Ladybower Reservoir: Lost Villages Circuit from Fairholmes

A complete lower-level circuit of Ladybower’s northern arm, starting at Fairholmes public pay-and-display car park. Allow about 2 hours 45 minutes for the roughly 9 km walk, including time to pause by the water.

Leave the car park towards the roundabout, cross the valley below Derwent Dam and take the path east to the shore lane. Follow it south past the site of Derwent village, then continue on the broad reservoir-side bridleway through Derwent Wood. The route crosses the small valley streams on bridges before reaching Ashopton. Turn onto the northern pavement of the A57 bridge to cross the reservoir, then turn north alongside the western shore. Stay on the mapped pavement and woodland footpath, crossing the footbridge and continuing through Lee Wood and the shore woods back to Fairholmes.

The submerged villages of Derwent and Ashopton give this trail its name. Water levels affect what can be seen, so do not expect exposed remains. The route includes tarmac lanes, shared paths, gravel and earth woodland sections with roots, short slopes and occasional steps. Wear shoes with grip, particularly after rain. Take care beside traffic on the bridge and at the lane and car park crossings; the bridge pavement is part of the route. Do not extend west along the A57, where there is no continuous walking verge or footway.

Parking charges apply at Fairholmes. Severn Trent lists car parks as open in daylight hours, with closures in extreme weather and no overnight parking. Toilets and a refreshment kiosk are at Fairholmes, subject to opening hours; face-to-face visitor information is no longer available there. Download the route before arriving because mobile reception is limited. Keep dogs on leads, respect forestry signs and keep out of the reservoir. Check current site notices before travelling.

Route and access sources: Severn Trent’s Upper Derwent Valley trail map and visitor-site information, together with the Peak District National Park’s Fairholmes visitor information (checked October 2026). https://www.stwater.co.uk/content/dam/stw/visitor-sites/udv-walks-new.pdf and https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/visitor-centres/derwent