A Longer Walk

An ancient footway between Totley village and Totley Bents which was cobbled at private expense between the two World Wars. 

When you reach the bottom of the footway turn right on Penny Lane.  Almost immediately you will see a pair of old gatepiers on your left.  These mark a path into the wood which can be overgrown with brambles at certain times of the year.

This heavily wooded area has grown up on one of the waste heaps left from the building of Totley Tunnel.  Hidden among the trees is the Number 1 Airshaft.   This area was originally farm land with two cottages which stood at the corner of Hillfoot Road and Penny Lane. 

Walk to the end of Penny Lane and turn right into Hillfoot Road.

The building is reputed to be over 300 years old and has been a pub since at least 1813.  This area now known as Hillfoot was once a small hamlet called Bentley. There were several cottages, a farm, stables and a corn mill here. 

Continue down Hillfoot Road passing the end of Penny Lane and across the Grade II listed road bridge over Needham's Dike.

Built probably by John G Waterfall in 1852, it has been known by various names including Totley Vale, Totley Dale and Grove House.  The drive to the east now comes out on Totley Brook Road, but before the building of the railway, it joined Baslow Road on what has become Grove Road.  The entrance to Totley Tunnel lies in the field to the southeast. 

Continue along Hillfoot Road and turn right at the end of the high wall, over the stile and follow the path through the field to a kissing gate. 

The smaller of the two 18th century bridges incorporated into the walls of Totley Grove, this bridge crosses Needham’s Dike close to its confluence with Old Hay Brook.   The Bentley Corn Mill and later the Upper Mill Scythe Works stood nearby. 

As you retrace your route to Hillfoot Road you will pass a door in the boundary wall of Totley Grove.  Stand and notice the line of six mature trees to your right which marked the edge of the mill pond. 

A Grade II listed road bridge over the Old Hay Brook built in the late 18th century and forming the traditional boundary between Totley and Dore. Prior to the bridge being built there was a ford here. 

After crossing the bridge walk to the next corner where you will see the entrance to Avenue Farm.  Follow the signposted public footpath leading down steps to the left immediately before the entrance gates. 

Between the 16th and early 19th centuries this was the site of a leadmill and the waters of the Old Hay Brook were heavily polluted with poisonous effluent. Later this became a scythe mill, grinding blades from Totley Forge, further upstream. The terrace of cottages was built to house the mill workers.  

Walk up the drive and through the courtyard, up the steps and over the stile into the field.  Keeping close to the wall, follow the path to a second stile and then pass through gates into and out of Bents Farm to Penny Lane beyond where you will turn left. 

Built as a farm in 1865 on land that was originally part of Totley Commons until the 1839 Enclosure Award.  The Award also gave the adjacent Recreation Ground to the village.  During the smallpox epidemic of 1893, the Cricket Inn was used as a mortuary. 

Now retrace your steps back along Penny Lane.

Mainly built in the mid and late 18th century but with earlier origins dating from the late 16th century.  It is thought to be one of the earliest buildings in the area and is Grade II listed.  Note the barn to the rear which was constructed with bricks left over from the building of Totley Tunnel. 

Originally a farmhouse, in the 1830s it was recorded as an alehouse and in the 1890s it was popular with navvies building the Totley Tunnel.  The pub survived until the 1950s when it became a house and dairy. 

Totley Tunnel waste tip and airshaft constructed in 1889.  Visible from the bottom of Strawberry Lee Lane. 

Monnybrook is thought to have been named after the many brooks that join together to form Needham’s Dike.  The cluster of buildings includes farms, cottages and the old Totley Workhouse, now part of Monnybrook Farm. 

Turn left at the junction of Lane Head Road and Baslow Road.

Built by public subscription and dedicated on 27 November 1920. Plaques commemorate the ten local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and the 13 servicemen and women killed in World War II.  Totley History Group has researched the lives of the WWI soldiers and published a book entitled “Totley War Memorial WWI 1914-1918”. 

Continue along Baslow Road until you return to the Cross Scythes.