Simplicity and Drama: The views of the pathway to the magical secret woods, views and vistas.

Lockdown is probably the last thing that is on people's minds, but for me as a landscape photographer it offered “something of an opportunity to discover new locations.” And, one of those locations thankfully was local; especially when we were “being told to stay at home and protect the NHS.” But, we were still allowed under quite convoluted rules to have exercise and to explore the locality; plenty of people discovered new things and I did, in this case it was probably the most delightful and hidden spot that I have come across, somewhere magical and somewhere largely secretive that is a sanctuary for both walkers and wildlife. Yes the Nottinghamshire countryside might be upon first appearances as not much of a heaven for landscape photography, but I completely disagree - Nottinghamshire offers so much for the landscape photographer with rolling hills, interesting views and of course hidden villages, some of them even having delightful village greens. But on top of that Nottinghamshire happens to be famous for woodland and of course forests, the kind of forests which Robin Hood used to reside within and subsequently have some questionable adventures. Yes a contrast of a county is what Nottinghamshire is.

However though yesterday I had found myself at Alma Hill, a high point located just on the outer fringes of Kimberley, a Nottinghamshire town, not too far from the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border, and Alma Hill sounds like it could just be any ordinary hill and that it is, residential housing; but then look due North West from here and vista’s are all around as far as they eye can see. Of course though something is unique about Alma Hill, and it is the starting point of a walk that takes you to the magical secret and enchanting woodland that I discovered during Lockdown. I had walked just a short distance down the path and immediately had to stop; for to the left of me and behind me the sunshine was basking the landscape and yet straight ahead in the direction of Greasley Church, imposing menacing skies lay ahead, dark and often referred to as “Bill’s Mother” for some reason; and I managed to capture the following.

Greasley vista from Alma Hill - (Landscape).

Greasley vista from Alma Hill - (Portrait).

Greasley Framed - (Landscape).

Greasley Framed - (Portrait).

I continued down this magical undulating pathway; the old road becoming more apparent with old bricks and stones that would have once carried wondering shoes on them; in a time before the motor vehicle was even thought of, and the footpath, the old stones and bricks got the mind thinking; for what stories would they tell of a time when things would have been different, more simple than what they are now; I walked a little further and then paused for a minute, looking over the fields - something of simplicity stood out and the colour of the field and the big sky above me just spoke to me somehow, needless to say that I had to take the following photo.

Simplicity of farmland.

After a short pause I continued to walk, but then something to the left of me distracted me slightly, a view over the town which DH Lawrence used to call home; where he grew up and lived thus walked; yet in the distance the flanks of The Derbyshire Dales; with Crich Stand and The Windmills that sit above Carsington Water, just visible on the horizon some sixteen miles away as the crow flies. Now normally you would think of Nottinghamshire as being low lying, but no it is a county of Juxta Points and vistas in the most unexpected places.

Juxta Pointed.

Continuing on the footpath, trodden by many with stories to tell, I continued, noticing the changes in the landscape; subtle is what they were and yet the landscape parched, a contrast though with some greenery that is slowly beginning to return after a heatwave of extreme proportions in which the temperature in Nottinghamshire officially reached 39.8 degrees at Watnall Met Office Weather Station; although across the county I am pretty sure that the temperature did touch 40 degrees - needless to say though that the parched landscape in front of me with the rolling hills looking towards Derbyshire made for an interesting composition, and it was this simplicity that I just loved. I knew I had to capture the rolling serene scene that was in front of me.

As far as the eye can see - (Portrait).

As far as the eye can see - (Landscape).

Contrasts on the horizon.

Of course though one of the more interesting photographs above shows the contrast, to the left across the fields towards Derbyshire the skies were clear, yet as I turned around ever so slightly Bill’s Mother was still there adding something of a contrast, on the horizon you can clearly see some parched fields with a dramatic and imposing sky - the farm on the horizon being just off Narrow Lane. Needless to say that magic happened again and before long, the pathway ahead of me dipped, dropped downwards, down hill and a man with his dog walking up towards me was something I had to capture.

