Chatsworth and Dobb Edge
Where there's gritstone, there's millstones! Dobb Edge was quite obviously used for quarrying as there are many piles of rock and several abandoned millstones in different stages of completion along the short, but beautifully formed, Dobb Edge at the north end of the escarpment above Chatsworth Park.
Chatsworth is a magnet for tourists and must be the most visited attraction within the Derbyshire Peak District. It should be visited to see the large collection of old master paintings in the house, the beautiful gardens or just for a stroll around the vast parklands that surround the house. There's a busy farmshop and a garden centre nearby and several major events are held in the Park each year. Much more information is available elsewhere but do look at the Chatsworth website. But there are places around the House and Park that are much quieter and it is those we will concentrate on!
The gritstone edges have largely petered out by the time we get to Dobb Edge. It has nothing of the scale or grandeur of Stanage or even it's near neighbours Baslow and Curbar Edge. It is not a hugely significant landmark within the Chatsworth Park. It does, however, sit in an almost regal position overlooking the village of Baslow at the east end of Chatsworth Park. The views across the park and towards Baslow Edge, Birchen Edge and Gardoms Edge have less of the ruggedness about them than those at the northern end of the journey. A more gentle, placid and elegant view.
The hillside rises gently from the River Derwent (at about 100m above sea level) through Chatsworth Park and starts to climb a bit faster to reach the escarpment that provides an excellent backdrop to Chatsworth House topping at some 240m above sea level. This escarpment rises from the Robin Hood pub, just beyond Baslow, and continues along the edge of Chatsworth Park where it joins Beeley Moor to link with Harland and Fallinge Edges. Beyond and rising gently is the rather drab Gibbet Moor, a large area of soggy moorland with very few features of note. On the edge of Chatsworth Park, however, is Bunker's Hill Wood which provides a large area of woodland for a diverse wildlife community.
(2009-0060) View of Dobb Edge
from Gardom's Edge
(2009-9115) Woodland along Dobb Edge
Views
The ridge above Chatsworth is dominated by trees and is not easily accessible. There are one or two points where the trees have been cleared such as the Hunting Tower and one or two paths and tracks that lead down the hillside to Chatsworth Park. They do, however, thin out considerably at the north end at Dobb Edge to allow a view across Chatsworth Park, over Baslow or towards the Robin Hood to be enjoyed.
(2009-9127) The Pinnacle from Dobb Edge looking towards Baslow
Beyond the ridge, however, there are footpaths and tracks (almost roads) that lead through the woods and around the lakes that provide the water for the fountain in the garden of Chatsworth House. The woods are full of wildlife and birds - and it is often possible to hear woodpeckers above the sounds of the teams of people tending the Chatsworth Estate. Seeing the woodpeckers takes much more patience!
(2009-9157) Abandoned millstone overlooking Chatsworth Park
Access and Walking
There are several well marked walks and footpaths that will take in Dobb Edge. A good favourite is to start from Carlton Lees car park and walk back down the Baslow - Beeley road, over the river and left up the minor road towards Beeley Top Farm. Walk up the road until you get to a wall style on the left and head along the footpath towards the Rabbit Warren. Cross the style into the woods and follow the path round to the right and top. The tracks run in various directions across the Chatsworth Estate, but if you follow the signposts to "The Robin Hood" you will not go wrong. This leads path the lakes used to supply the fountain in the gardens, past the Hunting Tower and then out onto Dobb Edge. There are a couple of paths along the top of the edge and around the rocks that have been scatterred from earlier quarrying. The pinnacle at the north end is a good rock for scrambling up. From here the path runs along the top towards The Robin Hood (and from there to Birchens Edge) or you can follow the fairly obvious path down the hillside, past Jubilee Rock and back into Chatsworth Park. Head straight down towards the river, turn left and follow the footpath back to Chatsworth House, cross the river by Paines bridge and then walk along the side of the river to return to Carlton Lees car park.
(2009-9095) Reflections in the Swiss Lake
(2009-9103) Emperor Lake - used to feed the fountain in the gardens
Maps and Guides
Ordnance Survey Exlorer Map OL24 - The Peak District White Peak Area