This is a relaxing three-mile stroll that takes you through the floodplains of the Derwent, along its riverbank and on through wooded avenues and lakeside paths in Elvaston Castle Country Park on the edge of Derby.
With summer arriving, enjoy the warming sunshine, the waterfowl and birdsong as you follow this flat, accessible route.
1. Parking up at the main carpark at Elvaston Castle Country Park (charge), head southwest through the car park towards the playground. At the noticeboard beyond the playpark, take the leafy path to the lake.
Turn left to round the end of the waterway, passing a boathouse, waterwheel, pumphouse and a tufa limestone arch that frames the lake. Soon Elvaston Castle will come into view, magnificent and stately.
2. Climb the steps of the Gothic Revival country house, built and extended by the Stanhope family, now owned by Derbyshire County Council (and in much need of some TLC).
Veer right to enter the courtyard. Wyatt’s Cafe is your only opportunity for a bite to eat on the walk, but there are plenty of idyllic lawn areas or waterside spots for a picnic along the way.
Pass through the archway on the opposite side of the courtyard below the clocktower and head along the path beside the driveway, ignoring the pathway signed for the nature reserve to continue to a curve on the lane.
Cross over the road to take the broad path on the right, signed as a national cycleway (Birdie Gate Lane). Continue through meadows until you reach a pathway on the right (just before a gate).
3. Take the path through woodland. It zigzags through fields and strips of trees to emerge at the River Derwent. Pause to admire the great weir before turning right onto the broad tarmacked path.
Continue as far as an ornate sign by a bridge, a Millennium project demarcating Route 6 for cyclists. Here the path drops down and curves away from the river before rising again to meet the B5010.
4. Turn right and walk along the pavement a short distance as far as two semi estate houses. Go through the driveway on the far side of the houses (Bedford Drive and Elvaston bridleway) and continue as far as a crossroads. Turning left will take you straight back to the car park, but you will miss the loveliest part of the country park.
5. Instead, turn right to wander through an avenue of trees. Just before a bridge, take the left turn (marked 25x), then turn right to stroll along the lakeside, dotted with tufa constructions, including the Mound that was built to resemble a ruined castle. Enduring decades and centuries of clambering, the soft, porous limestone has been damaged and is now cordoned off.
Veer left at a junction to return to the carpark, but I recommend turning right to return to the castle for a cuppa by the information point first. Then take time to explore the formal Parterre Garden with its boxed hedges, Italian Garden, Old English Garden, Moorish Temple, giant redwood and Cedar of Lebanon.
Indeed, the parkland is filled with impressive conifers and deciduous trees from Japanese cherry to red maple. A stroll through this leafy landscape is a fitting end to an idyllic walk through park, woodland, meadow and beside tranquil waters.
COMPASS POINTS
DISTANCE: 3.3 miles.
GRID REFERENCE: SK 411 331.
MAP: OS Explore Map 259 (you can also pick up a map from the information centre).
DIFFICULTY: Easy walking, mostly flat with surfaced paths and wheelchair accessible.
REFRESHMENTS: Wyatt’s in the courtyard (lunch options) or snacks and drinks from the Information Centre in the outer courtyard. There are picnic benches dotted around the lawns and plenty of idyllic waterside spots to lay a picnic rug.
