Tag: united-kingdom

A visit to the Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley.

Sep 2nd, 2025

Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

Today Mick and I enjoyed a 8.75-mile circular walk which took in the Nottingham (disused) and Erewash canal’s. The highlight of the walk was visiting the Bennerley Viaduct – one of only two Victorian Wrought Iron railway bridges still standing today. It is grade 2 listed.

Bennerley Viaduct

After parking we set off following the Erewash Valley Trail along the defunct Nottingham Canal. The canal was opened in 1796 (built by William Jessop) and ran nearly 15 miles from the River Trent at Nottingham to its junction with the Cromford and Erewash canals at Langley Mill. It carried coal from local pits to Nottingham and beyond. It was abandoned in 1937 and is now a nature reserve.

As we walked along the towpath we saw coots and moorhens, Swans, Mallard ducks and a number of Herons.

Nottingham Canal

A Heron looking for its breakfast

We reached the Nottingham Canals Awsworth Fishery which was clearly well kept and popular with Anglers. It was whilst walking along this section that we caught our first glimpse of the Iron Giant spanning the Erewash valley.

Awsworth Fishery

There is an impressive metal sign detailing the history of the Viaduct at the viewing point which is most appropriate.

The Viaduct was part of the Friargate line which was built to break the monopoly of the Midland Railway Company in carrying coal from the mines along the Erewash Valley. One of the engineering challenges was to take the line across the Erewash Valley and over the Midlands Railway, the river Erewash and the Nottingham and Erewash canals. The Bennerley Viaduct was designed to do this. The design engineer came up with a lattice framework that was light and could be built cheaply and quickly.

The line was opened in 1878 and the last train across it was in 1968- thank you Dr Beeching.

We continued along the towpath and found that access to the Viaduct was blocked by major construction works so we did a detour along a concrete lane that skirted the sewage works (yes, it did smell!) and footpaths.

Concrete lane by sewage works

Mick saying hello to a local horse

We crossed over the River Erewash passing from Nottinghamshire to Derbyshire and reached the Erewash canal- no passports required 😊.

Erewash canal

A short walk along the canal brought us to the Viaduct where we could access it. The railway lines and River Erewash were below as we walked across the Viaduct admiring the views and looking at the Viaduct.

On top of the Viaduct

There were nice steel benches leading to the Viaduct – these had been donated by Railway Ramblers. There were bricks on the floor from many different manufacturers – each brick had the manufacturers name on it- a very nice touch. http://www.railwayramblers.org.uk

Steel benches- top quality

View of the River Erewash from the Viaduct

Bennerley Viaduct

Re-joining the Erewash canal we walked past a number of locks enjoying the sunny weather.

At one point we passed a sunken small boat – definitely a hazard for boaters. We wondered why it had not been removed.

Sunken boat

Soon we left the canal and followed easy paths back to the car. We had enjoyed the walk and the Iron Giant was a little gem.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶
Three Amigos: Navigating Muston Gorse and Canal Views

Aug 13th, 2025

Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

With the temperature set to peak today (32 Deg C) during our fourth heatwave of the summer, the Three Amigos met up early (at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir) to enjoy a short walk of 6 miles and avoid the extreme heat. The plan was to walk beside the canal to Muston Gorse bridge, then follow paths to get to the Sustrans track and head back to Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.

Setting off from The Duck pub we made our way to join the towpath of the Grantham Canal. Regular readers will know that I enjoy walking beside the canal. Crossing Woolsthorpe bridge No 61 we could see very little water in the Duck Pound. Nature is reclaiming the canal unfortunately.

Work is underway at lock 16, further downstream, to get the gates water tight. However, there is not much water coming down the canal, hence the dry canal.

Most of the canal network is feeling the lack of water.

How it should look like

Walking along the grass towpath towards lock 15 we met a big dog (a great Dane) that was walking his human. He was a friendly chap-as was his human 😊.

The friendly Great Dane

Reaching Woolsthorpe middle lock (No 15) we enjoyed seeing Belvoir Castle perched on the hill in the distance- its always impressive to see. There was not a cloud in sight, and it was definitely hotting up.

Belvoir castle in the distance

Pausing under bridge 60 (Stenwith bridge) we peered into the canal, taking advantage of the sunlight illuminating the water, to see a multitude of fish swimming to and fro. Soon we reached Muston Gorse bridge ( No 57) where we left the towpath and entered fields.

Muston Gorse Bridge

We were heading for the village of Muston. After crossing fields we joined a track where we met a horse and rider and had a good chat.

The horse and rider

There were a large number of topics of conversation occupying the Three Amigos, as they perambulated along the route.

Having reaching Muston we had a short section of quiet road to walk along before joining the Sustrans cycle trail. Overhanging trees provided some shade from the sun along the cycle trail.

Sustrans cycle trail

Passing through a tunnel I appreciated the graffiti painted on the walls. It really is rather good.

Soon, we were arriving back onto the canal towpath and had a short walk back to Woolsthorpe bridge. This was the end of todays walk – it had been a nice little walk in good company.

What was amazing was getting into the car and not being roasted alive – we had parked in the shade and it was still early enough not to be in the sun. Its the simple things that give pleasure!

Happy Walking! 😊🚶
Three Amigos’ Walking Adventure in Nottingham

Mar 26th, 2025

Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

This morning the Three Amigos took a bus into Nottingham to enjoy a 10.7-mile circular walk from Trent Bridge, along the Nottingham and Beeston canal to reach the river Trent, then back along the river to Trent Bridge. It is fair to say that we all thoroughly enjoyed this walk by water.

