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Brassington - Carsington Pasture - Carsington - High Peak Trail - Brassington
DISTANCE: Approximately 5 ½ miles
Brassington (Branzincton in the Domesday Book) is a much under-rated village. Situated off the beaten track, it is very rarely acknowledged or acclaimed. Three hundred years ago however was a totally different story. As early as 1663 Brassington had a King’s Highway passing through it and inhabitants of the village had strict instructions to maintain and upkeep this important road: “Everie one everie yeare scowre their ditches adjoyneinge to the King’s highway before the first daie of May or else to forfeite 12d”.
When the first Turnpike Act for Derbyshire was printed in 1738 it set out details for “repairing the roads from the town of Loughborough in the County of Leicestershire to the town of Derby, and from the said town of Derby to the town of Brassington…” and there the road ended. Why you may ask did Brassington rate so important as to warrant a main highway right to its door? Simply because from here to Buxton the ground is so hard and high above sea level it was considered to be easy travelling.
However, by 1827 the section of road between Hulland Ward and Brassington was de-turnpiked as it was considered not to lead to a city, town or place of importance and Brassington then lost its high ranking.
During the leadmining era though, Brassington was so lead productive that by 1683 it warranted its own deputy Barmaster.
Another notable highway close to Brassington’s boundary is the Roman road from Little Chester to Buxton which was known as ‘The Street’.
This walk is relatively easy going with interesting views and features along the way. There is however a short sharp climb out of Carsington before the High Peak Trail.
Start your walk by the high wall in front of St James Church which has many early features with the south chancel aisle being thought to date back to 1200. High up on the west wall is said to be a small crudely carved figure of a man with hand on heart, thought to be of Saxon origin but built into the Norman tower. He is said to be Brassington’s oldest inhabitant but one of the most rarely seen.
Church records tell of the sad story of a stranger buried here in the 17th century. A Yorkshire rector named Michael Adams of Treton was travelling in the vicinity and the following was written of him: “Pause traveller for a while and drop at least a passing tear for the lamentable death of a certain traveller whom perchance travelling hence, when a fierce winter was raging without, the more raging heat of an inextinguishable fever seized him within, and carried him without a doubt to the mansions of the Lord in a chariot of fire like unto Elijah”.
From the church, drop down past the Miners Arms and head towards the main road. Cross the road and follow the route indicated by the footpath sign but glance first to one of the village’s oldest buildings which stands just down the road. The Tudor House is dated 1615 and stands majestically on an elevated position. It has mullioned and some transomed windows. Although this is probably the earliest house, there are many other early dwellings built in this vernacular style which are scattered around the village.
The footpath is well worn and easy to follow. You will cross a couple of fields then head uphill before bearing right and passing through the bumpy remains of Nicalum Mine. Here the lead was mined out by 1895 but the mine was kept open until 1919 for the production of barytes.
Head down to a grassy track which you cross over. This natural amphitheatre which surrounds you has strange rock formations, many more can be found locally. The eroded dolomite limestone has jagged shapes and forms almost eerie silhouettes against the skyline.
Head up the hill from where you will suddenly see the most attractive and tranquil view that years ago would not have been possible. Over twenty five years ago there were rolling fields with hedgerows and trees, now there is a vast expanse of sky-blue water dotted with sails.
Carsington Reservoir was finally approved in 1978 following much controversy and debate. Its aim is not only to provide water sports facilities, a tourist attraction and a scenic feature on the landscape, but also an extra 52 million gallons of water each day for nearly three million people in South Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. The water flows into the Derwent river through an aqueduct some 5 ½ miles long. The dam wall which is out of sight at the far end is 1,250 yards long and reaches a height of 115 feet. Over 700 acres of pastureland were flooded to provide this man-made marvel of science and technology.
Over to your right and well away from the path is Carsington Pasture Cave. This was evidently the home of a lead miner around 1731 as described by Daniel Defoe author of Robinson Crusoe when he passed by on his travels around England which were later published in book form. Of the man he wrote “this subterranean creature ………. was a most uncouth spectacle, clothed all in leather …… for a person he was lean as a skeleton, pale as a dead corpse, his hair and beard a deep black, his flesh lank and we thought something of the colour of lead itself.”
As the path drops down towards Carsington you will go past Carsington Perseverance or White Rake Mine, its course is easily definable by the line of bumps and dips. You will come to a stile by the side of a gate which takes you onto a track. Here on your right is the capped shaft of Dowsithills Mine. Follow the track into Carsington.
On meeting a junction where the road bends from the right follow a footpath sign on your left which takes you up a ginnel. Go up the steps to the last cottage, almost to their door, but turn right past an outhouse and go through a little gate into the field behind. Bear right and then follow the very steep path up the side of the wood behind the church.
When you reach a wall at the top of the hill do not go through the stile but follow the line of the wall to the left. Over the wall at one point you will see a throne like rock, shaped out of limestone, which is known as the Kings Chair. In the vicinity are the Children’s Fortune Mine and Innocent Mine. Follow the wall for about ½-mile until it eventually comes to the road and note in the field on your right the remains of a windmill.
Cross straight over the road and go through the end of a field and over a stile onto the High Peak Trail. Turn left and follow the Trail as it passes through a cutting and continues on to the brick works. Up to your right are the buildings of the Golconda Mine, one of the last lead mines to have closed. Its production ceased in 1953 by which time a depth of 420 feet had been reached. Several natural caverns were discovered and early in the last century the signature I Rawlinson 1777 which was formed by smoke staining, was discovered showing how long the mine had been in operation. Also on the right of the Trail is the Nursery Mine (the local names seem to be connected with children for some reason). This mine produced calamine (zinc carbonate) as well as lead.
Up to the right of the brick works are Harborough Rocks which form a conspicuous landmark visible for miles around. Up in the rocks is a cave which was occupied in the Iron Age and also during Roman times as shown by archaeological studies carried out. It is also recorded by Daniel Defoe that he found this cave to be the home of a miner, his wife and five children. The cave itself was divided by curtains to form rooms and was decked out with shelves and possessions as was any normal cottage or dwelling at that time.
At the brick works leave the Trail by taking the path on your left which passes down the drive to the road. The rough area in front of you is the Bees Nest Sand Pit and Green Clay Pit which provided silica sand for firing in the works.
Turn right and walk along the road for approximately ¼-mile until the first field after the rough area. Go over a stile and cross the pock-marked field. You should drop down to a stile on the far left which leads onto a lane. Turn right and descend back gently to Brassington, passing the old disused limestone quarry. At the road junction turn left. When entering the village take any of the lanes or alleyways on your right which will eventually direct you back to the church.
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