A circular walk from the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Osmaston, through Osmaston Park and back. Total distance 3 miles.
This is a really lovely walk, that has many different elements, woodland, open fields, some interesting buildings, and idyllic countryside, it’s not a long walk, but there are a few hills involved, it’s well worth the time and effort. You may have noticed that quite a few of the walks I’ve posted have a pub somewhere along their route, this is no exception. “The Shoulder of Mutton” in Osmaston is a lovely traditional pub serving good beer and food. Their Sunday lunch is great, and you don’t have to book, I would recommend getting there early to get a table though. https://www.theshoulderofmuttonosmaston.com/
We started our walk from the pub, you can however walk to Osmaston from Ashbourne on the Centenary Way, or Bonnie Prince Charlie footpaths, we have yet to do this walk, but when we do I’ll post it here.
I’ll outline the walk first and then go into a bit of history surrounding Osmaston Manor, as it’s quite interesting. It is also worth walking to the top end of the village (turn right from the pub) to check out St Martin’s church.
If you would like somewhere to stay in the area, we have a lovely cottage that is available for holidays and short breaks throughout the year. Aldergrove Cottage
Leave the “Shoulder of Mutton” car park, and take a left, this leads to the village green. Keeping the green on your right, you will see the entrance to Osmaston Manor and park. This is a private road, however you do have access as it leads to public footpaths. We will return down this driveway at the end of the walk. To the left of the driveway there is an obvious footpath, take this path.
As the path descends between fields you will see the mill pond and the sawmill. Head down to the sawmill, and cross over the water. The sawmill is on the right. The mill is not accessible unfortunately, but there are plans to redevelop the building.
From the mill stay on the footpath and carry on up the hill until you see a path on the right. Take this path through the woods, for about 500m. There are various side paths, but they are signposted to indicate that they are private property.
After descending down a hill, you will get to some streams that you can cross over using small bridges. After the streams the path opens up into a large field, at this point take a right, and keep the streams and pond on your right hand side. Carry on the path to right hand side of the fields for about 500m, and then you will see a large farmers gate heading back in the direction you came from. Go through this gate, and keep on the path. It was a bit muddy here when we walked it.
The path goes through some woods, and then climbs towards the site of Osmaston Manor (no longer standing). You will see the mill pond on the right hand side as you ascend. At the top of the hill you will see cottages and working buildings that are used in the estate. Stay on this path, and you get to the driveway of the Estate, that we passed at the start of the walk. Take a left here and you will return to the village green.
Osmaston Manor – a brief history
Osmaston Manor was build between 1845 and 1849 for Francis Wright who inherited the estate from his mother’s family. He married his cousin Selina (1806-1888), the daughter of Sir Henry FitzHerbert of Tissington Hall, in 1830, and they decided to build the Manor to reflect their position in society.
After Francis Wright passed away in 1873, the manor was passed down to his eldest son John Wright. After several unsuccessful business deals John Wright, who had by then changed his name to John Osmaston, decided it was time to sell the Estate.
In 1883 it was announced that the estates of the late Francis Wright at Osmaston were to be sold at auction. Eventually the Estate was bought by Sir Andrew Barclay Walker a business man from Liverpool.
This left John to dispose of the entire collection of valuable painting from the manor, including ‘Monna Lizza’ by Leonardo da Vinci, and ‘The Magdalen’, by Murillo and several works by J.M.W. Turner. The entire collection was estimated to have cost over £150,000, and they all sold at auction for a measly £7000.
Sir Andrew Barclay Walker
Sir Andrew Barclay Walker was a wealthy man with many business interests in and around the Liverpool area. In October 1887 he married for a second time. His bride was Maude, the second daughter of Mr Haughton Charles Okeover, a family of very old standing and who had held the lordship of Okeover for over 700 years.
In February 1892 Sir Andrew died from a long standing illness leaving the Osmaston estate, together with its contents to his eldest son, Peter Carlaw Walker.
Sir Peter Carlaw Walker (1854-1915)
Sir Peter Carlaw Walker, was just 38-years-old when he inherited Osmaston Manor. In 1899 Sir Peter married Ethel Blanche Okeover, In November 1902 Sir Peter and Lady Walker celebrated the birth of their son and heir, Ian Monro Walker. In 1915 Sir Peter became ill and passed away. At the age of 13 Ian Monro Walker inherited the Osmaston Manor estate along with the death duties associated with it.
Ian Monro Walker (1902 – 1982)
Ian would manage the estate whilst adding to his property portfolio, and the manor was used during the second world war by the red cross to treat injured soldiers. The end of the war highlighted the many problems facing many landowners. In 1946 Sir Ian Walker announced his intention to leave Osmaston Manor and take up residence at Okeover Hall which had recently come into his possession.
In the 1960’s Osmaston Manor became too expensive to maintain, and in 1965 the Walker-Okeovers made the decision to demolish the house.
Present Day
The Osmaston Estate is still owned by the Walker-Okeover family. It is managed by Sir Andrew Peter Monro Walker-Okeover and Lady Philippa Walker-Okeover. The foundations of Osmaston Manor still exist and the grassed terraces, ponds, stone steps and balustrades have been restored. Today it is called Osmaston Park and serves as a wedding venue where elaborate marquees stand on the site of the former manor house
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Holiday Cottage in Ashbourne 