Chesterfield walking festival bounces back with 30 attractions

Walks catering for all ages and abilities are scheduled to take place from June 26 to July 4. A lot of the 30-plus walks are free of charge but some have a small cost to book.

Tickets for walks have been reduced this year for safety reasons after last year’s festival had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Highlights of the 2021 festival will include: Boat and Boots, which is a walk along the Chesterfield Canal with a return journey on a canal barge; Chesterfield's Black and White Buildings, which is a circular walk around the town centre looking at its architectural history; the Great Big Bumblebee

Safari, a walk around Eastwood Park learning more about the secret lives of bees; and the South Chesterfield Way, a walk from the heart of Chesterfield to Clay Cross following the Hipper Valley.

A walk that everyone can enjoy is Family Adventure Journey, an exploration of sights, sounds and scents. Participants can make a journey stick along the way to help them remember what they have found. Children must be accompanied by grown-ups. Rmember to bring a packed lunch and don’t forget your wellies.

Take in landmarks relevant to the great engineer George Stephenson who is credited as the father of railways. The George Stephenson – Rocket Man walk will include the Stephenson memorial hall, Tapton House for lunch and Holy Trinity Church in Stonegravels where the inventor of The Rocket locomotive is buried.

Bolsover Grand Slam starts from the castle entrance, goes through a model village, on to the birthplace of explorer Peter Fidler, climbs to Sutton Scarsdale Hall and onwards to Hardwick Hall.

The Lakes and Gardens of Renishaw Hall walk will be led by the head gardener and allows time to explore the woodland trails.

For those looking for a gentle stroll, the West Green Walk links the paths and green spaces of the Brampton and Walton area of Chesterfield. There are no steep slopes.

How about an evening walk on the open moors of north-east Derbyshire? The Wild West Wander starts at Shillito Woods, passes through the small hamlet of Unthank and heads up a steep climb to moorlands.

The festival is organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service.

Ian Waller, Chesterfield Borough Council’s service director – leisure, culture and community wellbeing, said: “The walking festival is a very popular event and attracts lots of people to explore our borough and the surrounding area. Whilst it was disappointing that due to Covid-19 we had to cancel last year’s activities our team has been working very hard to ensure we can deliver this event safely in 2021.”

Booking is essential. To reserve your place, go to www.chesterfieldwalkingfestival.co.uk

READ THIS: Best parks to stretch your legs in Derbyshire.

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