The walk up (Landscape).

The walk up - (Portrait).

The pathway with more exposed parts of the old road from yesteryear continued to fill me with curiosities and frames everywhere kept appearing with views over a parched arid landscape; for if we get a drought will it be our fault for ruining the planet that we live on? And if so should we instead respect the planet that we live on? Either way the framed compositions with the rolling hills made for another perspective photo opportunity that I had to capture; again with simplicity the frame and the views were something else.

Parched and Framed - (Portrait).

Parched and Framed - (Landscape).

Before long at the bottom of the hill, I looked to the right, another “big sky” and a footpath that I have walked both down and up, was in front of me, simply surrounded by clouds, blue skies that provided something of a portal, alien almost flanked by green crops and green trees - ethereal almost yet so calming; walking around the side of the gate I continued along the last bit of pathway before another portal this time,

Portal - (Landscape).

Portal - (Portrait).

“To the magical secret woods; for this is Watnall Woods and there is a sense of calm here. Sit on one of the two benches and you will be greeted with a symphony of music; the music of nature is what this is - birds, squirrels and other wildlife will greet you, all you need to do is to be patient and before long these woodlands will encroach themselves around you and you end up being on another planet away from the woes, worries and troubles that planet earth is in. Yet here you forget that you are on planet earth - for Watnall Woods feels like a world away and it is that which remains soothing and calm. For here it is true escapism.”

Looking back on me though in the distance, Winston; a local landmark and a wind turbine was visible on the horizon, basking under the late afternoon/early evening sun, framed by a tree and providing Energy for Severn Trent.

Winston Framed - (Portrait).

Winston Framed - (Landscape).

Now though I was in the woodland, magical and a world away from the pathway I had walked down, the light had changed - one of the benches to the left of me and a dream like light with greenery providing the frame and another view of the pathway that I had walked down, the light somewhat flat but I just loved how dreamlike it was.

Dream Framed.

I then sat down and before long the wildlife started to appear, only occasionally being disturbed by passers by, after the passers by had gone, the wildlife came back out again; squirrels and other small birds came to eat and to talk in only a language that they can; for me that language translated into one of nature's music, a symphony somehow of pure natural music that should be heard, that is both blissful and beautiful.

No one can see me, or can they?

Feeding time.

Line of sight is the Squirrel.

After immersing myself in the music of nature I noticed the inner beauty of the woodland and behind me the views across the barley, I captured the following two photographs.

Dreams over Landscape - (Portrait).

Dreams over Barley - (Landscape).

But then the beauty of Watnall Wood began to catch my eyes, artwork all over and the textures and patterns along with shapes within the wood stood out, for it was like a living art gallery and one that just spoke with it’s own words, in front of me surrounded by greenery was a leaf, a yellow colour leaf just perfectly framed and the rest of the woodland was like an art gallery with pictures everywhere that just needed to be discovered.

Living artwork.

Yellow framed by green - (Landscape).

Yellow framed by green - (Portrait).

Golden under glow of the woods - (Portrait).

Golden under glow of the woods - (Landscape).

Exit? For I had to say goodbye to the woodlands that I had been enjoying, that had provided serenity and serendipity along with artwork and of course the music of nature - for I had just walked a short distance from the woods back on the path that I had walked down and looked to the right, the skies still dark and dramatic, the scene of rolling hills and the drama of the skies was something else, again Greasley Church dominating the skyline and providing a focal point amongst the landscape was like a marriage to some degree, a marriage of landscape and architecture.

Layers - (Landscape).

Layers - (Portrait).

Church to the left, Nature all around.

Through fields towards.

Eventually I reached the gate, but then I looked left, a driveway leading down to some glorious properties that remain largely hidden was now in front of me with an ethereal light shining down, golden in colour; and magical, like something from a TV Drama perhaps?

