We were staying with my best friend last weekend. She lives in Derbyshire, close to the border with Leicestershire and on the Saturday we spent the day walking round the Calke Abbey estate. It’s somewhere we all love exploring, and a must for every trip. For the first time we actually went inside the house to look at a few of the rooms which were open. We got talking to one of the National Trust volunteers who mentioned a number of local walks we’ve not tried before. One would result in a flying visit to Dimminsdale Nature Reserve the next morning.
Over the years that my friend has lived in the area I’ve lost count of the times we’ve driven to Calke Abbey and passed the car park for Staunton Harold Reservoir. We’ve never understood why it had such a large car park, when there is no walking route around it. All has now been made clear! The car park would give us a base for a flying visit to Dimminsdale Nature Reserve which is literally just a stones throw away along the side of the main road. The car park is free to park in but does get busy, so it’s worth arriving early like we did.
We’d spotted the entrance to the nature reserve on our drive back from Calke Abbey the previous day (clearly we’ve been blind for the last 13 years) and walked single file along the verge to access it.
Founded on the old limestone quarry, it’s possible to walk to both Calke Abbey and Staunton Harold from the nature reserve. We knew we had to face the journey home on the motorway so on this particular day we weren’t planning on spending more than an hour exploring before heading home. On future visits we will definitely walk on to both locations and enjoy the views as we go.
For our first time spending a flying visit to Dimminsdale Nature Reserve, we decided to walk around the Laundry Pool and look out for snowdrops. We’d heard reports that there was quite a covering. It was time to explore.
It was a really cold weekend and parts of the pool were frozen over.
The paths are well-defined and we passed a few walkers along the way. But we never felt that the area was busy. It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning, blowing away the cobwebs.
As we walked along we found evidence of the old limestone kilns. They’re blocked off now, but it gave my son an idea of what would have happened for 200 years up until the 19th century.
Before too long we’d discovered the Snowdrop Garden with its blanket of white waiting to be admired.
There were certainly enough to see to make our short trip worth while. We all love walking and it was so tempted to just keep on going, but I find driving for more than an hour really tiring these days, so we knew we’d have to curb our enthusiasm. We did however just have a quick walk along the two paths, one leading to Staunton Harold and one on to Calke Abbey. Just for reference for the future.
Both options look interesting and we can’t wait to explore them in the future.
We’d made a flying visit to Dimminsdale Nature Reserve and it was time to head home, but we will definitely be back to explore this hidden gem in more detail soon.
Where have you been exploring recently?
Looks like a lovely day out. I need to write my snowdrop post as saw lots last weekend.
We enjoyed it.
Ahh we haven’t done enough exploring around Derbyshire – I’m now thinking that we should have a short break there when there’s a Bank Holiday and make the most of what’s there (We’ve got National Trust, English Heritage, Historic Houses Association memberships) – it looks fab! I love stumbling upon places I had never realised existed – it’s a great feeling, you think you know somewhere and the somewhere always wins as it has something else there, if that makes sense? 🙂 #countrykids
We make such good use of our NT membership wherever we go.
We have not done our snow drop walk yet, I best hurry as they will be gone soon. Derbyshire is a place we have yet to explore
Derbyshire and thee Leicestershire border have some gems
I love visiting places like this, somewhere you’ve seen a million times and never clocked until someone tells you about it. It’s clear Monkey loved exploring the small parts of the nature reserve you were discovering. I can’t wait to read more about your adventures around Dimminsdale Nature Reserve next time you go.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids
Great isn’t it, we will definitely be back to explore again.
This does look like a great place for a walk and I can imagine how cold it was by all that ice on the grass. The snowdrops were so pretty too. Mich x #countrykids
Yes it was a bit nippy
OH wow it’s great to find a new place to explore. I love that old quarry’s get made into places like this. Making something old new again for not just humans to enjoy! Looks like a good one! #countrykids
Yes so do I, it goives them a totally new life doesn’t it
Stunning photographs. It’s lookks cold but apart from that the weather looks perfect for a walk. Those snowdrops are stunning and I really like the sound of being able to see the old kilns. It looks like a fabulous flying visit. Thanks for linking up to #ourweekendhappu. Hugs Lucy xxxx
Thank you, it was definitely worth the flying visit
Oh this looks gorgeous – what a wonderful find. Looks like a really fun place to explore. Thanks so much for linking up with #ourweekendhappy
It was lovely
That’s not an area of the country I have ever visited but it looks great! I love countryside walks, this looks right up my street (even though it’s really far away from my street)! #CountryKids
Me too
Beautiful pictures – those snowdrops are gorgeous.
Must try and check out this place if I am ever up that way. #countrykids
Fab aren’t they
Looks like a beautiful walk, definitely one to go back to. The snow drops are gorgeous, they always make me smile, a wonderful sign of spring on its way. #countrykids
It was lovely
What a beautiful place to explore. It’s lovely when you discover places like this that you hadn’t noticed before. Those limestone kilns look interesting and the snowdrops are so pretty. #countrykids
It was wonderful