This third and final Heritage Walk around Milford actually takes us along Makeney Road into the adjoining twin community of Makeney. This is basically a linear walk although the leaflet describing the route concludes by saying "Retrace your steps to follow the other walks." As the sun was shining and much of the route was directly towards it, several of these images were taken "looking back" on our return to the start.

That start again, was at the interpretation board at the end of Chevin Road (left) opposite the Strutt Arms. This time we crossed Derby Road to go over the bridge on the south side towards the King William pub (right). Crossing the entrance drive to the Mill House pub took us past the wheel pits that we had observed in the second walk and is why I thought they would be better as part of this walk instead.



But having already viewed the wheel pits previously we continued over the River Derwent where at the south-east corner of the bridge are the remains of the former Toll House that was demolished in 1906 when the bridge was widened.

Once over the bridge we turned right to follow Makeney Road (left) by the side of the river. The leaflet advises looking across the river to see the sluice gates of the old mill but even at this time of year the intervening trees made good views difficult. The one above was from about the best position and the difference in the water levels can be seen. It also shows the inn sign for the Mill House pub (right) behind which is the rear wall of the Strutt Arms.

A little further along where the trees are less obstructive, the sluice gates are no longer visible but there are some good views of the weirs and a footbridge over the river.

It is the footbridge that we headed for. One problem when following directions in publications from several years ago is that things on the ground often change. In this instance the leaflet says that a Garden Centre occupies the site of ancient forges and a former Corn Mill built by the Strutts in 1820. Well the old buildings are still there but it's hard to tell from the road whether the Garden Centre is still a going concern.

We entered the Garden Centre site however and went round what is now a Fitness Centre to reach the footbridge. This bridge was not installed over the river until 1976 but it replaced an earlier suspension bridge designed by William Strutt in 1826. The suspension bridge had been demolished shortly after the Second World War.

Zooming back upstream we were able to see what is probably the best available view of the road bridge.The original bridge before the road widening of 1906 was initiated by Jedediah Strutt and was opened in 1793. It was handed over to the Turnpike Trust and the tolls collected were not only for use of the bridge but also the roads as well. It is interesting to note that the total cost of construction of the bridge over both the river and the cut that diverted water to the mill plus the toll houses was under £2200 in the 1790s. Today the same work would probably cost millions.

A wider view from the same point also shows the weirs and the Mill House pub on the left. The sluice gates are hidden by the trees between the pub and the road bridge. Although not easy to see from here, the leaflet says to look for what appear to be round stones at the edge of the river beneath the terrace wall of the pub. It explains that these are "cakes of iron slag from the forges."

The view downstream from the footbridge is much more rural and tranquil despite the fast flowing river.

Apparently the speed of the water over the river bed is enhanced by the paving which can be seen from the bridge. I still marvel at the ingenuity of the pioneers of the industrial age - and despair at the politicians of the 1980s that did their best to destroy our national heritage by ruining much of our manufacturing industry!

After enjoying the views up and down the river we returned to Makeney Road to continue the walk southwards. Opposite the Garden Centre entrance is the stone built Forge Cottage. This was, as the name suggests, originally the home of the forge manager and like many more in Milford and Makeney is a Grade II listed building. Built about 1830 on the site of an earlier building it was purchased by the Strutts twenty five years later in 1855. There are more cottages nearby where workers at the forges were housed and we will begin the final part of this Village Trail around Milford and Makeney a little further along Makeney Road.

Forward to Part 06 - Makeney Road continued

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