Hatton - Tutbury - Hanbury - Fauld Crater - Hatton

Sam Roebuck

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From Hatton and Tutbury Station, we first cross from Derbyshire to Staffordshire over the River Dove. In 1831, a treasure trove of 100,000 coins, thought to have belonged to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was found by workmen just beneath this bridge. Once over the river, we enter the handsome and historical market town of Tutbury. Tutbury is dominated by the ruin of the magnificent 11th Century castle perched high on a hill above the town and we have the opportunity to visit later in the walk.

On our way, we walk through the churchyard of St Mary's Church. Be sure to look behind you as you pass, or you may miss the striking Romanesque arch. To quote Simon Jenkins (of Channel 4's 'England's Thousand Best Churches'), Tutbury has 'as fine a Norman west front that adorns any English church'.

From Tutbury, our walk takes us across predominantly pasture and meadow to the fine village of Hanbury. Whilst the parish church here isn't on our route and is no match for that of Tutbury, it's well worth searching out for its setting overlooking the Dove Valley and the fine cottages and rectory beside it. Returning to our route brings us to the Cock Inn, where a fine lunch or drink can be had.

From Hanbury, our next port of call is the Fauld Crater. The 400ft-deep, 12-acre crater is the site of the largest explosion ever to have happened in Britain. It was caused by the accidental detonation of a store of 4,000 tons of high explosive in 1944; easily said, but the sheer scale of the explosion can only be appreciated by visiting the crater itself, well worth the short diversion from the route.

The return leg provides us with views over the Dove Valley as we drop to the River Dove. Once past the impressive weir that maintains the head of water for the mill fleam, we follow the river back to Tutbury and Hatton and the end of the walk. The views of the castle from here are probably as good as any and look out for heron along this stretch.

England - Central England - Staffordshire - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Castle, Church, Gift Shop, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, River, Wildlife, Woodland

7/28/2014 - Colin Hills

Walked majority of this walk Sunday 27/7/14 - navigation found to be good but the need to take special care is emphasised as some OS paths or waymarks are in some cases non existent or difficult to find! Found the walking close to electric fencing very tedious especially around ‘Castle Hayes Park Farm’. Not walker friendly, no other walkers seen at all that day Many tracks overgrown with the need to keep in single file due to electric fencing. A pity, some lovely views and countryside, the Fauld Crater is quite amazing & thought provoking trying to visualise the enormity of the disaster. For wildlife enthusiasts I would suggest a must, two circling buzzards seemed to indicated good hunting ground! Many Tits and Fitches seen.

5/20/2013 - Mangal Mistry

Hanbury. From Hanbuy the path took me to Fauld Crater. The crater is now overgrown by vegetation and trees so it is difficult to appreciate the size of the crater. Walking around it’s boundary does give some idea of how massive the explosion must have been. Further on, the path gave me great views of the Dove Valley and then down to river Dove, past roaring weir and back to the car park … very enjoyable walk indeed. You can see my photos of this walk at : http://tinyurl.com/po2klw4 Last time I did this walk, I did get lost, but this time I did it manage it OK. Strangely all those electric fences and new signs actually made the walk easier to follow. Paths are now marked much more clearly although you have to walk next to the electric fence. This is true up to ‘Castle Hayes Park Farm’. Beyond that signs and especially the stiles are in bad shape. Some of the instructions may need rewriting. At Point 11, it should say: head for the lone tree in the field and then towards a round water container and then to a brand new stile in the far hedge. At Point 12, it should add: cross farm track and head to far right corner to stile by another telegraph pole, and turn left to the end of the field. At Point 14, it should say: cross the footbridge and turn LEFT (not right). A brand new stile and footbridge is reached before you reach power lines.

7/5/2012 - Walkingworld Admin

Our thanks to Staffordshire PROW Department for putting right a bad situation on this walk. The walk had to be taken down for a remarkably short time and all is now well. July 2012. Adrian (Admin)

3/11/2011 - Walkingworld Administrator

Our thanks to Sam Roebuck for his full update of this walk. March 2011. Adrian (Admin)

1/19/2011 - Catherine Rowlands

Did this walk on 15/1/11 when it was VERY muddy! Most of the stiles on the walk were ricketty and leaning towards the direction of this walk! Some were hard to get over. The view of Tutbury Castle and the Faulds Crater were superb.

5/29/2009 - Mangal Mistry

Did this walk on 23/05/09. Found very confusing, because farmer has put lots of electric fences with no warning signs. Also some paths are overgrown with nettles with hedge on one side and electric fence on other side. Very little room for walkers. Got electric shock atleast 3-4 times.

2/12/2006 - Steve Sharratt

12/02/06 - STEVE SHARRATT It is also rumoured that it was a german spy who Sabbotaged the locally named "Hanbury Dump" my father said that he was cyclimg to work some 12 miles away and the explosion caused him to fall into the ditch!

8/17/2005 - John Thorn

There were several articles about the explosion on its 50th anniversary. The last people who left reported that a hammer and chisel were being used to extract the fuses from unexploded bombs. Apparently the explosion was heard in London.