Loscoe Women's Institute

West Leys Group Walk

Updated 24th January 2010

West Leys Walk
Photos from a walk through Shipley Country Park
Members from the West Leys Group met on a lovely sunny morning for a
walk in Shipley Country park.

Members met at the Visitors Centre at 10:30 and then headed off across the park
lead by Doreen from Heanor WI.
We walked up through the woods and stopped near the site of Shipley Hall.
From there we went to have a look at the West Leys Bench that had been placed in commemoration of the Millennium.
Unfortunately, as the photos below show, some damage has been caused to the seat.
It looks as though someone has tried to start a fire on the bench.
It is also in need of some cleaning up, but considering the bench has been in place for nearly
ten years it has not faired too badly.

We saw lots of bluebells in the woods, covering the ground like a carpet.
The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Tt was all very peaceful and
a perfect day to be out walking.

There are some lovely areas in Shipley Park and also a few surprises.
The tree with the face carved into it was one that some of the group had not seen before.
As we headed down the road, we came across a herd of cows in an enclosure by the side of the path.

Our walk continued as we followed our leader on towards Mapperley Reservoir,
and a welcome break to use the loos.
We carried on around the reservoir on a path that few of us knew about,
then on to Mapperley Village.
Before continuing to Mapperley, some of the group chose to start heading back as by this time we had
been walking for over two hours and legs were beginning to tire.
It was a smaller group that headed into Mapperley Village, where we turned left
and followed a track for a short while befor taking a path on the left.
We arrived at a nature reserve and went through the gate and into a lovely area of trees and wild flowers,
once again there were lots of bluebells.

We made our way on to Derby Lodge where the rest of the group had stopped for tea, homemade cakes and scones.
After a brief stop it was then best foot forward as we headed down Bell Lane and back to the visitors centre, and the Ramblers Cafe.
A few of us decided to sit outside and have some lunch and a drink, what a good idea!
The baghettes were delicious, bacon cobs, mouthwatering and toasties packed with filling.
We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways all agreeing it had been a very enjoyable walk.

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