Sandiacre, Derbyshire

Stoney Clouds Local Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

6.5

Wildland

1–2 hours for the viewpoint

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

HillsValleyFarmlandRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersWildlife loversFamilies

Why it's Wildland

6.5

An exposed sandstone escarpment above Sandiacre, where undisturbed grassland, wildflowers and traces of medieval ridge-and-furrow farming meet far-reaching views across the Trent and Erewash valleys.

Stoney Clouds earns its place for a clear, memorable combination: a sandstone outcrop, open grassland, evidence of medieval cultivation and a viewpoint that can reach Crich Stand on a clear day. It is a modest reserve rather than a remote wilderness, but the elevated outlook and landscape story make it more than an ordinary local walk.

Peaceful · Big-sky · Wild

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Sandiacre, Derbyshire

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The experience

Come for the elevated view over the Trent and Erewash valleys, then look for the sandstone outcrop and traces of medieval ridge-and-furrow. For a longer outing, use the council’s six-mile circular walk through countryside and historic villages.

Things to do

Take in the Walk in the Clouds viewpoint

Reach the viewpoint for views over the Trent and Erewash valleys. On a clear day, Crich Stand is visible, nearly 14 miles away, according to the local tourism listing.

Look for the sandstone outcrop and ridge-and-furrow

The council’s walk guide describes undisturbed grassland around the sandstone outcrop and surviving signs of medieval ridge-and-furrow cultivation.

Extend the walk towards the Erewash Canal

The local tourism listing says visitors can continue down to the canal and extend the walk towards Stanton Gate. Check the route and current conditions before setting off.

Follow the six-mile A Walk in the Clouds route

A council-published, medium-difficulty walk through rolling countryside and historic villages, incorporating Stoney Clouds. The route guide reports about six stiles, 11 gates, a footbridge, steps and steep inclines.

3–4 hours

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow time for a short visit; exact duration is not stated in the supplied sources.

Up to the viewpoint

01
Use a footpath entrance from Church Drive, Cloudside Road or Ilkeston Road.
02
Walk up to the Walk in the Clouds viewpoint.
03
On a clear day, look across the Trent and Erewash valleys and towards Crich Stand.

Half day · 3–4 hours; 6 miles

A Walk in the Clouds

01
Follow the Erewash Borough Council’s A Walk in the Clouds route, starting at Sandiacre Library.
02
Pass Stoney Clouds Nature Reserve and continue through countryside towards Stanton-by-Dale and Risley.
03
Allow for undulating terrain, stiles, gates, a footbridge, steps and inclines; check the council route guide before setting out.

Verified history

The council’s walk guide records signs of medieval ridge-and-furrow ploughing at Stoney Clouds. The same route passes St Giles’ Church in Sandiacre, whose building includes parts dating to the 10th century, and St Michael and All Angels Church in Stanton-by-Dale, which the guide dates to the 13th century.

Hidden details

The old field pattern — Look across the grassland for signs of ridge-and-furrow, a surviving trace of medieval ploughing noted in the council’s walk guide.

The Sandiacre Imp — On the longer council walk, St Giles’ Church has a carving known as the Sandiacre Imp on the arch above the chancel, alongside a Saxon window.

When to go

April · May · June · July · August · September · Choose a clear day for the viewpoint; no source confirms a specific best hour.

The supplied tourism listing recommends the reserve in late spring to early autumn and notes that the viewpoint has far-reaching views on clear days. The council route guide describes the site as rich in wildflowers.

The longer route has undulating ground, inclines and steps. Check the forecast and route conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not specify surface conditions at the reserve.

The route

stiles: Approximately 6
surface: Undulating countryside; detailed surface specification not supplied
distance: 6 miles
duration: 3–4 hours
difficulty: Medium; mixed terrain
waymarking: Check the council route guide; specific waymarking details are not stated in the supplied excerpt.
start point: Sandiacre Library, Doncaster Avenue, Nottingham, NG10 5FJ
parking start: The route guide gives Sandiacre Library as the start. Parking arrangements at the start are not specified. For the reserve, Visit Erewash lists roadside parking on Cloudside Road and Church Drive.
shorter alternative: Walk from an access footpath to the viewpoint and return; the supplied sources do not specify its distance or duration.

Stoney Clouds Nature Reserve and sandstone outcrop
Views over the Trent and Erewash valleys
St Giles’ Church and St Michael and All Angels Church
Risley Glebe Nature Reserve
Traditional farm fields and historic villages

Worth pairing with

A Walk in the Clouds

A council-published six-mile, 3–4-hour walk incorporating Stoney Clouds and passing through countryside and historic villages. It also includes St Giles’ Church and Risley Glebe Nature Reserve.

Erewash Canal towards Stanton Gate

An optional extension mentioned by Visit Erewash; confirm the route and conditions before relying on it.

Dale Abbey

Visit Erewash says Dale Abbey is less than four miles away and can be reached by public footpath or road; it identifies an abbey ruin and a hermit’s cave built into the rock face.

What to look for

Look for the sandstone outcrop, undisturbed grassland and the ridges and furrows left by medieval ploughing. From the viewpoint, see whether Crich Stand is visible on a clear day.

The story

Archaeology

Best time to go

Late spring to early autumn for wildflowers and open views; paths may be muddy in winter.

Choose a clear day for the widest views; late spring and summer are the strongest seasons for seeing the reserve’s wildflowers. Check conditions before setting out, as the longer route crosses undulating countryside.

How long to spend

1–2 hours for the viewpoint; 3–4 hours for the longer council walk

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Families · History lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

A designated public open space with access via footpaths from Church Drive, Cloudside Road and Ilkeston Road. Check current local access information before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

Roadside parking is listed on Cloudside Road and Church Drive. Check local restrictions and availability before setting out.

Check before visiting

Toilets

No public toilets on the reserve or on the council’s six-mile walk; the Visit Erewash listing says toilets are not available.

Food & drink

No on-site café is identified. The council walk information notes a café along the six-mile route; check current availability.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current local signage and access guidance before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm dog rules.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The longer walk is undulating and includes about six stiles, 11 gates, a footbridge, steep inclines and steps. It is not suitable for assuming step-free access.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

The Erewash Canal can be reached by extending the walk; no swimming or paddling permission is evidenced.