Chatsworth Park Circular Walk

This Peak District walk starts in the attractive market town of Bakewell. Parking is available in the town at the Agricultural Centre, which is just a short walk from the River Wye.   Bakewell is best known for it’s famous Bakewell Pudding but has more to offer and is well worth exploring either before or after returning from your Peak District walk.

The five-arched Bakewell Bridge over the River Wye is the starting point of this walk. The reward for the ascent from Bakewell to Chatsworth Park is the view over the park to Chatsworth House and the Hunting Tower above. After crossing the park the walk arrives at the pretty estate village of Edensor, dominated by the spire of St Peter’s Church. The 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.

From Edensor the walk continues down to the three-arched bridge that crosses the River Derwent. This spot is an ideal opportunity for a photograph with the bridge in the foreground and Chatsworth House beyond. From here the walk follows the River Derwent with excellent views across the river to Chatsworth House. At Calton Lees the walk leaves Chatsworth Park and continues on through Rowsley and back along the River Wye to Bakewell.

Chatsworth Park Circular Photo Gallery

Chatsworth Park Circular Walk Directions

The walk starts from the centre of Bakewell. Parking is available at the Agricultural Centre. From here head towards the River Wye, crossing it over the new bridge.  Turn right over the bridge towards the old bridge and turn right again. Turn right again down a quiet lane, shortly down the lane a waymarked track on the left ascends between cottages.

Cross over the old Matlock to Buxton railway and over the golf course (look out for golf balls!) and ascend up through Manners Wood onto Carlton Pastures.  Head just to the right of a small plantation to a gate near a small pool.  Descend down into the valley following an obvious path, at a meeting of paths, before the brown and white lodge turn left and into New Piece Wood to parkland above Edensor.

Descend over parkland towards Edensor Church, Chatsworth House comes into view over on the right.  Keep just to the left of the church and go through a gate and down steps into Edensor village. Turn right through the village and down to the main road.

Cross the main road onto a wide track that bends round to the right and descends down to the River Derwent. Here is the classic view of Chatsworth House with the elegant 18th century bridge in the foreground. Our walk crosses the road here and continues alongside the River Derwent until reaching Carlton Lees. Go through the car park and down the lane into Carlton Lees. Turn left by a finger post marked ‘Rowsley’ continue up the lane and cross a stile on your left and descend down to the water meadows.  Follow the waymarked path until reaching Rowsley.

On reaching Rowsley turn right up a steep lane, half way along the lane is a convenient bench. Eventually the lane becomes a bridleway and continues through the woods high above the Wye valley. The bridleway descends to a hanging valley with views into Bakewell.  Here turn left above the valley for a short distance before turning right along a track signposted Bakewell. Follow this track to the unusual Bowling Green Farm, here turning right through a gate and down the bridleway to Haddon Park Farm.

On reaching the farm road turn left and follow the road around to the right. The upright sleepers here mark one of the entrances to the cut and cover tunnel of the Matlock to Buxton railway line. Continue down the road towards the River Wye. Just before reaching the river a path leads off to the right, signposted Bakewell, follow this across water meadows back to Bakewell.

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