Three Ships, Nelson & Wellington Circular (7.3 miles)
A winter-warmer of a walk that packs in naval history, stately home views, and gritstone edges. This circular route from Birchen Edge takes in the famous ‘Three Ships’ carvings, Nelson’s and Wellington’s Monuments, before dropping into Baslow and skirting the Chatsworth Estate, returning via the high ridge of Dobb Edge.
⚠️ Please note: This route has been created and shared by an Outdoor Active community member. It has not been checked or verified by Let’s Go Peak District. Please read the full walk description carefully, check weather and ground conditions before setting out, and look to community reviews and comments on Outdoor Active for up-to-date feedback. Always follow the Countryside Code.
View Full Route on Outdoor Active ↗History, Heroes, and High Views
This is a walk that tells a story. Starting from the busy Birchen Edge car park, you are immediately immersed in a landscape that feels both ancient and deeply patriotic. With the gritstone edges above you and the grand estate of Chatsworth below, this circular route is a favourite for good reason—especially when the winter frost hardens the ground and turns the muddy paths into crisp, navigable trails.
It is a walk of contrasts: naval monuments carved into rock, sleepy village pubs, the grandeur of one of England’s finest stately homes, and a sweeping ridge walk that offers “brill views” back across the Derwent Valley.
Birchen Edge and The Three Ships
The walk begins at the Birchen Edge Car Park, conveniently located by the Robin Hood Inn, a welcome sight for both pre-walk nerves and post-walk refreshments.
From the car park, the path climbs almost immediately onto the edge itself. Here, you encounter the famous “Three Ships”—three ship carvings etched into the gritstone by Napoleonic-era sailors. Named the Victory, Defiance, and Royal Sovereign, they commemorate Admirals Nelson, Duncan, and Howe. It is a rare piece of naval history, stranded high above the Derbyshire countryside.
Just beyond the ships, you reach Nelson’s Monument, a striking stone pillar erected in honour of the great Admiral. The monument stands proud against the skyline, and the views from its base stretch for miles.
Wellington’s Monument and The Descent
Continuing along the edge, you soon arrive at Wellington’s Monument, a more modest tribute to the Duke of Wellington. Though shorter than its Nelson counterpart, it commands a similarly impressive outlook.
From here, the route descends from the exposed edges down into the valley. The path drops through woodland and farmland, with the ground underfoot changing from gritstone to grass. There are “a few steps here and there”—stone staircases that help you negotiate the steeper sections—but nothing that should trouble a moderately fit walker. As you descend, the views of the surrounding hills open up, and the tower of Chatsworth House begins to poke through the trees.
Baslow and Chatsworth
The route passes through the pretty village of Baslow, with its historic bridge over the River Derwent. This is a great spot for a breather, perhaps even a detour to one of its tearooms.
Skirting the edge of the Chatsworth Estate, the walk follows the river and parkland boundaries. Even without entering the house itself, the sheer scale of Capability Brown’s landscaping is awe-inspiring. The parkland is home to roaming deer, ancient oaks, and vistas that have inspired artists for centuries. The path here is gentle and forgiving—a pleasant contrast to the rocky edges above.
Dobb Edge and The Return
The final push takes you up onto Dobb Edge, a lesser-known but equally rewarding ridge that sits opposite Birchen Edge. From here, you get the best perspective of the walk: looking back across the valley, you can see the monuments you visited hours earlier, now distant and small.
The path along Dobb Edge offers a grand finale—”brill views” in every direction, with the Chatsworth Estate sprawling below and the gritstone escarpments framing the sky. The route then loops back down to the car park, bringing you full circle.
Why Winter?
This walk is a “great winter walk, especially when the ground is frozen.” The usual Peak District mud gives way to hard, crunching paths, making the steeper sections far more manageable. The low winter sun casts long shadows across the edges, and the bare trees reveal views that summer foliage would otherwise hide. Just bring your spikes if it gets icy!
ℹ️ Tourist Information
- Bakewell Visitor Centre 4.4 miles
🥾 Nearby Walks
🍺 Local Pubs
- The Robin Hood 0.1 miles
- The Cavendish Hotel 1.5 miles
- The Prince of Wales in Baslow 1.7 miles
☕ Cafes & Tearooms
- Hassop Station Café & Monsal Trail Cycle Hire 4 miles
- Peak Village 4 miles
- The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop 4.5 miles
🏨 Places to Stay
- The Cavendish Hotel 1.5 miles
- Tick Tock Cottage 1.5 miles
- The Hide 1.7 miles
- Chatsworth Cottages 1.7 miles
🏛️ Attractions
- Chatsworth House 1.8 miles
- Haddon Hall 4.5 miles
- Peak Rail 5 miles
- Matlock Farm Park 5.2 miles
🎪 Coming Up
Distances are straight-line and approximate. Actual travel distances may vary.
){kind=link}