The idea of a long walk associated with the Well Dressing festival was conceived by Keith Gregson. In 1989 Keith, accompanied by his son Michael, David Whittaker and Mick Collier completed a 33 mile, mainly rural, circuit around the perimeter of Derby on the Saturday before the Well Dressing weekend.

The following year, the enterprise assumed the format which has continued since, with a chartered coach leaving Aston at 7.30 am and dropping walkers at the starting point to make their way back to Aston. On that occasion, the destination was Tissington, chosen as being a traditional home of Well Dressing, and 25 or so people returned the 30 miles to Aston, on the hottest day of the year, via the Tissington Trail, Ashbourne, the Bonnie Prince Charlie Way, Findern and Weston.

The following year, 2000, the walk commenced in Wirksworth, utilising a considerable length of the Midshires Way on the trek back to Aston.

In 2001, organisation of the walk passed to Robin Sedgwick. Foot and Mouth and footpath closures saw his intended route from Leicestershire cancelled, but as the footpaths nearest to Derby began to open up, a repeat of 1998’s Derby circuit was possible.

2002 and 2003 saw a slight reduction in the walk’s length to around 25 miles to try and widen it’s appeal. Both years used the Ivanhoe Way, 2002 using the Western half, finishing via Ticknall and Swarkestone, 2003 used the Eastern half, returning home via Melbourne and King’s Newton.

1998 Circuit of Derby

1999 from Tissington

2000 From Ashbourne

2001 Circuit of Derby.

2002 From Shackerstone (Leics)

2003 From Odstone (Leics.)

2004 From Cromford

2005 From Ashbourne

2006 Shirley to Aston

2008 Netherseal to Aston-on-Trent via Botany Bay

2009 The Eight Churches Walk - Hickling via Gotham City

A circular walk of approximately 31 miles around the City of Derby. The route is described beginning and ending at Aston-on-Trent though, of course it could be started at any point. The walk is mainly through open country and provides a surprisingly pleasant outing. Most of the walk, with the exception of Aston to Findern along the canal, will be found on the new OS Explorer 259 map.

Leave Aston via Long Wood to Weston, through the village to the church. At the church go through the gate on the right and follow the footpath left along the side of the field, then to the right at the end to exit onto the road. Turn left down the road to the car park at the bottom. Go round the right hand side of the Ukranian Club and so down to the canal. Cross over and then under the bridge to follow the canal for approximately five miles to Stenson. At Stenson cross the canal at the second bridge, 50 yards before the railway bridge over the canal, to continue along the right bank. Fifty yards beyond the railway bridge turn directly away from the canal along a track towards the new road (A50). At the fence go left, then under the road and left up the metal road. This soon degenerates to a track, which is followed in the general direction of Findern Church. Go round to the left of the church to the village green and shops.

Head due north via the main road (signposted Derby and Burton) towards Littleover and the A38. After approximately half a mile, at the junction on the right to Fields Farm, take the footpath diagonally across the field to cut a large corner, rejoining the road, which is now parallel to the A38. Cross the A38 at the roundabout then follow the minor road (Staker Lane) towards Mickleover. Once again take a short cut across the corner passing in front of a farmhouse. When the path meets the road, cross over and follow the path diagonally up to the right over the hill and then down under the bridge carrying the A516 (Hilton and Uttoxeter). Go straight on across the main road into “The Hollow”. Head up the hill, then left at the main road to pass the Mason's Arms on your left and the churchyard on your right. At the roundabout go right down Ladybank Road, then in about half a mile turn left into Greenside Court, in the direction indicated by the signpost for the public footpath towards Radbourne. Follow this footpath down to the old railway which is now seeing a new lease of life as a cycleway. Turn right and follow the railway track for approximately one mile to the old station at Mickleover where you pass through a style/gate to reach the main road in a few yards. Turn left over the road bridge, pass the “Great Northern” and continue to the road junction. Turn right and then, almost immediately, take the footpath to the left heading in the general direction of the water tower. Follow this path through the wood and past the tower to descend gently to the Ashbourne road to turn left and take sustenance at the “Munday Arms”.

Retrace your steps to walk past the front of the Mackworth Hotel, it's too posh for walkers anyway! Turn left into a short lane immediately. Continue into and along the left-hand side of a field down to a road and cottages. Cross the road slightly right and go down a gitty. Over the stile follow the side of the field, through another stile and then continue with the hedge on your right to a splendid bridge over Mackworth Brook. Continue in the same direction with the hedge on your right towards the farm buildings at Lower Vicarwood. Just after the pond veer diagonally right up the farm track. Where it meets another track coming down from the left, turn right and follow it for another mile to its junction with Kedleston Road. At this point you are on the way home!

