Walks in the East Midlands by train

Parks, river and heritage trail.

Museum of Making (30 mins in)

Darley Park

6 lunch spots: Darley Park (1h15 in) — Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys; plus the Joiners Arms (3h in), or the Orangery Café (4h in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Similar walk: North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership.

Villages, churches and views across the Vale of Catmose.

2 lunch spots: the Horse and Jockey Pub (1h45 in), or the Blue Ball (3h15 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Royal Duke, or the Grainstore Brewery

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Canal, river, wooded track and roadside footpath.

2 lunch spots: Wilford Farm (1h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h in)

Warnings: Short stretch on busy A453.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.

Duffield Castle: The remains of one of England's largest castles (National Trust; 30 mins to visit).

2 lunch spots: the Bell and Harp (1h in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h15 in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Rural countryside.

2 lunch spots: Little Spice Box (3h15 in), or the White Lion Inn (3h15 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Railway Inn, or the Grainstore Brewery

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal and Erewash Canal.

2 lunch spots: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h45 in), or the Navigation (3h15 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Good paths, nature reserve, canal and river.

Waterway: nine tenths beside rivers and canals.

4 lunch spots: Beeston Lock (1h in) — the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre; plus Restaurant Sat Bains (2h in)

Warnings: Check for flooding.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Village greens and countryside.

2 lunch spots: Caffe Velo Verde (1h30 in), or the Royal Oak (2h15 in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Butter Cross

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Villages, park grounds and ornamental lake.

2 lunch spots: Dale Abbey (2h in) — the Carpenters Arms, or the Friar's House

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Vernon Arms, the White Swan, the Hoptimist-Spondon, or the Malt Shovel

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Canal, footpaths and roadside footpath.

3 lunch spots: the Anchor Inn (1h45 in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h45 in), or the Moorings (2h45 in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn

Warnings: Last section on busy road.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

River, lanes and racecourse.

1 lunch spot: Southwell Minster Refectory Café (2h30 in)

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

2 lunch spots: the Swan Inn (2h15 in), or Waterloo Lodge (3h30 in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.