MEDIEVAL STAND WOOD, CHATSWORTH, DERBYSHIRE

MARCH 2018 WALK EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK CHALLENGE – DAY 2

I went to Chatsworth today and walked around Stand Woods. It is a lovely circular walk suitable for push chairs. I’did this walk in January with my boys and the weather was just perfect then: sunny and blue sky. That was not the case of today. Although it was way better then the gloom and rain yesterday, it was still quite overcast. But it was the first walk this year which I didn’t have to wear gloves. Yay, it is definitely getting warmer. 🙂

I found this route in the Bradwell’s pocket walking guide book called The Peak District A selection of 10 walks. 

From the car park you go up towards to the playground and go through the gate, taking the tarmac lane on the right to Stand Wood. Follow the lane up and to the left when it bends and you come to the The Aquaduct with its waterfall, and the tumbling stream that begins at another waterfall on the crest of the hillside. 

Carry on up the hill and you will reach the Hunting Tower build around 1582 as a summer house for Bess of Hardwick. It is now available for rent as holiday accommodation. Enjoy the fine views over Chatsworth. 

Turn right behind the Tower and follow the main track. Pass the top of Emperor Lake on the left slightly off the track. 

Return back onto the main track and further on you will approach Swiss Lake with the Swiss Cottage on the left. 

| Circular Walk, push chair friendly 

| 3.5 miles | 5.6km 

Follow the track on and when it bends, turn right through the woods back to the car park. 

I love the gritstones covered in vibrant moss. There is a variety of mature and exotic broad-leaved and coniferous trees in the woods, which give to a mysterious atmosphere to the woods. 

I am not quite sure what this is. If you know, please let me know! ↓

Very peaceful walk. For the duration of the whole walk I only met two couples. The whole wood was just for me and the birds!