2021 Walking Festival

This is a short circular ride of just over 2 miles. following the River Derwent Northwards from Handyside Bridge through Darley Park to Evans Mill, and returning by way of Darley Fields, National Cycle Network route 54. It is mainly traffic free apart from a short section in the village of Darley Abbey.

Starting point: Handyside Bridge, nr City Road, Derby

Distance: Approx 2 miles

Difficulty: Medium

More info: http://simssycling.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-river-derwent-at-darley.html

Full route:

We start at Handysides's Bridge which once carried the LNER Railway across the River Derwent en route from Friargate Station towards Breadsall and on to Nottingham. The railway was closed by Dr. Beeching in the 1960's and the bridge was retained as a pedestrian walkway and cycle route.

We pass the Derby Rowing Club building and enter Darley Park on the excellent new path constructed by Derby City Council in 2019.

This leads us to Darley Abbey village where we cross the river at Evan's Mill where reels of cotton were once produced in large quantities.

A toll (£1) is payable by motorists, but there is free passage for cyclists and pedestrians.

We are now on Haslam's Lane and we take the first right turn into Folly Road which leads us over a small bridge and into Darley Fields. Keep an eye out for the colourful National Cycle Network Millennium milepost in Darley Field.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network/millennium-mileposts

The surrounding land is prone to flooding and much work has been done recently to mitigate this and protect vulnerable properties.

On reaching the entrance we have a short section on City Road before turning right on the path alongside Parkers Piece and we return to our starting point on Handiside's Bridge.

http://simssycling.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-river-derwent-at-darley.html