Derbyshire Dales District Council led the project in partnership with Community Benefit Society Hurst Farm Wild Works and the opening follows completion of the capital works led by regional contractor G F Tomlinson in October last year.

The project is part of a wider initiative formed by partner organisations to support the physical and mental wellbeing of its residents and making Hurst Farm a better place to live, work and visit. In 2017 Derbyshire Dales District Council alongside Derbyshire CVS, The Friends of Hurst Farm and Platform Housing joined forces to apply for funding.

Thanks to National Lottery players, a £1.26 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund was awarded for this five-year project ending in October 2026, to enhance the natural beauty of the woodland, while also improving accessibility and safety.

The trail provides improved links to community amenities as well as heritage sites, linking the Social Club, Milk Churn Café and Farmers’ Community Garden, the Wishing Stone, Bailey’s Tump and the Lumsdale Conservation Area viewing point.

Various upgrades have been delivered including:

• Over 500 metres of improved footpaths
• New steps, handrails, fencing, seats and bins
• An accessible route from the Social Club to the Wishing Stone
• Safer, better-drained walking routes
• Informative signage and storytelling panels
• A GPS-triggered self-guided heritage tour

District Council Leader Councillor Steve Flitter said: “Hurst Farm means a lot to me and we are proud as a council to be giving something back to this community by securing the project funding with partners. The project has enabled community development, which was one of our main aims, social enterprise, and created opportunities for residents and visitors alike and the wider community.

“We are now working hard with Hurst Farm Wild Works to merge so we can carry on the good work, stability and enthusiasm of what’s here now past this project’s end in October, so we grow in the future.”

Community at the Heart

This project is about more than footpath improvements. The Wild Works team run a varied programme of volunteering and activities aimed at getting people outdoors, increasing connection and wellbeing and learning new skills. Members of the community continue to be warmly invited to take part in regular free sessions including:

• Learning how to grow your own food
• Keeping bees for honey produce
• Vocational skills including constructing dry stone walls
• Woodland management techniques including scything, dead hedging and increasing native flora and fauna.
• Bushcraft and den building sessions
• ‘Have a go’ woodcrafts

Vegetables grown in the Farmers’ Community Garden – also formally opened on Tuesday – go to the Farmers’ Larder Community Pantry, where members of the community can take home fresh locally grown produce free of charge.

600sqm of former wasteland has been transformed into the Farmers’ Community Garden, a growing and training space complete with a polytunnel, covered training spaces and an apiary.

Derbyshire Mind funded a shed which provides a warm connection space, and the project has received £6813.82 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to enable water, electricity, irrigation and beekeeping equipment for the garden, which is now in place ready for the season.

Lisa Newton, Business Development Manager at Hurst Farm – Wild Works said: “The legacy of this project is a local woodland which is safer and easier for all to explore and enjoy, and a thriving space growing produce and offering opportunities for local people. We regularly hear that people have made friendships and are proud of the achievements they have made through getting involved. We are grateful for the funding we have received to date and are working towards a sustainable future.”

Get Involved

The Hurst Farm – Wild Works team can also be found at the Farmers’ Community Garden from 10-4 weekdays above the Farmers’ View on Hazel Grove, Matlock, DE4 3ED, where visitors are welcome to learn more or ask questions in person.

For more information follow the project on Facebook and Instagram @hurstfarmwildworks or book sessions via their website www.hurstfarm.co.uk

You can email the project team at info@hurstfarm.co.uk