SwadWalks
Circuit of Foremark Reservoir By Dot Morson
A very pleasant walk at any time of year. The cafe at Foremark Visitor Centre is open at weekends and during summer months during the week. Take advantage of the picnic tables overlooking the reservoir and toilets, for once, en route. Carver’s Rocks nature reserve managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is one of the highlights. Look out for woodland birds. You should hear buzzard overhead and the hammering of great spotted woodpecker. The reservoir is home to a variety of water fowl - resident mallard, tufted duck, coot, mute swan and Canada geese. Ensure that you appreciate retrospective views especially at the top of the last ascent where you can look north towards the Peak District and the Trent Valley.
Starting points 1. Park at the top of Gravelpit Hill, Brook Street, Hartshorne DE11 7AW; or 2. Park at the Foremark Reservoir Visitor Centre DE65 6EG. A parking charge applies. Distance: 5 miles Stiles: 1 Terrain: Country lanes, arable & pasture fields, woodland rides and surfaced paths and tracks. Walking boots are essential as farmland can be muddy.
Starting point 1
From the pull in by the side of a pony field where you park, keep the fence on your left and the woodland on the right. Pass Greengates on your left, then bear right at the Y junction. After 350 metres take the kissing gate on the right to * walk by the side
SWADStyle
of a gallop. The footpath is clear on the ground; next through a gate; across a paddock, through another gate and then over a stile. Aim downhill across the arable field to enter Carver’s Rocks by an information board. The route meanders through the woodland, again it is clear on the ground. Over a low wooden bridge soon bear slightly left and continue ahead to a yellow topped marker post having passed the marshy southern end of the reservoir. Turn left here and make your way along the path to leave Carvers Rocks by another information board. Go through a gap and after 50 metres turn left. You have joined The National Forest Way. The route is surfaced and engineered with steps and handrails. There are intermittent views of the reservoir through the woods on your left. Continue straight ahead following The National Forest Way markers to reach the Visitor Centre and starting point 2.
Starting point 2
From the Visitor Centre use the access road. Pass through the car park and then pass the children’s play area on your right. Make your
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way downhill to leave the site and turn left along the road. Cross over to make use of the wide grass verge for a kilometre. Just before the bend, just after the entrance to the sailing club cross back and after 100 metres take the farm track on the left. Pass Brookdale Farm on your right and continue along the gravel bridleway that curves gently to the left. The route is clear on the ground. Soon you have walked uphill onto Repton Common. At the access road to Fairview Farm turn right at this junction. Look right to appreciate the view over South Derbyshire and onwards to the Peak District. Stay on the tarmac road for starting point 1 to reach your vehicle having passed the mast and the entrance to Bondwood Farm. For starting point 2 con- tinue along the tarmac road for 200 metres after the entrance to Bondwood Farm then take the kissing gate on the left. Follow the instructions from * to return to the Visitor Centre.
Foremark Reservoir remains open for local people to exercise. Local is defined as the village, town, or part of a city where you live.
February 2021
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