About the Book
The Derbyshire Portway is an ancient prehistoric trackway which can be traced from Mam Tor in the north of Derbyshire to the Hemlock Stone on the edge of Nottingham. Along the route are a fascinating variety of prehistoric and historic sites, including hermitages, hillforts, tumuli, carved crosses, churches and standing stones.
Believed to date from the Bronze Age and in regular use until the late middle ages, the Portway has been followed by travelers for thousands of years as a link between the Trent valley, the Peak District and beyond.
Stephen Bailey spent several years studying the trackway, both walking the ground and doing documentary research. His book describes the route northwards from the Nottinghamshire border to Mam Tor near Castleton and includes a full discussion of the historical context of the Portway.
The journey of about forty five miles can be walked as a whole or in stages, and includes Dale, Morley, Coxbench, Holbrook, Milford, Wirksworth, Alport, Ashford and Wardlow. Much of the route is now quiet lanes or footpaths, which take the walker through some of Derbyshire’s most delightful scenery, from the lush Derwent valley to the moors of the Dark Peak.
Full walking instructions are provided, as well as a detailed commentary on the historical sites. The book is illustrated with maps of each stage and a wide selection of photographs.
The Derbyshire Portway
Pilgrimage to the Past – a walking guide
Stephen Bailey
Price £6.95
ISBN 1 900446 13 8 (THIRTEEN DIGIT 978 1 900446 13 6)
Published by Scarthin Books, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3QF 01629-823272
Use this Website to:
- read extracts from the book
- study maps of the route
- add your comments on the Portway
- order the book post free
One Response so far
Geoff Blenkinsop on 06 Jun 2009 at 3:38 pm #
Walked the Portway from Wirksworth (my home) to Mam Tor in 1.5 days earlier this week, camping at Birchover and Hope. Accompanied by my 10 month old cocker spaniel Penda, a great companion; his first long-distance walk. I followed the route in the book including the road parts, which was a bit of a flog. It felt good to be walking in the footsteps of our ancestors. I agree about the dire Wardlow Mires, by the way, a low point in my journey in may ways!
Next day we walked from Hope to Monyash on the Limestone Way, a more scenically beautiful path but obviously a modern creation.
A couple of years ago we came across a group of people in a field between Wirksworth and Alport Heights, digging pits to trace the Portway. I suggested dowsing and got a very curt rebuff! It does work, however.
Thanks for the inspiration to do this, enjoyed the book.
Geoff B