THERE is a pathway over the hills from Haddon to Chatsworth, which is a very pleasant walk of three and a half miles. It is, however, somewhat difficult to follow. The most careful guide for the pedestrian is that given in Baddeley's “Thorough guide to the Peak District” - a very useful book - multum in parvo - to the tourist in Derbyshire. By special and courteous permission of the author, M.J.B. Baddeley, B.A., it is here reprinted:

“The wood-crowned hill-range separating the Wye from the Derwent between Haddon and Chatsworth, is broken by two or three lateral valleys which have the effect of making this route very difficult to find, and missing it involves a good deal of vexatious labour. It is, however, an exceedingly pleasant and remunerative walk, and much to be preferred to the round-about road-routes either by Bakewell or Rowsley.”

“From Haddon climb the hill by a cart-track which passes to the left of the old Bowling Green, beyond which pass through a gateway, leaving a farm-house on the right. Hence continue the ascent along a green lane, working round a fir plantation on the right. This brings you to another gateway, three quarters of a mile from Haddon, beyond which is a little ridge separating two opposite valleys, one of which looks towards Bakewell the other towards Rowsley. Cross this ridge, and on the other side of it enter the wood through a gate. Then climb by a green cart-track as directly as it will take you to the top of the higher ridge before you, avoiding all level or less steep paths, and turning right near the top, up a track with a drain by the side of it. This ridge is the main one between the Wye and the Derwent, and the highest point on your way. It is wooded to the summit, along which runs a stone wall. Follow this wall northwards for about two hundred yards till you come to a gate in it. The views southwards and westwards from about here are very charming. Pass through this gate, and cross the field diagonally by a faint cart-track to another gate at the far corner of it. This opens into a beech plantation, through which there is a cart-road for a few yards. Emerging from the trees you look down a lateral valley into the main Derwent valley on the right hand. In front and below you, in the lateral valley, is a farm called Calton Houses. Your path, now very indistinct, drops into the valley, at the bottom of which it passes through a little wood and over the dam of a small pool to the left of the farm, ascending again at once and joining a cart-road from the farm. Climbing this road, you cross a

broad green drive, at the end of which, a few hundred yards to your right, is a modern lodge, the “Russian Cottage”. Beyond the drive you come to a belt of wood which the cart road enters by a gate, and the path by a wooden step-stile, a few yards right of the gate. Cross the stile and descend by a plain and direct footpath, which enters Chatsworth Park by another wooden step-stile. Chatsworth House presents a very imposing appearance at the bottom of the valley straight before you; the handsome spire of Edensor Church lies a little to the left. Crossing the park for some distance, you enter the main drive, and in five minutes more reach Edensor village. The hotel is beyond the village, just outside the park. The direct public drive to the house leaves Edensor a little on the left”.

“From Chatsworth cross the river by the stone bridge opposite the house to Edensor. The hotel lies to the right of the village, just outside the park. From it or from the village, keep along the main drive southwards for a quarter of a mile, and then, just beyond a slight depression, cross the park to the belt of wood opposite. Enter the wood by a wooden step-stile, whence a plain path climbs through it, and emerges by a similar stile on to open ground. Looking ahead from this second stile, you will notice a slump of beech trees on the top of the hill beyond an intermediate valley, and slightly to the left of your

previous direction. This clump you must. make for. Your way to it is by an obvious cart-track to the bottom of the valley, just short of which you pass through a gate and over a stile on the right. Thence, leaving the farm called Calton Houses on the left, you pass along the dam of a little pool and ascend to the clump through a pasture dotted with numerous thorn trees. The beech-clump is on the highest ridge of the hill which separates the Derwent from the Wye. Beyond it you enter a field with a wall on the right hand. Cross the field diagonally, and pass through the wall at the first gate. A beautiful view over the Wye valley now discloses itself in front. From the gate continue along the ridge, with the wall on your left for about 200 yards, and then descend through the wood by a steep but evident track, which brings you out through a gate on to an old grass-road from Rowsley to Bakewell. In front of you as you pass through the gate is a narrow little ridge, with a grass-road across it, separating two opposite valleys, both of which must be avoided. Cross the ridge, and on the far side of it turn to the right, along a grass-road, between two stone gate-posts. This road passes in succession on the left hand a plantation, a farm, and the old bowling green of Haddon, and comes out close to Haddon Hall”.