Cranford and Twywell Hills and Dales.

With Maureen. Thursday 16 March . 7.8 miles. Around 200 feet of ascent. 

We set off from Top Dysons, near the Old Forge in Cranford St Andrew, and walked along St Andrew's Lane, as far as the footpath to the right, which took us through the grounds where the church and hall are situated. There were plenty of sheep and lambs.

The path heads across the parkland and emerges at The Green, which becomes Church Lane and passes St John's church.

Shortly afterwards we take the footpath which leads through a field, up to a gap in a fence, and down a dip with a footbridge.  We should have stayed further to the right, as we ended up close to the off-road tracks in the old quarry. In the end it was not a big problem and we made our way to Twywell. We walked along High Street, the Green and Lower Street before following the footpath sign to Twywell Hills and Dales, on the site of old ironstone workings. 

The first part of the path is through pleasant woodland, then there is a section where the noise of the A14 is intrusive. We followed a path between fences which brought us to this carved stone.

Notice the Dartmoor ponies which are there to graze and protect the habitat.

By following the map and path signs we made our way back to Cranford - almost seven miles in all, but I need to walk it again to get the route clear.