Well done – you made it!!
Adjacent to the church is the final pub of
the walk, the Sitwell Arms and if it’s open
what better way to celebrate your
magnificent achievement, you’ve earned
it.
NOTE: to view inside Holy Cross, Morton
or St. Leonard’s, Shirland please ring the
Rector on 01773 836003.
A WALK
around the three parishes of
MORTON
SHIRLAND
and
STONEBROOM
Further information on service times and
events is available on our website:
www.msschurches.co.uk
Disclaimer
Please note that the author has absolutely no
control what-so-ever over the British weather or the
pub opening times.
Sponsored by the Diocese of Derby
What a nice walk! It is a circular route of
contrasting scenery covering approximately
5 miles and includes three churches and six
pubs. Walking at a steady pace it should
take about two and a half hours to
complete; depending of course on how
many of the hostelries you actually decide
to pass!
The route is a combination of road walking
and a delightful cross-country section on a
well defined and usually firm pathway.
The recommended start-point would be one
of the village churches, all of which differ in
character and architecture and are well
worth a visit. As the route is circular the
walk can commence from any of the
churches as a matter of personal
preference, but for the purposes of this
introduction we will commence at the
church of Holy Cross, Morton.
Also of note is the medieval market cross, a
reminder that in days gone by this was the
site of one of the largest markets in the
county.
As we leave the village we now have on our
right excellent views of the countryside with
Crich Stand clearly visible (on a clear day)
on the distant hilltop.
Upon leaving the church turn immediately
right and follow this road as it bends to the
right (Higham Lane). Continue along this
winding country lane, crossing over a
bridge that spans a disused railway line.
The route continues straight ahead
following the signs for Higham and then
climbs up Well Lane to meet the A61
Chesterfield Road and at this point we turn
left onto the A61. (It is worthy of note
however that immediately on the right is
the Greyhound public house which is open
all day for food and liquid refreshment).
After about 50 metres the A61 bends
sharply to the left and at this point we
carry straight on in to Old Higham, a
collection of ancient stone cottages and,
lo-and-behold, the Crown
Inn and Higham Farm
Hotel, both of which are
worth a visit; for purely
educational reasons, of
course!
The Stand is a memorial to the 13,000
members of the Sherwood Foresters killed
in the world wars. After a few hundred
metres we reach a small cross-road with
yet another pub on the corner (Shoulder of
Mutton – open all day) and at this point we
turn left onto Hallfield Gate Lane. Proceed
along this road and the church of St.
Leonard, Shirland will soon become
visible.
After leaving the church, walk in front of the
Red Lion Inn and
turn immediately
right into Church
Street. Within a
hundred metres or
so this becomes
an
unmetalled
track and we are
now commencing
the cross-country
section of the walk with excellent views of
open country. Continue along this track for
about a mile until you meet a more
substantial
roadway
(Pasture
Lane,
although unmarked at this point) leading off
to the left; this will pass between Pasture
House and Pasture Farm and will shortly
exit onto the main high street leading
through Stonebroom. Turn right onto the
high street and proceed for about 500
metres, down a slight incline and passing
the Methodist Church and The Star public
house on the left. The church of St. Peter,
Stonebroom will now be visible.
The
church is open from 10am to 4pm every
day.
On leaving the church turn left, and at the
end of the perimeter wall turn left again
onto the public footpath to Morton; follow
this path, crossing a small stream, until it
exits as Pit Lane onto the main road in
Morton, directly opposite the Old Pit Yard.
Turn left onto the main road and continue
up the hill until Holy Cross church once
again comes into view.