# Poppy Wood
**Type:** Misadventure | **Location:** Melbourne, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom
**Murphy & Me Rating:** 2.5/5 (space, sniff factor, facilities, ease)
## About
Someone recommended Poppy Wood in a local Facebook group and it hadn't been on our radar before, so naturally we thought we'd give it a try.

What followed was a masterclass in why clear parking instructions matter.

I couldn't find the car park. Not on arrival, not during the walk when I accidentally stumbled across it from the inside, and not even after we left when I actively went looking for it out of sheer determination. I ended up parking in a lay-by near a farm entrance, which led us into scrubland rather than the woodland we were expecting.

First impressions were… not great.

Eventually we found our way onto the main gravel paths that loop through the woods themselves. Poppy Wood is part of The National Forest and was planted in 2007 as a northern gateway to the area — a cluster of community woodlands that, according to the signs, are home to native species and provide important habitat for wildlife.

In practice, it felt a bit unloved.

The paths were gravel and easy enough to follow, but the woods themselves weren't particularly well-kept. There was a fair amount of dog poo left along the route, which was disappointing given how well-signposted the bins were at the entrance.

It wasn't unpleasant. It just wasn't especially inspiring either — more functional than magical, more scrubby than scenic.

That said, Murphy spent 45 minutes in a state of total sniff-based euphoria.

He investigated every corner, doubled back on himself repeatedly, and moved with the focus of a dog on a very important mission he couldn't quite explain but was absolutely certain about.

From his perspective, this was a brilliant walk. From mine, it was fine — but probably not one we'd rush back to when there are so many other lovely woodland walks nearby.

If you do visit, the actual car park is on Pastures Hill (DE73 8DX). I'm told it exists. I remain unconvinced, but the map suggests otherwise.

## Murphy's Verdict
*Reviewed by Murphy, Cavapoo and chief sniff tester at Murphy & Me — The Dog Edit*
> "Mum spent the entire walk looking slightly confused and muttering about car parks.

I spent the entire walk conducting extremely important scent investigations.

We had very different experiences, but mine was excellent. 🐾"
## Highlights
- Part of The National Forest with gravel paths and plenty of off-lead space
- Murphy-approved for serious sniffing opportunities
- The car park is genuinely tricky to find — save yourself the detour and head straight for Pastures Hill
- Unfortunately quite a bit of dog poo left on paths despite bins being available
- Probably not the most scenic woodland walk in the area, but functional and quiet
## Dog-Friendly Features
Free-Parking, Woodland, Off-Lead, Gravel Paths, Poo Bins
## About This Review
Poppy Wood was personally visited by Murphy & Me — The Dog Edit, a trusted dog-friendly recommendation network covering Derbyshire and beyond. Every review is based on a genuine visit. No paid placements. Murphy approved where earned.
**Source:** [Poppy Wood on Murphy & Me](https://murphyandme.co.uk/misadventures/poppy-wood)
**Publisher:** Murphy & Me — The Dog Edit | murphyandme.co.uk
**Published:** 2026-07-05