Shipley Country Park, Derbyshire > Reviews (3)

** The Location **

Living in Derbyshire, I tend to forget that we are on the tail end of the Peak District. Indeed high peaks aren't as good a description of this part of Derbyshire as rolling hills, but maybe this is a more accessible area of the Peak District for those who can't always manage the peaks. Shipley Country Park in Derbyshire is certainly a testament to that theory as it tries to be as accessible to the disabled as the terrain allows.

Shipley Country Park is, unsurprisingly, in Shipley. Although where exactly the park boundaries are in Shipley I couldn't say. Shipley itself doesn't have a large residential population and has the dubious honour of having The American Adventure theme park taking up what was once part of the country park. There are various ways to reach

the park, but the main entrance is off the A608 Derby to Heanor (or Heanor to Derby) road. It is signposted as Heanor Gate Industrial Estate and Shipley Park. This road takes you to the Visitor's Centre car park, which I should warn you, has the odd pothole. A parking fee of 50p is requested, which should be paid at the 'Honesty Box'. This isn't a monitored thing as it wouldn't be cost effective to monitor it, particularly during the winter months.

** The Visitor's Centre **

The Visitor's Centre is towards the end of the car park and it houses toilets (including a disabled/baby changing one), a shop and the Ramblers café. The shop has the usual souvenirs and trinkets, but you can also get walking guides and various other guides and booklets about the local area and history. It also sells the all important ice creams and ice lollies for those hot days. One side of the shop is usually reserved for displays of interested, like the local wildlife. These are often educationally aimed at children. Do take a look around there and beyond though as there are often things of interest on display and I regret that I don't look more often.

The Ramblers café is something I highly recommend; whether it's just a drink and snack or a full meal. They aim towards healthy and organic and if you like something a little different, for example fruits in your side salad, then you will love the menu. However, if you don't go in for healthy or different you can still have a plate or chips or some bacon. You can eat inside or out, depending on the weather of course. Prices are average. They aren't exactly cheap, but they certainly aren't extortionate either.

** For Families **

Outside the Visitor's Centre there's a children's playground suitable for younger children. Or for the older and more able children, carry on past the playground to reach the adventure playground.

Surrounding the Visitor's centre and car park are fields with picnic benches dotted around the edges. These fields are quite high and open making them a rather windy place to be. Therefore it is common to see people flying their kites there, still leaving plenty of room for people who want to kick a ball around.

If you go across the fields following the slope down you will come to Osborne's Pond.

This is a favourite place for feeding the ducks (including geese, swans and coots). On nice days the ducks get overfed and start leaving the bread; so if you are patient and watch carefully you can watch the big carp (fish) coming up for it instead. Personally my favourite days for feeding the ducks here are snowy days. Not only are the ducks particularly hungry, but the scenery is stunning.

To the side of the pond is another field which again is great for picnics and kicking a ball around on. Most of the field is regularly mown, but part is left to grow at appropriate times for the meadow wildflowers and very pretty it is too. There is a public toilet block to one side of the field, but out of season it is bound to be locked; often to my frustration.

** Keeping Fit **

Another common activity in Shipley Park for families is bike riding. There are plenty of paths so you won't be doing cross country getting stuck in the mud if you don't want to.

Following the paths around the park you will come across activities for some sort of training course (parallel, sit up bars etc.). Admittedly they are more often climbed on by children who seem to think they are playgrounds. However, they do serve a more serious purpose and have instructions on how to use them on a post nearby.

** Walks **

Walking is probably the biggest attraction in Shipley Park and there are plenty of routes to take. Whether you want to stick to woods, ponds, farmlands, or enjoy all the landscapes, you can pick and choose as you go. If you are new to Shipley, you may prefer a marked route. These routes can be found on-line, at the Visitor's centre or you can follow the signposted 'Nutbrook Trail'.

If you ever get to walk in Shipley Park in October/November time, you might like to take a bag and head up to the sweet chestnut trees. These are situated between Osborne's Pond and Mapperly Reservoir. While you are at it you could go into the wooded area opposite to look for other chestnut trees and find the remains of Shipley Hall. Some of it is still standing, but most had to be pulled down leaving just the foundations to show where it stood. Still standing is the tower, which has in the past been a café, but is now a private residence. I always wonder what it must be like to live in what is essentially a tourist attraction!

** Other Interests **

Horses are allowed in certain parts of the park on the marked bridleways. There isn't too much restriction if they wander off them, but there are a few mostly new growth areas which are off limits. As you wander around the park you may also notice the horse jumps. They sometimes hold (or used to hold) a cross country horse race.

Angling is also a big attraction for the park. The lakes have been re-stoked in recent years and there is a good range of fishing including roach, tench, bream, carp, perch and pike.

Day tickets need to be purchased at the Visitor's Centre. If you are buying a day ticket and want an early start, you may want to buy a ticket the day before as the centre does not open until 9am.

Day tickets can only be used on Osborne's Pond and Mapperly Reservoir, but with a National Coal Board area 5 season ticket I believe you can also fish Adam's Pond.

** Overall **

Overall this is an attraction to suit every age group and every budget. I have enjoyed this park since I was a child at the local school there and a lot of day trips were taken in the park. Today I still love it and like to take my own children there. When my grandmother was infirm we would take her in a wheelchair and it was one of her few enjoyments towards the end of her days.

There aren't many places where you can get nature, heritage and fun for the children all in one place and all for no entry price. I can thoroughly recommend it.

Nb. Please ignore the room rating as unless you are counting the whole park as a room; in which case it's the biggest room I have ever come across (a bit draughty though).