There were twelve of us for this 11-mile (or was it 12-mile) walk from Alstonefield.  The weather was perfect for walking – sunny, not too hot and with a strong cooling breeze.

We went NE from Alstonefield, down Gypsy hill (Group photo from), over Coldeaton bridge and then up to the road at Lees barn. Coldeaton Bridge spans the river Dove and is marked on available maps of the area from 1837 and is annotated "Cold Eaton Bridge" - it is likely that there was an earlier bridge here, of which the stone abutments survive.

After crossing the A515 we took field paths SE to and through the lovely quiet village of Parwich before taking more field paths SW to Tissington, with its rich history dating back to the eleventh century.  The village has no less than five wells and is now notable mainly for its well dressing. In 2021 the owner (FitzHerbert) of the village (who lives at Tissington Hall) said that 45 of the properties were rented out and that tenants farmed the 2,000 acres around the Hall. At the bottom of the main avenue in Tissington we lunched close to Herbert's Fine English Tea Rooms. Suitably refreshed we advanced to Milldale via Bostern Grange Farm and Nabbs View.  Whilst scaling the heights we were treated to a short rendition of the “Hills are alive, etc.” – Julie Andrews could not have done it better.  

The last stretch uphill from Milldale to Alstonefield was a challenge to weary legs, especially for those weighed down by their ice-creams, but we made it. 

Derek Lowe