Lets Go Bradwell

Peak District Derbyshire, DE45, United Kingdom, 0845 166 8022, info@peakdistrictonline.co.uk

BRADWELL – BROUGH – NAVIO – BRADWELL

http://www.letsgo-bradwell.co.uk

00:42 06-Sep-2010

Distance approximately 4 ½ miles

From St Barnabas Church head down the main street to the narrow bridge over Bradwell Brook and turn right onto Soft Water Lane and then follow the indicated footpath across fields and stiles below Bradwell Edge up to your right which reaches a height of 1200 feet above sea level.

After about a mile and a half you will reach Brough, emerging by the side of the main road at an old mill building. In the 19th century there were three cotton mills at Brough. However, a corn mill by the bridge was recorded in the reign of Edward III. It was run by a family named Shelley who held it on condition that should the King ever visit Derbyshire, a member of the Shelley family would attend him on horseback carrying a heron falcon.
Turn left onto Batham Gate (the way to the baths). This Roman road from Brough to Buxton passed over Bradwell Moor. A Roman milestone naming Anavio is held at Buxton Museum.
After crossing a footbridge you will see on the right an old green footpath sign dated 1909 indicating ‘Footpath 38’ of the ‘Peak District and NC Footpaths Society’. Follow the footpath across the field to the remains of Navio, or Anavio as it is also known - all Roman roads in Derbyshire are said to have led to this important site. A Roman fort was constructed here about AD 78-79. It was abandoned in AD 140 so that the troops stationed in Derbyshire could unite and fight with Lollius Urbicus in his campaign in Scotland. The Romans returned around AD 158 and the fort was rebuilt by the First Cohort of Aquitanians. Excavations carried out in 1903 revealed an outer wall six feet thick measuring some 285 feet by 340 feet. Rectangular in shape it had rounded corners and a tower in the western corner. In the centre of the fort was a sunken cellar. A slab built into this inner wall was dated AD 158.
Follow the footpath through fields and stiles with the river Noe down to your right, then when you reach a lane turn left and begin the walk uphill. After a short climb you will pass between two huge excavations with an underpass which enables large machinery to cross safely and unhindered.
Lafarge (Blue Circle) Cement is said to be the biggest industrial unit in the National Park. It dates from 1929 and excavates limestone and shale to produce cement. The huge chimney which is easily visible and a landmark in the valley is 400 feet high.
Suddenly you will pass between calm lakes stocked with fish that provide a nesting habitat for resident and migrating waterfowl, with the workers of Lafarge (Blue Circle) having access to angling clubs and a golf course.
You will return to Batham Gate at the side of the New Bath Inn, named after the remains of a Roman bath and thermal spring found nearby.
Turn right and head back into Bradwell.