Parwich circular

Start: Tissington Camping & Caravan Site, The Stable, Town Head Fm, Tissington, Ashbourne (DE6 1RA)

(S/E) From The Tissington Campsite entrance, turn right into Flatts Lane. Follow the lane to the old railway bridge. Cross the Tissington Trail and the cattle grid at the entrance to Shaws Farm.

(1) Follow the track round to the left, then turn off onto a downhill footpath to the right (signposted “Parwich 1½ miles”). Walk down the field to a wall stile to the right of a gateway and continue close to the edge of the field to a squeeze stile. Descend to a footbridge. Climb the valley side beyond, to a stile and plank bridge. Follow the left-hand side of the next field, then cross the next to a squeeze stile in the far left-hand corner.

(2) Descend to another stile, then turn right along the wall to a stile into a small wood. Follow the narrow path to Parwich village green. Cross the stream.

(3) For the Sycamore Inn (A), turn right. To continue the walk, turn left and follow the streamside path between stone buildings. When you meet the village street, turn left to pass Parwich Cave in a limestone outcrop on the left. Pass the Methodist Church, and a junction with a narrow lane leading up to the school, both on the right. At the end of the village and walk past a farm entrance on the left, then turn left through a hand gate next to a farm gate.

(4) Cross the stream. Turn right then bear left uphill to a gate in the hedge on your right. Cross half-left to a further gate in the far corner. Follow a short hedged path into another field, where you follow the right-hand hedge, before deviating slightly left to a squeeze stile and gate. Aim left of two large ash trees ahead, to a gate in a ruinous wall, then aim left of an isolated stone barn. Beyond the barn, keep along the contour to a step stile in a hedge, then cross a narrow field to a further double stile.

(5) Skirt to the left of the grounds of the large house ahead of you (Parwich Lees). Beyond the house, descend to a concealed stile into a track.

(6) Turn left and follow the track to the valley bottom, beyond which it bends right to a gate then left, up a side valley. Pass an old limekiln and quarry on your left. At the top of the valley by a sheepfold, go through a gate and turn immediately right, up the side of the field. When you encounter a squeeze stile in the wall on your right, turn left and cross the field, keeping right of a wall on the far side to a step stile. Walk along the bottom of the next field, to a bridge under the Tissington Trail. Follow the farm track beyond, ignoring a turning to the right.

(7) Before the farm, turn left onto a footpath. This skirts the farm, passing below a barn on the right and a pond on the left, to a squeeze stile below power lines. Cross a farm track with stiles on either side and climb the slope to a hand gate. Cross the field beyond, and another farm track. Continue in similar fashion across two more fields, climbing to the circular earthwork of a former lead pit. In the next field, bear slightly left and descend to another hand gate. After two more fields you reach the road.

(8) Head straight on into Tissington village. Pass Town Head Farm on your right, then turn left at the Hands
Well. Walk up Sawpit Hill back to the The Tissington Campsite. (S/E)

Start: Tissington Camping & Caravan Site, The Stable, Town Head Fm, Tissington, Ashbourne (DE6 1RA)

Tel 07967 814844 Email edwardcarr@w3z.co.uk
Camping and Caravan Club Big Sites Book Reference 119/032

Notes: Muddy spots and wet grass in places after rain; several moderate climbs, and numerous stiles.

Find more information on Walks From the Door.

(A) Refreshments available at the Sycamore Inn, Parwich (1½ miles).