Countryside around Linacre Reservoirs

Starting from The Peacock car park we take a bridleway passing close to Cutthorpe Hall and continue along field and woodland paths to reach the lower Linacre Reservoir, one of three reservoirs built between 1855 and 1904 to provide water to Chesterfield. We walk along the North shore of the middle reservoir, pass through Linacre Wood, and continue beside the upper reservoir. We cross Birley Brook for the ascent through woodlands to the hamlet of Wigley. From here we proceed downhill on farm tracks past Bagthorpe Farm and Frith Hall to the River Hipper valley before ascending steeply along a winding country lane. We pass “The Angel of the Midlands” and Westwick Farm and cross the river to ascend the other side of the valley into Old Brampton. Passing the church of St. Peter and St. Paul and Brampton Hall, we descend to the top edge of Linacre Wood and cross the dam of the lower reservoir to return through Kitchenflat Wood for an optional debrief at The Peacock.

This is a moderate walk of 7.5 miles along field and woodland paths, bridleways and quiet minor roads. It is an undulating walk with several stiles and will take approximately 3.5 hours plus lunch stop.