Starting in the beautiful village of Hartington you’ll head out on the farm track and follow the river towards Crowdicote and Longnor. This walk is easy to navigate as it stays on the tarmac track until you reach Pilsbury Castle, which is actually an 11th century Norman motte and Bailey fortress, not a castle as the name suggests.
What to expect
A great walk all year round due to the hard track, there’s minimal traffic use it too as it is a gated access and only for a handful of houses.
Just before you go through the second road gate, look out for a disused mine on your right hand side, its usually open if you want to explore deeper although you may need a torch. Pilsbury Castle is in a beautiful setting, you’ll feel like you’re the only one for miles around and you get amazing views over to ‘The Dragon’s Back’ on a clear day.
Getting there & parking
Parsons Field car park – SK17 0BE. Cheap parking compared to many places in the area, with option for overnight parking too. There is also limited on road parking but it does fill up quickly on busy days. You’ll find toilets opposite this car park.
The route
An easy to follow out and back route. On leaving Hartington, head past the duck pond and up towards the doctors surgery before picking up the gated access farm track. A great spot for a summer sunset picnic. Why not pick up some cheese to take with you from Hartington dairy in the village.
Tips & what to bring
A great year round, easy to follow route away from the crowds. There’s a number of independent small shops in the village, perfect for souvenirs or snacks for your walk, if you’d prefer.
Eat & drink nearby
There are 2 pubs in the village, as well as a cheese shop, a small farm shop that sells baked goods and a couple of tea rooms. Plenty of choice on this one.
Places to stay nearby
Pair this walk with somewhere we have stayed and rated nearby.
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