Skeletons from the Past

About trip

In times past Carsington and Brassington lived and breathed lead. Prior to the construction of Carsington Reservoir, archaeologists discovered a Romano-British settlement here, which could have been the long-lost Ludutarum, the centre of the lead-mining industry in Roman times. As you walk out of Carsington into the world of the miner, you’re using the very tracks he would have used. But the lesions and pockmarks of the endless excavations are being slowly healed by time, and many wild flowers are beginning to proliferate in the meadows and on hillside Brassington: Weird-shaped limestone crags top the hill, then Brassington appears in the next valley with its Norman church tower rising above the grey rooftops of its 17th- and 18th-century houses. Brassington’s former post office used to be the tollhouse for the Loughborough turnpike. St James Church is largely Norman, though it was heavily restored in the late 19th century, including the north aisle, which was added in 1880. The impressive south arcade has fine Perpendicular windows. High on the inner walls of the Norman tower is a figure of a man with his hand on his heart. The carving is believed to be Saxon: the man, Brassington’s oldest resident. Climbing out of Brassington the route takes you over Hipley Hill, where there are more remnants of the mines, and more limestone outcrops. On the top you could have caught the train back, but the Cromford High Peak railway closed in 1967, so you are left with a walk along its trackbed. It’s a pleasant walk though, through a wooded cutting, with meadow cranesbill and herb Robert thriving among trackside verges and crags. Harborough Rocks beckon from the left. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that sabre-toothed tigers, black bears and hyenas once sought the shelter of nearby caves. They also discovered relics and artefacts from Roman and Iron-Age dwellers. For those with extra time, there’s an entertaining path winding between the popular climbing crags to the summit, which gives wide views across the White Peak and the lowlands of the East Midlands. Carsington Reservoir is seen to perfection, surrounded by chequered fields, woods and low rounded hills. Leaving the railway behind, there’s one last hill, Carsington Pasture, to descend before returning to the lake. While you're there: Take a look round Hognaston, an ancient Norse settlement dominated by its fine church dedicated to St Bartholomew. The church dates back to 1200 and has an ornate Norman doorway with a tympanium showing a bishop and his crook, with lambs and wild beasts. In medieval times the church tower with its 5-ft (1.5m) thick walls was used as a defensive keep to protect the villagers’ livestock Where to eat and drink: You can break the route for refreshment at Ye Old Gate Inn in Brassington, which serves Marstons ales. Children must be ten years old or over. You can break the route for refreshment at Ye Old Gate Inn in Brassington, which serves Marstons ales. Children must be ten years old or over. What to look out for: Despite their apparently sterile soil, the spoil tips have been colonised by a range of leadtolerant plants, flourishing among the grassy heaps. You may see mountain pansy, spring sandwort, eyebright or autumn gentians. Directions: Take the signposted path northwards towards Carsington. It winds through scrub woods and rounds a finger of the lake before reaching the B5035 road. The path continues on the other side, meeting a lane by Wash Farm and going straight on to enter the village by the Miners Arms. 2 Turn left along the lane to reach the Hopton road. Where the road turns left go straight ahead along a narrow lane passing several cottages. Beyond a gate the lane becomes a fine green track beneath the limestone-studded slopes of Carsington Pasture. 3 Where the track swings left you reach a gate; go hrough the gate then immediately fork right off the main path on a path climbing the grassy slopes to the west. At the top aim right of a copse and go through a gap in the broken wall before descending into a little valley. 4 Go over two stiles to cross a green lane, then follow a miners’ track for 200yds (183m) towards some old mine workings. Here a footpath sign directs you around some limestone outcrops before arcing right towards Brassington. Turn left at the wall stile and follow the waymarked route across the fields into the village. 5 Turn left, then immediately right up Miners Hill. Now go right up Jasper Lane, left up Red Lion Hill, and left again along Hillside Lane. After 200yds (183m) leave the lane for a footpath on the right, which climbs past more limestone outcrops. The faint path gradually veers right, and passes the head of a green lane. 6 Here climb right over the pathless wall stile. Through the next three fields the path climbs parallel to, and to the right of, a line of wooden electricity pylons. In the fourth field bear half right above the rock outcrops and go through the top gate. Now aim for the extensive buildings of Longcliffe Dale Farm. After going over the next stile, turn left up the road, passing the farm. A footpath on the right then cuts a corner to the High Peak Trail, passing an electricity substation and Peak Quarry Farm. 7 Turn right along the trackbed of the High Peak Trail passing the Harborough Rocks. 8 Go right at the footpath signed to Carsington. This descends a small field to cross Manystones Lane. Follow the wall across Carsington Pasture, then descend by woods to a gate by a cottage. 9 Turn left down a little ginnel leading to the road and left again to retrace your earlier route back to Sheepwash car park.