Where to go for a short walk in Derbyshire to break M1 journey

[VenusClapTrap]

Driving all the way down the M1 today and thought we’d break the journey with a nice walk in the fresh air. Derbyshire would be nice? Peak District? But unfortunately we don’t have wellies or hiking boots with us as we weren’t expecting to have much time (but plans have changed and now we have all day to get home).

I don’t know Derbyshire very well. Any suggestions that would fit the bill? Cake/lunch opportunities a bonus.

Meant to add re the welly lack - so needs to be not too muddy!

Ladybower Reservoir? Good paths and a cafe in the main carpark. Finding a parking space can be a bit tricky depending on when you arrive so keep an eye out on the roadside car parks as you're driving along 😊

What about going up the Heights of Abraham in Matlock? I'm not sure if it's pricey these days but you can get a nice lunch with a view. Or Chatsworth House?

I just came on to say Matlock as well

Heights of Abraham sound great! But Storm Kathleen might have implications for the cable car

If you are going straight down the M1 both Ladybower and Chatsworth require a long detour into Derbyshire and back out again. As you are driving down the M1 you can see Hardwick Hall from the motorway. It's National Trust really interesting house, toilets, cafe. You can walk round in the parkland grounds without going into the house or pay to go in. Would be about 5 mins drive off motorway.

That's miles away from the M1.
They would have to drive through Sheffield to get there.

I second Hardwick Hall or Bolsover Castle.

Does it have to the Derbyshire?
I have friends who live in Leicestershire and have been tor a walk and coffee in Batdgate Park a few times, it ls not far from the M1

It will be extremely muddy and the M1 is quite far from the Peak District. Agree re more chesterfield way or Matlock bath.

I was going to suggest Hardwick Hall as well.

Oh gosh yes! 🤦🏼‍♀️ sorry OP. That would be my worst nightmare today!

It's not the Peak District but cresswell crags is lovely and has walkways. I don't think it's far from the m1 either

Where is the cafe? We live 5 mins from here and I’ve never seen it.

Rotherham Valley Park is not very interesting. And doesn’t have any nice cafes.

Agree with a lot of the others about locations for a walk. You'll be diverting a long way off the motorway for Peak District.

If you get off at j28, you could head to allestree park or markeaton park for a nice walk which has paths so no issues with the mud.
You could go a little further and head on to caulke abbey (NT) or Kedleston Hall (NT)

If you're happy to do a 45 min diversion you could also head to chatsworth but it might be a bit muddy today.

Posted too soon!

Also agree that Matlock bath is nice. You can park at cromford canal, go and have a look at scarthin books (nice cafe there behind the bookcases) and the canal parh is a nice walk. From there you can either start the ascent up towards black rocks on the high peak trail, or follow the canal or the road over the Matlock bath.

Rother Valley Park has a cafe: www.rvcp.co.uk/activities/the-stables-cafe/

Very close to M1, not muddy. Though also not the most beautiful.

I walk in the Peaks all the time but due to no real boots, time constraints and the wind wouldn’t advise it I was there yesterday and saw an enormous branch come off a tree which was a bit scary, was across a field fortunately. I came home covered in mud, ruddy footpath was so overgrown had to take a detour.

Because of your time constraints I would recommend going to Belper and walking around the River Gardens. There is a cafe there I haven’t eaten in it but it looks nice plus it’s a nice little town and has an antiques bric a brac place that interesting to look round. Also a few pubs, have a look online. Just straight down A38.

Agree with @Longma that Rother Valley Park is nice and just a nice relaxing stroll. I’m actually off there with my social walking group next week.

There are some amazing walks in The Peaks, Mam Tor and Dovedale are the really well known ones. Then Derwent Dam and Ladybower plus many lesser known ones where you don’t bump in to people much if at all.

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow its in the car park right near Derwent Dam, it’s really expensive. DH and I are very much take a pack up so in the summer we shared an ice cream we bought in there :)

Sherwood Forest – located 13 miles (25 mins) from both M1 Junction 30 and M1 Junction 29.
Cost: Free. Parking – £3 at weekends and school holidays.
Facilities: Visitor centre, restaurant (also serves snacks), shop, baby changing facilities.

Me too. It's just off junction 27 and much nicer than Calke or Keddleston due to how grand it is ... Bess of Hardwick was a very fascinating woman, one of the most powerful of the Elizabethan era aside from the Queen herself. They've also recently put all of the tapestries back in the long hall, if you do go inside. If you're English Heritage members then you can go in the Old Hardwick Hall too.

You could get off at junction 25 and go to Trent Lock and walk along the river Trent. There are two nice pubs and a lovely tea room there, car parking was free last time I went which was a couple of months ago. I took a mate there once who was visiting and she had never seen a canal lock and loved it. That’s the Derby/Notts border junction.

Yorkshire sculpture park. Very close to the motorway

Get off at J25 Long Eaton Derbyshire. Lovely town with free parking at West Park. Cafe is open at this time of year. Nice play area and splash park should be open too.