The best walks and hikes around Church Broughton

There are over 200 hiking routes to discover around Church Broughton, ranging from short, easy strolls to more challenging day hikes. The area offers a great variety, with the majority of trails being easy or moderate.

Yes, the region is well-suited for family outings with over 100 easy-rated trails. The terrain is generally gentle, featuring quiet country lanes and open fields. For a particularly safe and gentle option, the nearby Mickleover Greenway offers a traffic-free path on a former railway line.

The open countryside around Church Broughton is great for walking with dogs. Many local parks, like the highly-regarded Calke Abbey estate, are popular spots for dog walkers. Please remember that this is a rural area with active farms, so be prepared to keep your dog on a lead, especially near livestock.

Yes, most of the popular trails in the area are loops, allowing you to start and end in the same place without retracing your steps. For a longer circular route that takes in varied scenery, consider the Tutbury Heritage Walk – Tutbury Weir loop, which explores the countryside and follows a section of the River Dove.

Parking is generally found in the villages and at specific trailheads or attractions. For walks starting in Tutbury or Hatton, there are village car parks available. Some local pubs, like the Holly Bush Inn in Church Broughton, may offer parking for patrons, but it's always best to check their policy beforehand.

While the area is quite rural, some villages are accessible by bus. For example, there are bus routes connecting Church Broughton to larger towns like Ashbourne. From there, you can access the local network of footpaths. It's recommended to check the latest bus timetables for routes and schedules before you travel.

Many trails conveniently pass through or start from villages with traditional pubs, making it easy to plan a pub walk. The villages of Church Broughton, Tutbury, and Hatton all have pubs that can serve as a starting or ending point for a hike through the surrounding fields and lanes.

The landscape is classic Derbyshire countryside, characterized by rolling green fields, quiet country lanes, and public footpaths crossing farmland. You'll also find riverside walks along the River Dove and small woodlands. For more dramatic landscapes, the Peak District National Park is a short drive away.

While the immediate area is known for its shorter loops, sections of regional named trails like the Tutbury Heritage Walk are incorporated into many routes. For a longer day out, you can combine several shorter loops or try the Tutbury Castle Ruins – St Mary's Church, Tutbury loop from Hatton CP, which offers a moderate 8 km walk.

The area is rich in history. Several trails offer views of the dramatic ruins of Tutbury Castle. You can also see historic churches like St Michael's in Church Broughton and St Mary's in Tutbury. A bit further afield, you can plan a walk around the grounds of Sudbury Hall or Calke Abbey.

The hiking routes in this area are highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the peaceful, rural atmosphere, the quiet country lanes, and the beautiful views across the open Derbyshire landscape.