Nottingham Forest Football club stadium by the river

Our route

As we arrived in Nottingham, at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, we found that mist was developing -this was disappointing because we had been expecting sunshine! It was the first Three Amigo walk for quite a few weeks. Chris had donned his shorts – myself and Mick wondered whether this was a little rash given the morning chill in the air? Chris assured us that he was a tough cookie and not a wimp like us! Well, what can I say.😊

Trent Bridge Cricket ground

Chris and Mick crossing Trent Bridge

Trent Bridge

We crossed Trent Bridge then headed down the embankment to join the start of the Nottingham and Beeston canal. We wondered when/if the mist would lift? The Forest ground was still shrouded in the mist. Opposite the Stadium was the entrance to the canal.

Joining the Nottingham and Beeston Canal

The canal was built to bring coal into the city from the mines scattered around the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire border. We took the wide towpath, noting that there were plenty of Canadian geese enjoying the canal. The mist was starting to clear 😊.

I particularly liked the amusing artwork on a wall by the canal.

We were heading past beautiful old warehouse buildings side by side with modern new developments. I know which ones I prefer! (The old, since you asked)

Old Fellowes Morton & Clayton depot

The impressive Fellows, Morton and Clayton depot was property of that Company – it operated the largest fleet of barges and narrowboats in the country. This building had its own built-in dock on the ground floor – it’s now a popular nightspot.

Castle Wharf

Castle wharf has a view of Nottingham Castle on the hill- hence the name.

Nottingham Castle

Some of our views looked distinctly Victorian.

Soon we passed a Marina and spotted a Swan sat on it’s nest. Can you see it?

We were heading out of the city now and into the suburbs. There were quite a few cyclists and runners along the towpath – probably because it is close to the University. We even saw a number of individuals paddle boarding – I wouldn’t like to fall in the canal!

Mick and Chris putting the world to rights.

It was amazing how quickly our vista changed from urban to rural.

To our right was the large Boots factory and we soon arrived at the river Trent where stopped to look at the weir. Chris related the tragic tale of a young man who had died whilst trying to rescue someone who had fallen in. There was a memorial to the incident at the Weir.

Weir on the river Trent

Following a path by the river we passed the Sports grounds of Nottingham University – very impressive.

The river Trent

The rural embankment changed to concrete after a while -we were approaching the city.

A trip boat passed us by and it was full of passengers.

We reached Victoria Embankment and crossed the river via the lovely pedestrian bridge – Wilford Suspension bridge. There was a slight bounce as we walked across.

View from Wilford suspension bridge towards Trent bridge

The trip boat passed us by on it’s return leg.

Shortly we arrived back at Trent Bridge and made our way to the bus stop.

It had been a great walk, if a tad chilly at times. I had particularly enjoyed seeing the old warehouses along the canal you can’t beat a bit of heritage!

Happy Walking! 😊🚶
A Beautiful Circular Walk Around Denton and Harlaxton

Mar 17th, 2025

Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

Today, myself and Angela enjoyed an 8-mile circular walk starting in Denton village and going to Harlaxton village- where we joined the Grantham canal, followed by a visit to the tranquil Denton reservoir, before arriving back to the start.

It was a bright sunny morning, although chilly once again, as we set off looking forward to a nice walk (we were not disappointed). Walking through Denton we passed St Andrews church. Like many villages in this area the church and many houses are build using Ironstone and have a lovely light brown colour.

St Andrews church, Denton

Having looked at the church we continued through the village eventually leaving via fields, crossing a wooden bridge followed by many more fields to arrive at the outskirts of Harlaxton village. However ,we wouldn’t be heading for the centre just yet, we were heading out again and uphill to enjoy views back.

Leaving Denton village

We are headed towards the ridge

Heading uphill from Harlaxton

As we moved closer to the top we passed through a field containing some lovely placid horses. We stood for a while admiring the view.

Looking down at Harlaxton village

After crossing another field and climbing up a metal ladder (you don’t see these very often) we met a road. An easy walk downhill brought us back into Harlaxton.

The ladder to the road

Walking into the village we were intrigued by the unusually tall chimneys.

We noted that a couple of houses had an unusual canopy/extension.

We paused at the green by the obelisk (remains of the village cross) and had a cuppa.

The Obelisk in Harlaxton

Perhaps the most outstanding thing in Harlaxton is the Manor – a Victorian built house currently owned by the University of Evansville. The manor was built in the 1830’s by local businessman Gregory Gregory – the local pub is the Gregory Arms. The Manor opens to the public on certain days of the year and its definitely on my ‘must visit’ list.

Harlaxton Manor

Continuing through Harlaxton we reached Harlaxton Wharf on the Grantham Canal. We joined the towpath and headed for Denton Wharf.

The Grantham Canal

Harlaxton Wharf

Harlaxton Wharf was much quieter today than on another occasion!

We enjoyed a very peaceful walk along the towpath (meeting nobody) eventually reaching Denton Bridge.

Denton bridge

We crossed the bridge and took tracks / road to reach Denton reservoir. This reservoir was built specifically to supply water to the canal and its a lovely spot to sit and contemplate. We took another break here sat close to the water admiring the swans and geese. The clouds were gathering.

Denton reservoir

We took a walk around the perimeter of the reservoir and took a track leading back to Denton village. We had thoroughly enjoyed the walk. My favourite bit was the placid horses.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