Go right to the junction and turn left towards Quarndon. After about one quarter of a mile turn right turn into Old Vicarage Lane (FP sign to Allestree). Pass to the right of the gatepost for "12" and follow the grass to a stile. Cross both streams then go up the hill across the field towards a hedge bounding school playing fields. Stay this side of the hedge and follow it to the left round the edge of the field, which has several corners, leading eventually to houses and a gitty. Through the gitty and left at the road to a ``T'' junction where again you turn left, there is a telephone box on this corner. One hundred yards up the hill enter Allestree Park on the right and follow the path rightwards until you can see down the fairway through the park. Leave the path to follow the fairway down the hill, taking care with the golfers, especially the ones who proudly profess they can count to “four”. Towards the bottom of the hill go round the left-hand side of the obvious copse, across a path, and hence around the left-hand side of the lakes. Continue round the lakeside path to reach houses at a sharp corner of the lake. At this point go straight on, leaving the lake to exit the park onto a road which leads immediately left to the A6. Here, turn right up the hill for 100 yards, then left down Ford Lane. Follow this down to the river and across the bridge to join up with the A38 where you turn left towards the Little Chef at the traffic island.

Cross the Little Eaton road and the A38 at the roundabout, taking great care, then down the made up pathway to a fence with barbed wire. Go left to cross the fence at a stile, then keeping the stream on your left head towards Breadsall across fields. Enter the village over a bridge and along a gitty to a road. Go right, then left at the main road (shop) towards Morley. Go straight on when the main road turns left, again towards Morley, passing Broadside School and “Rivendell”. At the end of the houses on the right turn to the right up a bridleway which leads to “The Windmill” (Bass). From the pub go left and after 50 yards turn right up Porters Lane, then turn immediately left up the footpath signposted Morley Road.

At the houses either go left to the road which goes along the front of the houses or continue along the back of the houses for a hundred yards and then left to join the road. Follow this road (Silverbar Drive) to the T-junction and turn left. Do not enter the wood on the left, but continue through semi-precious stones (c.f. street names) to a T-junction with playing fields opposite, and the Springwood Leisure Centre down to the right. Go straight across the fields making for the road at the far side. Follow the road to the left then go right down Bainbridge Crescent. After 200 yards turn left onto a footpath and maintain direction along another footpath through an obvious grass area. At a junction follow the left branch up the hill to a road. Turn right down the road for 100 yards, and then take the footpath on the opposite side marked “Spondon”.

Follow this path over the hill and down to the footbridge. Over the bridge turn right and then veer diagonally left, along the right hand side of a ditch and then parallel to the hedge to a stile onto the road. Cross the road and continue in the same direction to another bridge, then up the hill to join a lane where you turn left. Follow the lane to a road and houses where you turn left to reach a main road. Cross over and walk up Lousie Greaves Lane for 200 yards to the allotments. Go down the gitty on the right to the road and follow this to the left. The road bends to the right with power lines on the left and eventually emerges onto a main road.

At the main road go left for approximately quarter of a mile passing shops on the left. Approximately 100 yards before the road takes a distinct left turn, leave the road opposite Wood Road down a snicket on the right leading to playing fields. At the pond bear right on a well-defined path to a stile. There is a path marked diagonally left from the stile but it is better to go straight down towards the trees for a hundred yards, then left for a hundred yards to join a bridleway. On many maps a farm is shown at the point where you join the bridleway, it no longer exists! Follow the track to the right under the power lines, then after 100 yards turn right at an oak tree. Follow the path in a straight line towards the A52. At another tree in a couple of hundred yards you reach a cross path where you face a choice:

1. Turn left and follow the path to the road which you follow to the right, leading over the A52 into the centre of Borrowash. At the centre cross the main road and continue in the same direction towards Elvaston Castle over the railway, mill leats and the river.

2. Continue in the same line and cross the A52 very carefully to continue in the same direction to the Borrowash-Spondon road (A6005).Twenty yards to the right on the opposite side there is a gitty running down the side of Borrowash House. Follow this with a wall on the right, over a stile onto a track. Turn left immediately over the humpback bridge, onto a pleasant track through trees with the railway and the river on your right. At the road turn right and follow it over the railway, mill leats and the river.

Both alternatives are the same distance (about a mile), the former avoids crossing the A52 which can be very busy with fast moving traffic and which is therefore recommended.

At the far side of the river bridge over the Derwent you are now back in South Derbyshire. Go down onto the riverbank and follow it downstream along a pleasant track for roughly a mile. The river flows under power lines then bends left to pass back under the lines. Roughly half way, at a large willow tree, just after two small plantations, walk directly away from the riverbank, keeping a hedge with the large willow on your left, for approximately 100 yards. Pass through the hedge and head diagonally right across the field to the right hand of two gates in the corner. Go through this gate, and then follow the edge of the next field towards a gateway with no gate. Cross the stile 10 yards to the right. Follow the hedge on the left and cross over it at another stile in 50 yards. Cross the field diagonally making for the houses to stiles leading over the bund and into a lane leading into Ambaston. Turn right opposite “60” and follow “Main Street” down through the village.

