Draycott - Ockbrook - Dale Abbey - Risley - Breaston

David Lally

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From the car park at Orchid Wood in the flat Derwent / Trent Flood-plain, we pass though the industrial village of Draycott with its spectacular Victoria Mill. Passing under the A52 Brian Clough Way, we enter the village of Ockbrook with two pubs to choose from should you wish.

Then it's into hillier country to the outskirts of Dale Abbey. Here at the midpoint of the walk there are options to visit the site of the Augustinian abbey founded in 1162; unfortunately the only significant remains is a single arch which contained the chancel window. Close by is the church of All Saints, possibly the smallest in the country, at around 25ft square. Across the village is the Carpenters Arms if refreshment is needed. A hermitage made in the 12th Century by a baker from Derby is just a few yards off the route.

Heading back, the walk follows a stretch of the Midshires Way including the beautiful valley known as Risley Park, formed by a stream called Golden Brook, then proceeding through Risley and Breaston. The latter is a former winner of both the Urban Village and Best Kept Derbyshire Village awards.

The walk returns to the starting point via Breaston's 'Coffin Walk', along which the village's funeral processions would pass to reach the nearest church before it had one of its own.

England - Central England - Derbyshire - Countryside