A magic slice of light.

I continued, the views had changed again and the simplicity and drama within the landscape was just speaking to me again and in front of me a golden parched field, ahead of that Winston and something of a slightly unusual composition came about, I lowered the camera slightly and this was the end result. Needless to say that I like it.

Winston's Golden Glow. 

Before long, I managed to get to the top of the hill, for here the views had changed and the vistas had also changed, to the right of me again the retail park with a certain Swedish furniture store and another perspective of Winston and in front of me the view across the Nottinghamshire countryside towards Leicestershire on the horizon.

Certain Swedish Furniture Store.

Leicestershire on the horizon.

However, I then looked back, for I had finished this walk and behind me something magical, the skies were full of drama, saying a humble goodbye and the countryside was rolling, the hills and the views and vistas had been something else.

Green meets Bill's Mother.

Split of the skies.

Rolling towards Drama.

For this walk had been truly magical, a walk that I first discovered during Lockdown, that ever since has always thrown up many surprises, gems and views. Ever changing yes but one that always has something else to offer no matter what the time of year it is, and maybe just maybe it offers something else because it is so unique; for the simplicity and drama along with the views of the pathway that changes moment by moment is just something truly magical that you simply have to experience, for I have and even to this date it is a relatively undiscovered place to walk that offers so much more, that just proves that Nottinghamshire is a county of photogenic secrets and I think this just proves that. Now then, when will Autumn arrive so I can retrace my steps and experience the bold colours of artwork that nature provides? Guess I shall have to wait a while.

Light, Magic and History: What I found one late afternoon around "Wirksworth."

Taking the left turn on the opposite side of The River Derwent, at Whatstandwell, and taking a left turn up the B5035 (Wirksworth Road), you are immediately taken into a world that seems a million miles away from the more touristic routes of the A6 as it winds towards Cromford and Matlock, instead the B5035 meanders uphill and leads you through a mysterious “Lord of the rings” esque world - with trees flanking the road as it gains height, twists and turns and views stretch out over the Derwent valley below, but eventually one turn and the view has gone, leading you higher up until you eventually reach “Wirksworth Moor” a flat and desolate rural area that has the ability to tell stories from both the past and present.

“Whilst not exactly heather moorland, Wirksworth Moor, is rural pasture land, the fields undulating as you go by them and wonder what stories can be told. Here you are well off the tourist routes and here it is all about going off the beaten path, for what will be discovered?”

Eventually having made it to the other side of Wirksworth Moor, it was now time to turn right, before forking off to the left at The Malt Shovel, a pub that sits on the road between Belper and Wirksworth, however this road is more “off the beaten track” but it has the ability to raise questions and just asks you to explore, however it was downwards, down on the B5035 as it slowly winds its way towards the small and beautiful market town of Wirksworth, as the road begins to literally wind itself downwards you can already see Wirksworth in the distance as if it is somewhere that is out of a book, another world almost and one that is just asking the visitor to discover it’s curiosities - behind me though the sky was Grey, yet as I saw in the distance something magical was on the horizon, the town of Wirksworth just glowing under the late March afternoon sun, glistening is what it was and that in itself was something to behold.

Magical is what the landscape is, and the glistening of the sun on the town of Wirksworth just confirmed why we should cherish the landscape surrounding us. A short while later having made it to the bottom of the B5035 and crossing the bridge over the Eccelsbourne valley railway I eventually found myself within this magical gem of a town. The town of Wirksworth itself sits in the northern flanks of The Eccelsbourne Valley, a hidden valley that winds its way towards Duffield, with the aptly named “River Ecclesbourne” meeting the River Derwent in “Duffield” another town on the A6 just below Belper and north of Derby. However, having arrived in Wirksworth it was time to explore, and the last time I had visited Wirksworth was a short while before Christmas of 2021, when I was completely taken away by the beauty of the church that Wirksworth is also famed for.

