the best preserved medieval houses in the country, or continue onwards for the final two miles to the finish of the walk back in the centre of Bakewell.
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As Bakewell is located on the main road between Matlock and Buxton, this is an ideal walk for anyone located in either town. This location also allows access from other towns along the A6 corridor such as Belper and Stockport, plus the cities of Derby and Manchester. By using the cross-country routes across the Peak District, it is also easily accessed from Chesterfield and Sheffield.
While it does include three short but fairly steep climbs, this is still a relatively easy walk suitable for both adults and older children alike.
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| Distance: |
9 miles. |
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| Duration (approx): |
4 to 5 hours (including breaks). |
| Start point: |
The Stone Shelter,
Fennel Street,
Ashford-in-the-Water,
Derbyshire. |
| Start time: |
9:30am (Weekdays and Saturdays).
10:30am (Sundays and Bank Holidays). |
| End point: |
Rutland Square,
Bakewell,
Derbyshire. |
| Dates available: |
Scheduled walks available on the following dates:
June 1st, 5th, 15th, 19th, 26th, 29th.
July 3rd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 21st, 24th, 27th, 31st.
August 4th, 7th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 28th.
September 1st, 4th, 7th, 18th, 25th, 28th.
October 2nd, 4th, 11th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 30th.
November 3rd, 6th, 8th, 17th, 23rd.
(Online pre-booking is essential for these walks.)
Private group bookings are also available on a date of your choosing via a Personal Walking Guide for any date from March 1st to November 23rd 2024 (subject to availability). |
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When is this walk available?
Scheduled walks are available at least once each month between the beginning of March and the end of November. If you wish to have the exclusive services of one of our guides, it may also be booked privately between March and November on a date of your choice via a Personal Walking Guide. This walk is usually available for private bookings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, Fridays, Most Saturdays and some Sundays.
All bookings are subject to the availability of a suitable guide - Please see our online calendar or e-mail us for availability of your chosen date.
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Prices.
The following prices apply for this walk:
| Ticket |
Price |
Deposit
(Included in overall price) |
Adult or Child aged 16 and over
(Up to 8 people in group)
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£20.00 per person |
£5.00 per person |
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of up to 5)
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£60.00 per group |
£20.00 per group |
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 6 to 10)
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£100.00 per group |
£25.00 per group |
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 11 or more)
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£150.00 per group |
£37.50 per group |
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Reduced rates for under-16s, plus discounted family tickets also available, giving cheaper prices for groups including children aged 15 and under. Please e-mail us for details and to book.
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Travel to and from the walk.
This walk is easily accessible by public transport via the hourly High Peak Buses "Transpeak" service between Derby and Buxton. Due to the limited amount of public parking in Ashford-in-the-Water, it is a little more difficult to access by car, although it is possible to park in Bakewell and take the bus to Ashford-in-the-Water.
Information on how to get to and from this walk can be found on our travel information page.
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Is there anything special I need to bring?
Given the length of this walk, a good pair of walking boots is essential. The weather can be quite variable and there is little shelter along the route, so it is important to also have a good set of waterproof clothing. As the walk takes place in all weathers, and the section around Magpie Mine is very exposed, you may need warm clothing too. It is also recommended that you bring plenty of water with you, as there are no real opportunities to purchase it along the route of the walk.
We also recommend that you do not wear shorts or other clothing that leaves your lower legs exposed. This is because there is one section of the walk in particular, through Lathkill Dale, where at certain times of the year it may be necessary to push through heavy vegetation that overhangs the narrow riverside path. As this vegetation can include nettles and brambles, having bare legs is not recommended.
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Are there any disabled access issues?
Unfortunately, this walk is not suitable for wheelchairs due to the terrain involved and the presence of locked gates and stiles.
Those with other mobility issues may also find this walk difficult due to the presence of stiles and the steepness of some of the gradients. If you are able to cope with these, then the rest of the route should not prove too difficult. If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact us prior to booking.
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Is this walk suitable for dogs?
Yes, this walk is suitable for dogs. However, we do ask that you keep your dog under close control at all times as the route of the walk passes through fields where there may be livestock present. If you wish to bring your dog with you, please notify us beforehand.
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Booking
You can book places on any of our scheduled walks via the PayPal button below. Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.
If you wish to make a Personal Walking Guide booking for this walk, please see our Personal Walking Guide booking page here.
Bookings for scheduled walks can be made at any time up to 48 hours before the intended date of your walk, or up to 72 hours beforehand for Personal Walking Guides. We regret that we cannot accept bookings made less than 48 hours prior to the planned start time of the walk (72 hours for Personal Walking Guide bookings).
Please ensure before booking that the date you require is not listed below and on our online calendar as unavailable or fully booked, and that you have read and agree to our terms and conditions.
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Personal Walking Guide Availability - Ashford to Bakewell via Lathkill Dale
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| Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Bank Holidays |
| Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Some* |
Yes |
Most* |
Most* |
Most* |
| * = Please contact us for details of availability |
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Book a place on this walk
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Latest booking news
- Due to all guides being fully employed on other walks on those dates, we are unable to accept any bookings for October 5th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 24th and 25th, or for November 7th, 9th and 30th. Please see our online calendar for full details of guide availability.
- Bookings are open for all scheduled dates listed, and close at 9:30am two days prior to the date of the walk.
- We are now accepting Personal Walking Guide bookings for this walk for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, Fridays, most Saturdays and some Sundays from March 1st to November 23rd 2024.
- We are also accepting advance enquiries for March to October 2025.
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Important: Before booking, please make sure that the date you wish to book is not listed as already being fully booked in the "Latest booking news" section above.
Please select the number of places you would like to book and enter the date required.
Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.
By placing a booking with us, you are accepting and agreeing to our terms and conditions.
If you encounter any problems with your booking, or have any questions about this walk, please e-mail us.
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