Following in the footsteps of Alison Uttley
Derbyshire’s answer to Beatrice Potter, Alison Uttley wrote over 100 books, including a series of illustrated children’s books about the countryside animals she observed.
Her Little Grey Rabbit series, in particular, have been loved by generations of children. The woodlands and meadows this just-under-four-mile walk takes you through were unquestionably a source of inspiration for Uttley.
Starting out from Cromford Mill (plenty of on-road and off-road parking) cross the bridge and head up Willersley Lane.
Unfortunately, there’s no pavement on this narrow stretch of road, so stick to the righthand-side of the road and wear bright colours if you can.
Follow the first public footpath fingerpost you encounter on your right and continue along a farm track.
Look out for a path climbing up through a field on your left. It ascends through field and woodland back to Willersley Lane.
Walk a short section of road, again to the first public footpath you see on your right. The clearly defined path climbs steeply up through woodland and fields with lovely views over Matlock Bath.
Where two paths diverge after a squeeze stile in a dry-stone wall, veer right to cross fields towards Riber Castle, looking resplendent with its gothic towers and battlements.
Turn right onto Hearthstone Lane. At Hearthstone Farm keep straight on. Here, a green lane climbs up and over the hill with more stunning vistas of Holloway, Crich and the Derwent Valley.
The funnelled path drops steeply downhill. Where it diverges, keep right. Soon, views open out of Castle Top Farm, the childhood home of Alison Uttley.
The path drops down to the farm track, where you’ll see the Alison Uttley blue plaque at the entrance to the farm. It tells us, Alison was ‘born here and inspired by these surroundings.’
The lane drops towards Lea Road. To avoid this busy section with no pavement, follow the public footpath sign on the right just before the lane hits the road, and cross the hillside through fields and woodlands above the valley, taking the path on your left that drops down beside Cromford Station.
READ MORE: Alison Uttley, the author of the Little Grey Rabbit and Sam Pig books
