Wild Walks in Belper

Boom Buddy mum, Weronika, shares her top four places to wander wild from Belper.

I think we can all agree: Derbyshire has a lot of wilderness to offer. Being on the edge of Peak District is a true blessing with dozens of trails, hikes and nature walks to do both alone and as a family. 

But then there are some of us who can’t reach the depths of Derbyshire on a daily basis; perhaps we depend on public transport or are simply are too busy to do a day trip so we have to pick what’s most local. So, as a car-less Belper mama, I decided to share four wilderness walks in Belper, all walkable distances from the town centre or accessible by bus from Derby and Ripley. All of the mentioned sights are full of wildlife, foraging opportunities and foremostly… peace, which proved very important during my maternity leave. And since I visited those places with my daughter, I can safely say that all of them are baby friendly; you might just need to opt for baby-wearing rather than the good ol’ buggy. 

So without further ado, here are four wild walks in Belper for you, your family and your four-legged companions!

1. Belper Parks

Let’s get the obvious one first. Our local woods are possibly the easiest to get to for those who live in Belper and those who arrive by bus. Located by the town centre and the Coppice car park, they make a wonderful place for a short stroll after pottering around Belper high street or a long Sunday walk in search of woodland treasure. Belper Parks are known for rich flora, much of which you can actually forage. It is a great space for kids to run freely, pick sticks, build dens and find leaves, acorns and chestnuts - especially now, when the first autumnal glow is upon us. 

I would say it is not buggy friendly but it depends on the route you take. If you do opt for a buggy, it might be a bumpy journey. 

2. Wyver Lane 

If you are looking for a beautiful yet non-demanding walk in peace, this one's for you. Located close to River Gardens (or actually; directly opposite them!), Wyver Lane is a quiet country lane known to avid bird watchers and local foragers. The straight, buggy friendly path leads you along the fields on one side and wetlands on the other. Those wetlands, in fact, are a local nature reserve that spreads over eight hectares of land. Depending on the season, you can spot lapwings, wigeons, sandpipers, tufted ducks and many more. Wyver Lane has a few viewpoints where you can stop and admire the reserve; some of them are accessible with a buggy and wheelchairs. 

This is a perfect spot for a quiet walk if your baby needs to nap, or with your older children that love spotting animals. Also, on the autumnal days you can forage for chestnuts that grow along the way.

3. The Chevin 

Our beautiful local hill is a popular place for dog-walkers and families. You can start your walk from Bridge Foot/Derwent Valley Mills or, in the opposite direction, from a woodland path by the Babington Hospital. You can even start in Milford. You can choose to explore the bottom of the Chevin by going along the Derwent, or you can go along Chevin Road if you want to spot rams and horses or buy local eggs through the honesty box. You can also go all the way to the top, between the sheep fields, until you reach the top cottages of Farnah Green and a wooden bench from which you can admire all of Belper.

This is a perfect countryside walk with beautiful views and a lot of farm animals, as well as a lot of space for your dogs to run and get muddy. It can be as short or as long as you want it to be. It is perfect for babywearing and sensible shoes, unless you plan to walk along the road. After rainy days, the paths can be very muddy so I would recommend wearing wellies or walking boots. 

4. Crich Lane Woods 

This one is less known and yet equally beautiful. I first saw it during one of the parent and baby walks organised by our doula. Tucked away on top of Crich Lane, it is easily accessible on foot, by bus or a car. I will start with saying - it is more of a hike at times and it is definitely not suitable for prams, however it can be a fantastic walk for older children or baby-wearing parents. The walk around the Crich Lane Woods will be especially beautiful in this time of year when all turns gold and orange. You can choose to walk solely in the woods or you can walk down to the cemetery. There’s an abundance of chestnuts around and there are places where you can sit on stones and enjoy the views. If you are an avid walker, put Crich Lane Woods on your list.

I am aware there’s quite a few other places I could add to that list. The longer we live in Belper, the more I feel like it keeps on giving. Simply, there is something for everyone here and I love it.