Click here to view route map and start location details

A thank you to Graham for the inspiration to explore the area of our ramblers route today.

Ten ramblers including Jim from Swadincote commenced a 8.77 mile walk from the Georgian Market Town of Melbourne.

En route we visited Staunton Harold Reservoir (created in 1964), Calke Park (NT) where our mid morning break was taken, and the grounds of Staunton Harold Hall (Lunch Stop).

A few purchases were made at the Ferrers Centre for Arts & Crafts and an extended lunch break by the Lake enabled those that were interested to visit Staunton Harold Church (1653). The Chapel of the Holy Trinity (NT) was worthy of a visit to view the oak box pews and wood panelled ceilings.

We returned to our starting point via Melbourne Pool, Hall and Gardens, the former home of Queen Victoria’s first Prime Minister William Lamb.

Our route included dry, scorched agricultural land, meadows, woodland, bridlepaths, parkland and a small section of the Calke Tramway Trail (to minimise road walking).

We spotted Swans, Belted Gallaways, Highland Cattle, a Hare, a Clouded Yellow butterfly, and a common blue/Holly Blue butterfly, and heard Buzzards overhead. Not to disappoint, nature was on call to offer a blackberry tasting, and there was some corn ready to be harvested.

The photos reflect some of the quirky discoveries along our way. Unfortunately we didn’t get a snap of the giraffe and zebra. However we did find time to discover more of Melbourne’s history and sample some light refreshments to conclude our visit to South Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Gill Lees (Walk Leader).