Chatsworth Circular Walk - Snap the Peaks

An 8 Mile Peak District walk starting from Calton Lees on the Chatsworth Estate.

Start: SK 25875 68566
Map: Landranger 119, Explorer OL24
Difficulty: 8
Refreshments : Calton Lees, Beeley, Chatsworth and Edensor

Route Map

This Peak District walk around the Chatsworth estate takes you through the pretty village of Beeley. Particularly attractive is Beeley Brook as it tumbles over small waterfalls opposite the neatly kept cottage gardens on Brookside (just off our route).

Next we head over Beeley Moor, famous for it’s grouse shooting and goblins! In Stand Wood the walk passes the lakes that feed both the Cascade and the Emperor fountain and later the aqueduct that feeds water to them.

Returning via Chatsworth House and the delightful estate village of Edensor, later crossing parkland designed by Capability Brown with views back to the house and Hunting Tower. The walk then continues over Calton Pastures, a wide expanse of sheep grazing land with views over to Beeley Moor.

Chatsworth Circular Photo Gallery

Chatsworth Park and the River Derwent near Calton Lees.

River Derwent, Chatsworth Park

Arched Bridge over the River Derwent at Calton Lees.

Bridge over the RIver Derwent, Carlton Lees

St Anne's Church Beeley was restored in the 19th century but retains a Norman doorway and 14th century tower.

St Anne's Beeley

Beeley has a number of opportunities for refreshment including the nearby Devonshire Arms and the Old Smithy.

Daffodils in Beeley

Pasture near Beeley

A Stone Stile between Beeley and Beeley Moor

Beeley Moor

Stand Wood, Beeley Edge

View from Stand Wood towards Beeley Moor

Swiss Lake and Cottage

Emperor Lake, Chatswort

Chatsworth Park from the Hunting Tower

The Hunting Tower, Chatsworth

Water tummbles over the aqueduct on its way to the Cascade. There are 24 sets of stone steps on the Cascade, each one different so as to vary the sound of the water as it falls.

The Aqueduct, Chatsworth

Water tummbles over the aqueduct on its way to the Cascade.

The Aqueduct, Chatsworth

The 18th century stables at Chatsworth houses Jean-Pierre's Bar and The Carriage House restaurant

The Stables, Chatsworth

The Hunting Tower from Chatsworth Park

The home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth House is set in a magnificent landscape and was seen in the recently released film of Pride and Prejudice

Chatsworth House and the River Dewent

Edensor

St Peter's church was visited by the late John F Kennedy in 1963 paying respects to his sister Kathleen Kennedy who's grave is in the churchyard.

St Peter's Church Edensor

Chatsworth Park

Calton Pasture looking towards Beeley Moor

Calton Pature

A Cottage in Calton Houses

Calton Houses

Cottage in Calton Lees

Chatsworth Circular Walk Directions

The walk starts from the car park (fee) at Calton Lees. Walk towards the garden centre taking the path between the trees down to the bridge across the Derwent. Cross over the bridge and immediately turn right over a stile and across parkland towards Beeley Church.

Cross over the B6012 and continue into Beeley at the T junction just past the church turn left and then shortly right over a stile, passing through fields to Beeley Hilltop Farm. Go around the farm to the right and onto a quiet lane, here turn right and immediately left over a stile onto access land. Follow the way marked path to the left of a rocky escarpment across Beeley Moor and on reaching a track turn left towards Stand Wood.

Go through the gate and into Stand Wood, bear right ahead and at the crossing of tracks go straight on sign posted Robin Hood. Follow this wide track first past Swiss Lake and then Emperor Lake. Ignore a left turn shortly after the lake, turning left in sight of the Hunting Tower along a grassy path. From the Hunting Tower descend down steps back to the main track, turn left ignoring more steps on the right. Continue on this wide track eventually passing beneath the aqueduct that feeds the Cascade. Shortly after turn sharp right down another track almost doubling back on yourself until reaching Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground.

Here turn left passing the picturesque 18th century stable block and house until reaching the bridge across the Derwent. Cross the bridge keeping on the right side of the road and follow a path that leads across parkland to Edensor. Cross the road and into the village, pass the church on the right and shortly after follow the way marked path up steps sign posted Rowsley. The path across the parkland is not obvious but is way marked by the odd post until reaching a gate at the foot of New Piece Wood.

Go through the gate and up the hill and through another gate onto Calton Pastures. Carry on down into the valley ignoring a path to the right until reaching Calton Houses. Pass through the little hamlet and follow the track down to join a road. Keep ahead along the road passing the garden centre until reaching the car park back at Calton Lees.