Derbyshire — walking along the old railway

Derbyshire has many miles of old railway tracks, which are now wonderful places to walk and to cycle on. During the last week we walked along the Monsel trail. It takes you on a magical trip through Monseldale — a wooded valley with steep rocky sides climbing high into the sky, and with a sparkling river flowing below. Only a few stone-built houses can be seen, plus the magnificent Caldwell Mill, which has been converted to tasteful accommodation. (I wonder what those 19c mill workers would have thought of it?) The mill is built on a site that once produced oil from peppermint, plus other herb products. The wild flowers this year are the best we have ever seen — a delight to the senses. Bridges and tunnels are breathtaking features of this walk as the engineering skills involved and the graceful lines truly excite the imagination.