Bow Woods and Lea Woods - Sunday 22 March 2026

EM League Event

Photo credit: Richard Field.

About this event

Bow and Lea Woods is an area of two wooded hills, intersected by a road and John Smedley’s Mill. While mostly forested, there are several areas of rough open in the north, and a path network throughout. Signs of the area’s industrial heritage are on display in the form of charcoal burning platforms, and the Cromford Canal at the foot of the southern slope. A carpet of bluebells will be the reward for some tough climbs!

Location

 

Postcode: DE4 5AG

Grid reference: SK 31771 56498

Parking: Parking is at John Smedley's Mill, who have kindly offered us use of their staff car parks. Entry to both car parks is from Lea Road. What3Words: https://what3words.com/echo.pose.tasks Registration for entry-on-the-day will be in the northern car park (pin location). Pre-registered family groups or older people on Green or easier courses should use the southern car park, to minimise the need to cross the road.

Latest updates about this event

Course information

The Blue and Brown courses will have two timed-out road crossings in order to access Bow Woods. This will be marshalled, but competitors must use their own judgement when crossing.
Start: The start has been positioned to reduce climb on courses. It is a 200m uphill walk from the south carp park, and 500m flat then uphill from the north car park.
Finish: The finish is a short distance from the car parks. Courses close at 2:30pm. You must report to Download even if you do not compete your course. Download will be on the route back to the car parks from the Finish.
Facilities: Registration (for those not pre-entered) will be in the main (north) car park. There will be toilets available in both car parks.

Event details

Courses available : White; Yellow; Orange; Light Green; Very Short Green; Short Green; Green; Blue; Brown;

Start times: 10.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

Registration: 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon.

Toilets : Portable toilets will be available in both the north and south car parks.

Dogs : In car park only

Event officials

Planner: David Vincent

Controller: Ranald Macdonald

Organiser: Sophie Vincent - Contact: beansop.sv@gmail.com

Type of event: C (Regional)

Entries and other event details

Fees:

British Orienteering members - Seniors £10.00, Juniors £5.00
Non British Orienteering Members - Seniors £12.00, Juniors £5.00
There will be Entry On the Day at a surcharge of £1.00.

How to enter

Online entry will be available via this page at least one month before the event after our preceding event is completed.

Entry on the day will be available for this event subject to the number of maps remaining for different courses when you register. Estimates of map availability for different courses will be provided here just before the event.

Liability insurance

From 1st January 2026, if you're not currently a member of British Orienteering, you won't be covered by their public liability insurance. You're welcome to take part, but please be aware that you do so at your own risk.

Future events

Sunday 15 February 2026
Longshaw

Thursday 26 February 2026
Allestree

Thursday 5 March 2026
Ilkeston

Recent results

Spring 26
Derby Night MapRuns

Thursday 1 January 2026
Matlock Town

Saturday 6 December 2025
Belper Parks

Routegadget (view routes)

MapRun Results

Join DVO

Derwent Valley Orienteers are a friendly, active club with members throughout Derbyshire.

We welcome new members whatever your experience and can help you learn orienteering and how to improve, either informally or through coaching.

Learn more

Newcomers

You can subscribe to receive information about future events suitable for novices.

Subscribe

We’re supported by the Orienteering Foundation

Thanks to a grant from the Orienteering Foundation, our Club is focusing on offering training courses for newcomers and help at local events in the Derby Area and beyond, but open to people from across Derbyshire.