Above: The riverbank footpath between the water mill and Ashford-in-the-Water.
This five-and-a-half mile walk from White Lodge carpark on the A6 follows the River Wye for over half the route, heading first into Deep Dale Nature Reserve before entering the trees of Great Shacklow Wood to reach the picturesque village of Ashford-in-the-Water over its ancient Sheepwash Bridge.
There are two popular pubs in Ashford, as well as a tearoom beside the medieval church – all with gardens. From here the route crosses attractive field paths to reach the Monsal Trail, and then drops down from just beyond Headstone Viaduct to return along the riverbank through Monsal Dale (parts of which can get muddy in winter and after rain).
Above: Click the map to open in a new window.
Above: The route passes a partially-restored water mill as it nears Ashford.
There were many water mills along the River Wye, but the one near Ashford is more recent and in far better condition than most. Built around 1870, it was partially restored by the Arkwright Society in 1979 (details to follow).
It seems to have served two purposes during its brief history – firstly to grind down animal bones to make fertiliser, and later as a timber mill. Some reports say it was used to make wooden bobbins for local cotton mills – including Litton and Cressbrook. But there doesn’t seem to be any firm evidence for this.
Click below for full step-by-step instructions and photos.
A ‘Relive’ version of the walk. Click to play and use the expand option to view in full-screen. Click here for more Monsal Trail ‘Relives’.