Chesterfield RFM Blue Line

 

Chesterfield RFM Blue Line 
10/11/25






A dull Monday morning in November with rain in the offing didn't dampen my enthusiasm for this town centre and countryside walk. I parked close to Boythorpe Cemetery, a very large open cemetery.
Through the streets towards the train station to pick up on the Cuckoo Way where I last walked in Chesterfield.

I can't say this was a pretty part of the walk as I followed the path towards the Fire Station. Graffitti, discarded cans and unpleasant smells are not my idea of fun.

At the fire station I did not see any fire engines.

The view of the crooked spire is always interesting and to be fair the street scene was also improving.


Getting down to the start of the Cuckoo Way meant crossing the busy A61 and the river. Its just not a pleasant area. I quickly climbed back up the hill past the carparks into the town centre. 

I don't know what this building is but I liked the look of it.

There was a nice walk through the church grounds to the town centre.

I really wanted to like the town centre but I didn't, empty shops, vape shops, barbers and very few shoppers who just looked skint reminded me of every other declining town centre I have seen over the past few years.

I liked the look of the market and market hall but it was far from busy. 

It was cool walking under the middle of this building I am guessing council offices and over the footbridge into the park.




I enjoyed the park with its park railway and ducks plus the people I passed all exchanged friendly hellos.



I expected the industrial zone at Brampton to be rough and it was as expected. Not an area I will be going back to.



The next lot of  parks and the River Hipper were ideal dog walking territory and there were a lot about. Really friendly people and I chatted with a few.



At Somersall Hall the town became country and the paths turned to mud.



The path traversed fields of friendly young cows who were curious but kept their distance. 


More mud and Holymoorside over the fields. I chatted with an elderly lady dog walker here who told me that last week she had watched a cow give birth at the very spot we were standing. I tell you every walk is an adventure.



Leaving the fields behind I followed Walton Back Lane back into Chesterfield. The heavens openned so I had to get my waterproof coat on and cover my back pack

The green ginnel in these leafy suburbs was well kept and pleasant to walk through.
No idea what this was but the windows looked really old.


The path through Walton was welcome as it kept me off the tarmac but in places it was steep and muddy.

Finally I was back to the start my red car being visible in the distance on the right.

This was definitely a Parson's Egg of a walk, some parts being excellent and some very poor.
I enjoyed the plus 500 feet ascent after the recent flat walks I have done and the 8 miles was comfortable. It was a bit wet at the end and the drive home was unpleasant. The town centre was rubbish but the crooked spire is cool.

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