As a town goes, Wirksworth is small, quaint and picturesque, surrounded by hills which make it seep into the landscape like a painting, viewpoints a plenty add to it’s charm, but it is a town that also has a lot of history and that should never be forgotten - a lot of people will merely “drive through Wirksworth” without stopping or taking the time to explore, and that is a shame really because this town has a lot more to offer than just a pretty looking high street.

Yet ironically the first stop for me, was the high street and unlike a lot of towns across the country, Wirksworth high street is full of delights and curiosities that make this Derbyshire gem gleam like a Diamond, gone here are the big chains and instead little independent stores just add to the atmosphere and ooze charm, one of the shops I decided to have a look in was “Upcycled Creative” which was something of an Aladdin's cave of treasure of upcycled items and gifts to suit all, the seats made from an old supermarket trolley just raised questions, questions on why more people can not see what can be made out of items that would otherwise be thrown away in the scrap heap, yet this glorious independent Wirksworth gem just proves that with a bit of imagination anything is possible and it takes a little bit of thinking outside of the box to make things work. Yet this is one of just a lot of independent and almost hippy like creative shops that exist within Wirksworth.

And of course Wirksworth itself lends itself to landscape photography, which is one of the reasons why I was here, to revisit and explore again, although this time extra daylight was on my side, after leaving Upcycled Creative, I walked a short distance and turned left, to a hidden part of Wirksworth that not many people would know even existed. This part was a pathway that surrounds the glorious church of St Mary’s Church, a hidden gem that needs seeking out and discovering, I had previously in the dark of December 2021, taken a photograph on a winter afternoon and knew I just had to come back, and that was why I was here, the light on the other hand was something else to behold and in the distance looking east above the hill towards Wirksworth Moor, was encroaching grey clouds, but the church was basking in a magical ethereal light.

Wirksworth Treasure - (Landscape).

Wirksworth Treasure - (Portrait).

This light was just something else, calming and soothing, but would it get any better? After taking the first two photographs I noticed a tower, like something from a fantasy novel, basking again in the light and looking almost semi-French, I mean it is worth looking up sometimes as architecture in itself can be thought provoking and is possible of communication.

French dreams in a Derbyshire town.

Then I just turned around and saw an alleyway, narrow is what it was, old and charming and the bike at the end along with a passing pick-up truck made for an interesting composition, but which do you prefer? Colour or Black and White?

Alleyway Dreams - (Colour).

Alleyway Dreams - (Black and White).

I just wondered in a split second how many stories that ancient alley way would have to tell, stories from yesteryear as well and the shop on the other side of the road from the alleyway also added to the subject in the photograph.

Before I knew it - another angle and another photo opportunity, in front of me now was the church looking perhaps even more delightful than when I had first seen it, by now something else was happening and that light was looking even more delightful and serene, the calm of the light against the church was changing and for the best, in my mind was just the vision of yesteryear along with the history that I was going to find out.

Leading are the rails - (Landscape).

Leading are the rails - (Portrait).

Railings surrounding the church making for interesting leading lines and it was like stepping back in time, I then walked towards St Mary’s Church with an open mind, before eventually turning right into the church itself where I was greeted by a certain sense of calm and tranquillity, as soon as you step into this delightful church you are greeted with history and information about the history of the church itself.

Of course though for such a small town, St Mary’s Church is one that was built for the town upon the history and industry that Wirksworth itself is famed for, that industry being Lead, and Wirksworth was built on the Lead mining industry. Everywhere you look around there is stone and links to mining, the landscape communicates this easily to anyone with a keen eye. Whilst the outside of St Mary’s Church is simply stunning, the inside of St Mary’s Church, again is another delight that is worth exploring, and here I was inside this delightful church. But another curiosity exists here and that is the following carving.

Greetings from "Th' Owd Man.

Named simply as “Th' owd Man” which is the oldest representation of a miner from 1,000 years ago, yet here I was looking at this piece of historical artwork and piece of history that was right in front of me. Amazing that this carving can raise so many questions and in this case it certainly did.

