MONSAL TRAIL – SOUTHERN END by John N. Merrill
– 2 1/2 MILES
– 4 miles with a visit to Haddon Hall.
– allow 1 to 3 hours.
Basic route – Bakewell Station – Monsal Trail – River Wye – Bakewell Show Ground – Monsal Trail – Bakewell Station.
Map – O.S. 1:25,000 Explorer Map No. OL24 – The White Peak – East sheet.
Car park and start – Bakewell Station. Top of Station Road. Grid Ref. SK 223690.
Inns and Cafe̥ РNumerous in central Bakewell.
Tea-room at Haddon Hall.
ABOUT THE WALK – A short walk along the southern end of the Monsal Trail. You can extend the walk to Haddon Hall adding on an extra 2 miles or you can return through Bakewell itself adding on an extra 1/2 mile. The walk itself is very attractive with views across the Wye Valley to Bakewell and its prominent church.
WALKING INSTRUCTIONS – Gain the trail from the station car park and turn right along it and walk along the trail for approximately a mile to its end. Bear right and descend from it to the base of the railway bridge (Coombs Viaduct) over Coombs Road. Cross to a track and footpath sign. Follow the track round the edge of Cook Wood for just over 1/4 mile to a gate and footpath sign on your right. Turn right and descend the field to a stile and onto a footbridge. Cross this and turn right; the path to your left leads to Haddon Hall less than a mile away. Keep on the path with the River Wye on your left. Continue with the hedge on your right and guided by stiles and gates reach the Bakewell Show Ground. Walk past the Show Offices and just after turn right and walk to Coombs Road. (If you cross the river on your left you can enter Bakewell.) Gaining the road turn right and in a few yards turn left, as footpath signed, and ascend the track. Approaching Outrake Farm Cottages turn right to a gate and follow the track to a bridge over the Monsal Trail. On the other side descend to the trail and retrace your steps back to Bakewell Station and car park. (If walking from Bakewell cross the River Wye bridge and turn half right and ascend Station Road back to the start).
BAKEWELL – Famous for its puddings. The church has monuments to the Rutland family of Haddon Hall.
HADDON HALL – The finest manorial home in England. The home of the Dukes of Rutland and famous for the Dorothy Vernon love story.