Explore Alton on a walk that starts at The Triangle and combines historic traces with scenery. Along the route are Lygon House, a converted former farm, as well as the roof structures of a former Royal Observer Corps bunker. The walk also provides access to The Fabrick, an area open to the public, and leads to Ashover Rock. From there, views extend across Ashover. The route therefore spans themes from former agriculture and Cold War infrastructure to open heathland.

The walk from The Triangle

The Triangle in Alton is the named starting point. When planning the walk, confirm the starting point locally in case anything has changed. Along the way, you will encounter different traces of structures: Lygon House is a converted former farm, and the route passes the roof structures of a former Royal Observer Corps bunker. The bunker is a testament to the Cold War, while Lygon House recalls the area’s former agricultural use.

The Fabrick is also one of the waypoints: the walking route provides access to this area, which is open to the public. Another point along the route is an underground reservoir. It is part of a connection linking reservoirs in the Chesterfield area with The Derwent Dams and Carsington Reservoir near Ashbourne. As well as historic structures, the walk therefore takes in infrastructure that forms part of a wider connection between reservoirs.

Heathland and views at Ashover Rock

The route leads to Ashover Rock, a heathland area 299 metres above sea level. The area is formally designated as open access land, and there is a right of access. Ashover Rock offers views across Ashover. These details give this section a different character from the structural features along the route: the focus here is on open heathland and views of Ashover. For those looking at the walk from a landscape perspective, this destination offers a clearly identified point of reference.

Quarries and Alton’s history

The history of quarrying offers another perspective on Alton. The Alton Quarries may have been used to produce grindstones for the steel trade in Sheffield. A quarry in Alton is also said to have supplied the stone for the construction of Wingerworth Hall, which was built from 1726 to 1729. These two references show different aspects of the history: a possible use of the stone in trade, and a reported connection to a building with a known construction period.

Jim’s Field in Alton is at the heart of a charitable aim: to conserve, protect and improve the physical and natural environment. This aim adds an environmental conservation perspective to the walking and architectural history. Together, these offer different ways to explore Alton: the walking route and its waypoints, the views and heathland at Ashover Rock, and the area’s historical connections to stone and the environment.

Discover more destinations: Hartington, Swanwick, Tideswell, Codnor, Breadsall, Clay Cross, Melbourne, North Wingfield.

For the main travel overview: Derbyshire.