A Thornbridge Day Out
Make sure you pencil in a full day for this Thornbridge Extravaganza!
A round walk that incorporates visits to both the Thornbridge Estate and Thornbridge Brewery, taking in the beautiful scenery on the Monsal Trail. This 6-mile round walk starts in the historic market town of Bakewell, stopping at both Thornbridge Estate and the pretty village of Ashford-in-the-Water before arriving at Thornbridge Brewery on the edge of Bakewell. The walk offers delightful views of the Peak District, taking you through viaducts and under bridges, and past old stations on this decommissioned Sheffield to Manchester train line.
Walk or Cycle
Start and finish at Bakewell Station car park
6 miles round walk
Start early and plan to get back to your car late afternoon or early evening…(You may also want a designated driver…)
If you are cycling there are bike racks at both Thornbridge Estate and Thornbridge Brewery.
PARK HERE…
The former “Woodlands” station(s) that serviced Thornbridge and then in later years Great Longstone Station when the Monsal Trail was a railway line.
The Thornbridge Estate and Italian Gardens
Park at (or cycle to) the old Bakewell Station where you can access The Monsal Trail:
https://goo.gl/maps/kpE5iy563KGSiekz8
Head left on The Monsal Trail towards Ashford-in-the-Water.
Pass Hassop Station Café and head straight for Thornbridge Estate, 2.5 miles from your starting point (Thornbridge Estate is signposted and the entrance is just before the bridge and the former Woodlands/Great Longstone Station (see photo - if you reach the station house and platform you have gone too far!).
Just a 30-second walk up the ramp will lead you to the Thornbridge Estate. Stop by for a coffee and homemade cake at Quackers Café (there are bike racks here) and a stroll around the 12 acres of formal gardens. Go behind the scenes of the Hall on one of the House Tours (selected days, book in advance). Kids can enjoy the duck fountain and garden trail as well as our Meet the Animals area. Allow a couple of hours here to enjoy the full experience! Enjoy a House Tour, Cream Tea, and Garden Entry for £22 per person when booked in advance.
Head back to the Monsal Trail (turn left out of Thornbridge Estate, under the bridge, and past the old stations (there are two – if you go on a house tour you will find out why!).
WALKERS Walk for 200 yards and a footpath descends off to the left which is signposted to the pretty village of Ashford-in-the Water (a mile away).
The path is well defined and stiled - you pass a small wood on your left and descend to a lane, half a mile away. Cross this (Longstone Lane) and continue along the path which now swings to your right with a small plantation on your left.
A quarter of a mile later you reach the B6465 road. Cross this and follow the path opposite across the field to Vicarage Lane.
CYCLISTS at the stations, leave the Monsal Trail via the ramp and turn right onto Longstone Lane. At the Junction you reach the B6465.
Turn left and where the road forks 200 yards later, turn left and descend steeply past the houses. Turn right at the bottom and you have reached the central part of Ashford-in-the-Water. (If you have time, Ashford-in-the-Water is a very attractive village and well worth exploring).
Turn left and cross the main A6020 road and follow the closed road, with the cricket field on your left.
On the closed road, you cross the River Wye via a small bridge that brings you to Buxton Road (A6).
WALKERS At the end of the road, turn left and shortly afterward there is a gate on the left that takes you into a field where you can walk alongside the River Wye towards Bakewell which brings you out at Aldi.
CYCLISTS turn left onto Buxton Road (A6), passing Aldi on your left, just before you reach the entrance for the Riverside Business Park.
The Riverside Business Park entrance is next to Aldi and where you will find the Thornbridge Brewery and Taproom (there are bike racks here). Serving a large number of different beers from their extensive range and delicious pizzas, you can also pick up takeouts from their well-stocked shop! If you book in advance, The Thornbridge Experience takes about 45 minutes and provides you with a history of the brewery from its humble beginnings on the Thornbridge Estate to the multi-award winning, international success it is today. Guests also enjoy a tutored beer tasting of 6 x thirds of beer (so make sure you have a designated driver).
When you are ready to leave, walk or cycle back up to Ashford Road (A6) which takes you back into Bakewell – if you have time you can have a wander around this historic market town, pop in the Lampton Larder or the Joiners Arms, and maybe take home a dessert from the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop which is en-route to your car parked at Bakewell Station.
Quackers Cafe by Frances Milburn Photography
Meet the Animals from the Thornbridge Smallholding
Thornbridge Brewery Tap Room
Thornbridge Beer Flight
By Bus
A shorter route by bus from Bakewell.
Park at Bakewell Station
From Buxton Road (Stand A) take the 173 bus to Great Longstone. The 173 (run by Hulley’s of Baslow) stops near The Crispin pub in Great Longstone, which is a 5-10min walk from the Thornbridge Estate.
When you alight the bus, head up Station Road. When you get to a sharp right-hand bend in the road you can either head across the field directly ahead or continue on the road to the Monsal Trail.
Once you are on the Monsal Trail turn left (towards Hassop) and Thornbridge Estate is just 100 yards up the trail. (See above for details about your visit!)
To return to Bakewell by foot you can either
follow the route outlined above through Ashford-in-the-Water and back down to the brewery and then into Bakewell.
OR head down the Monsal Trail directly to Bakewell Station (turn right when leaving the Estate at the Monsal Trail entrance). From central Bakewell, you can make your way up to the Riverside Business Park where the brewery is along the A6 (10-15 minute walk).