Leaving the calm and serenity of the church I exited and turned right, in front of me another building that looked odd and not too different from another building in Ashover. Yet this building was another Grammar School - detached from the Church yet provided another curiosity and built in the same style as the one in Ashover is.

Grammar Gold.

By now I was on the other side of the church, and the magic had changed, becoming that slightly more richer. Golden was now the colour of the magical Wirksworth light, and I paused and looked up at the spire, reaching ever higher towards a grey sky with flanks of blue within it.

Art in the light.

When Gold vs Grey.

But then as I reached the location near to where I had entered the mystical and magical circumference path of St Mary’s Church, an explosion of artwork occurred, I say explosion as the light felt as if it had exploded into gold, the gold with the grey of the clouds and immediately I was transported into another world, one that could be forgiven as being as a scene of being within a novel about rural life, was it real? Yes it was.

Richness of Gold.

Enchanted afternoon light.

Wirksworth Gold.

Afternoon light.

Gold of the Church.

Shadowed in a scene.

Magic is the calm.

Magical wonderland is what I had been in, yet now it was time to move on, I headed back to where I started from, and a short distance away I had arrived at another location that remains hidden. A “Sci-Fi” like world located above the town of Wirksworth - known simply as “Star Disc.” Star Disc itself is something of a modern stone circle that provides a place of sanctuary along with education and event space, outdoors and comes alive at night, with stories and science about the skies above.

“Wirksworth is just one of those places that offers so much for such a small place, history, art and community that is vibrant, where questions are asked and stories are told, where it is like walking through a living art gallery, the angles of the streets and scenes are just waiting to be discovered. Yet time is what is needed here, so slow down and let the delights of this town encompass you with its delights.”

Immediately though upon arrival at Star Disc, the light had changed again and it was almost like being in a Terry Pratchett novel, blue, orange, yellow and pink, ahead of me in the distance a rainbow and here I was virtually alone, the only one at this magical location. Looking towards the south I captured the following change in the sky.

Atmospheric Charms.

Then I managed to “strike gold” from left to right. The magical light had returned and the landscape was immediately lit up again, Wirksworth below and the valley on fire. I was amazed and whilst I normally do not do panoramic photography, I managed to capture the following panorama.

Gold are the hills.

Upon looking backwards I was equally amazed, the Star Disc and the calm of it, combined with hints of orange and yellow towards the west was something else to behold. I paused and was pleasantly surprised with the following,

Afternoon Gateway.

A kestrel and another one above, hunting in the quiet late afternoon sky was just magical and magnificent, detached from the rest of the fractured world. I was in a state of solitude, quiet solitude of course and that in itself was one of the most strangest sensations ever experienced. Still though, another panoramic opportunity arose.

Light and gold casts magic.

The valley below and the town below was something of a serene scene, quiet all around and still yet the skies rapidly changing, but in my mind now was another viewpoint, behind me the steps that lead you to the top of Star Disc, were calling and beckoning me to climb them, when I eventually reached the top and the platform with the views and the light that by now was ever changing like some kind of theatrical show, performed by mother nature herself.

Light Up.

Landing on Star Disc.

The pink of the Disc.

Star Dreaming.

Slowly walking back down the steps I had walked up on, something struck me, and that was the element of escapism and magic that I had encountered, it was like nothing else I had encountered before and was just sheer beauty in its own right and whilst I was only in Wirksworth for a short time, one late afternoon, what I had found was light, magic and history, which for a small town is something else, and for anyone visiting Wirksworth it is worth stopping in this magical town and actually exploring, for you might also discover a secret and story that has not been told, but perhaps the best way to describe Wirksworth as, is that of a book, fantasy or not, it has chapters that will make you want to discover it more and more - and that in itself is a unique way of looking at a town steeped in history and stories that make you want to see how the novel progresses.

Seek out what Wirksworth has to offer and you will soon find another discovery.