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Wensley & Brightgate from Winster

Peak District Walk

Nat Park - Peak District - Stanton Moor Winster

County/Area - Derbyshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.2 miles / 10.1 km    Ascent - 1100 feet / 333 metres

Time - 4 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL24Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL24Digital Map1:25kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Wensley & Brightgate
Click image to see photo description.

This Peak District walk explores an area of limestone uplands lying to the east of Winster. The route follows field paths to reach Clough Lane (track) which is followed through woodland to Cowley Knowl. Turning south the walk passes through the village of Wensley, passes close by Brightgate and then joins the Limestone Way to return to Winster.

The walk starts from the centre of Winster by the Market House (grid ref. SK242606). On street parking is available at a number of places in the village. Facing the post office take the lane on its right-hand side (Woodhouse Lane). At the end of the lane continue on a tarmac path down to a wooden gate and continue north down fields into a valley. Bear right at three footpath junctions and climb out of the valley across fields and briefly pass through trees to reach Clough Lane (grid ref. SK244617).

Turn right along Clough Lane and continue for 1.5 kilometres to the gateposts at Cowley Knowl (grid ref. SK259619). Bear right downhill ignoring the drive through the gateposts. Ignore tarmac Oldfield Lane on the left and continue right to a junction bearing right beside a barrier. Turn left at the fingerpost and continue through woodland. Turn right over a footbridge following the (yellow waymark (grid ref. SK258617). Continue through Cambridge Wood and then descend across a field to a road in Wensley.

Turn left and take the first path on the right (grid ref. SK262611). Descend steps into a valley. At the bottom turn left and then bear right on a rising path (not the one signed to Snitterton). The onward route crosses fields via stiles which are mostly waymarked. However the relevant OS 1:25000 map or a GPS file is useful to help with navigation. After two kilometres the path nears a lane (grid ref. SK271592). Turn right, cross a field to a gap in a hedge and a road. Go straight across to join a track (Moorlands Lane). 250 metres along the track the Limestone Way comes in from the left. Continue ahead for another 25 metres and turn right to stay on the Limestone Way, Three kilometres of excellent walking leads past Luntor Rocks to Winster.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2503 Robin Hood's Stride & Stanton Moormoderate11.0 miles
Walk 1410 Minninglow Hill, Roystone Grange and Cardlemere Lane from Gothameasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 1892 Minninglow & Roystone Rockseasy/mod5.8 miles
Walk 2218 Cocking Tor from near Matlockmoderate9.5 miles
Walk 1569 Lathkill Dale & Bradford Dale easy/mod8.2 miles
Walk 1589 Lathkill & Bradford Dales (short version) easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 1590 Monyash & Lathkill Dale easy/mod8.2 miles
Walk 1378 Carsington Circulareasy4.5 miles
Walk 1379 Carsington and Harboro Rockseasy/mod5.8 miles
Walk 2993 Carsington, Brassington & Cromford and High Peak Railway from Middletonmoderate9.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in the Peak District - White Peak East

Walking in the Peak District - White Peak EastGuidebook describing 42 half-day and day walks in the limestone landscapes of Derbyshire's White Peak, part of the Peak District National Park. One of two volumes, this book covers the east of the region, with potential bases including Bakewell, Eyam, Castleton, Birchover, Matlock and Wirksworth.
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Walking in Derbyshire

Walking in DerbyshireWalking guidebook to 60 circular day walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Includes the Derwent, Wye and Trent river valleys, near Derby, Matlock, Glossop, Bakewell and Ripley. Routes range from easy to moderate and are between 4 and 14km (2 to 10 miles). Walks focus on places of interest, from Stone Age forts to castles to grand estates.
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