Hay House Farm Walks

Some Walks From The Door

A plethora of Public Footpaths criss-cross the fields and land surrounding Hay House Farm, making walking from our front door a joy. Leave your car behind, stride out into amazing, unspoilt countryside and invigorate your senses in the clean, unpolluted air. Whether you are an avid walker, or prefer just the occasional stroll, you will be spoilt for choice in the lush landscape around us.

Packed Lunches for Hungry Walkers are available from Hay House Farm. Please order the evening before, if possible.

Hay House Circular – A Walk Around the Village – approximately 4 miles – starting from Hay House Farm, turning left or right at the bottom of the drive and taking a circular walk around Ipstones, with an optional refreshment in The Old Red Lion in the village centre (allow 3 hours, including a pint)

Moors' Edge – A Walk Around Ipstones – approximately 4.5 miles (7km) – climbing to a height of 1250 feet at Ipstones Edge, on a clear day, taking in views of the Wrekin in Shropshire (45 miles distance) and the Welsh hills (57 miles distance) (allow 3 hours)

Hay House Favourite – A Walk to the Black Lion Pub – approximately 2.5 miles – the walk takes you through RSPB Crowgutter Wood to the Caldon Canal in the Churnet Valley and Black Lion Public House at Consall Forge, returning via the Devil's Staircase (199 steps) towards Belmont Hall and back to Hay House Farm (allow 2+ hours, including a pint)

A Few Minutes' Drive From The Door

Caldon Connections – A Walk Around Froghall – approximately 4 miles – the walk takes you north of Froghall and Foxt into some beautiful wooded areas (allow 2.5 hours)

Churnet Country – From Kingsley to Froghall – approximately 4 miles – crossing the Churnet Valley at Cherryeye and Consall with magnificent views over the valley (allow 2.5 hours)

Styles in Stone – A Walk East from Cheddleton – approximately 5 miles – the walk takes you east of Cheddleton, through the beautiful Coombes Valley Nature Reserve to the outskirts of Ipstones (allow 3 hours)

Woods and Ways – A Walk Around Oakamoor – approximately 3 miles – the walk takes you around the quiet village of Oakamoor in the wooded valley of the River Churnet (allow 2 hours)

A Little Bit Further From The Door (But Not Much)

Delightful Dovedale – A Walk Around Dovedale and the Stepping Stones – approximately 5 miles – the walk takes in a dramatic limestone ravine, famous for stunning scenery, wildlife and the much loved stepping stones, which cross the River Dove (allow 3 hours)

The Manifold Track – A Walk Through the Manifold Valley – about 8 miles (but you can do as much, or as little as you please) – a favourite for walkers and cyclists, follows the old route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway. Good level surface and fairly level throughout its length, making it ideal for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility (allow 5 hours)

Rudyard Lake – A Walk Around the Lake – approximately 5 miles – the walk takes in the wildlife and lakeside habitats, where grebes, coots and herons can be seen (allow 3 hours)

Leek to Peak – A Walk Around Tittesworth Reservoir – approximately 7 miles – the walk rises above the west banks of the reservoir, where curlew, lapwing, skylark and meadow pipit are common, towards the gritstone outcrops of the Roaches (allow 4 hours)

Alstonefield Circular – A Walk From "The George" to "The George" – approximately 7 miles – the walk starts at the Pub in Alstonefield, down to Milldale and follows the River Dove towards Hartington, via Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale, climbing uphill and returning to Alstonefield (allow 4 hours)

Furnace Forest – A Walk From The Ramblers' Retreat in Dimmingsdale – approximately 4 miles – the forest walk has moderately steep climbs to obtain splendid views over the canopy to Alton and the Churnet Valley (allow 3 hours)