Continue past the right turn to Elvaston and at the left-angle bend go straight on through a gate along a bridle path. Pass a gravel pit lake on your right containing a wide variety of bird-life, then cross a conveyor belt via a hump-back bridge and follow the path up Bellington Hill and along past the gravel works. You can justifiably begin to feel excited at this point because the finish is now in sight. Suddenly the bridle path comes to an end at an old gate. Go through the gate (and replace it!) then slightly right to another gate which leads down to Bellington Farm. Go through a gate and round the right hand side of the barn and follow the lane through the farm buildings to the A6.

At the A6 turn right for 50 yards then take the footpath on the left, which leads across fields more or less directly, but not easily, towards the new A50. Cross a stream via a partly constructed bridge and continue in the same line to the stile in the corner of the field, still heading for the A50. Follow the tractor trail around the edge of the next field to the boundary of the A50 and along this boundary parallel to the A50 to reach a stile. In the next field it is better to follow the boundary rather than the faint possibility of a path through the rape to reach the steps leading up to the road bridge at Brickyard Plantation. Follow the road into Aston and congratulate yourself.

The walk commences in the Leicestershire village of Nailstone and, for the majority of it’s length, follows the eastern half of the Ivanhoe Way, passing through Bagworth, Stanton under Bardon, Whitwick, Griffydam and Worthington. We then leave this long distance path, and return to Aston via Melbourne and King’s Newton.

Two refreshment stops are envisaged; The Hare and Hounds at Thringstone and the Malt shovel at Worthington.

The walk is covered in it’s entirety on O.S.Explorer sheet 245, The National Forest.

Our route starts at the church in Nailstone. Cross the stile next to the “Leicestershire round, footpath to Bagworth, 2 miles” sign.

The path goes down the left side of the field and continues in the same line across several fields to a road.

Cross the road, over the stile and continue eastward, the path well trodden and waymarked until, after 1.25 miles a road is reached. Go left here, crossing over to use the footpath, and continue into Bagworth. Pass a turning to the left and continue until the road bends right. Here, on the left side of the road, a metal gate leads past a National Forest marker board.

The path beyond is at first vague and after 50 metres, forks. Take the left fork, passing to the left of the large bush 50 metres ahead. Descend the slope to the gate and stile to the left of the small pond. Cross the field heading towards the obvious red brick bridge in the distance. This allows you to pass under the railway, then immediately go right through a gate and follow the path, crossing a footbridge and then a stile. Go slightly right to where two obvious diverging paths run across a field of crops. Take the left of these and follow it to a junction with a line of pylons where the path goes slightly left and follows the right side of a hedge underneath the power line. The hedge finishes next to a pylon and the open field ahead is crossed by 2 paths. Take the one which goes diagonally right into the field corner. Cross the stile and enter a National Twiggery plantation. (Like that cathedral in Barcelona, the National Forest will be great when it is finished). Follow the left side of the field until, after 100 metres, just after passing under a power line, there is a gap in the array of infant oaks, and you can go diagonally right towards a yellow marker post. Cross the stile and descend to the road.

Cross the road and follow the Ivanhoe Way sign up the right side of the field to a new gate and stile. Diagonally left across the next field to a yellow marker post. Beyond, follow the right edge of the field along the back of a row of houses. Continue along the back of the houses until a hedge converges from the left and the path becomes vegetated . (When surveyed in June this was heavily nettled. If you happen to be a front runner, be prepared to find a stick and thrash a way through for the benefit of those who follow. Award yourself 3 hero points ! ). Beyond, the path becomes less vegetated and emerges from trees. Ahead, the path should ascend and cross an old and overgrown railway embankment, but it is easier to turn right and follow an alternative path to where it meets a road.

Cross the road, and follow the Ivanhoe Way signs down the unmade road. Upon reaching a T-junction with vistas of enormous dungheaps, cross the stile (yellow marker post) and follow the left track past the farm towards the next marker post visible in the distance. Continue in the same line to reach a junction with the A511.

Go left here to the roundabout. Go straight across this (Petrol stations with shops and toilets). You need to cross to the far side of the the road at some point and then, after passing an old chapel, turn right onto an unmade road with Ivanhoe Way signs heading towards the distant Bardon Hill with it’s enormous summit erection. Keep left where the track meets Rise Rocks Farm, then, round the back of the farm, descend left by a yellow marker post. Go down right side of field, Rabbits !, and then follow yellow markers into next field. Continue down this into the valley bottom. Kink left then right over a couple of stiles and then follow the right side of the field beyond, heading directly towards Bardon Hill. At top right corner of field, ignore the marker post and path on the right. Instead, go left, and after 25 metre take the gap in the hedge and the stile beyond. Up right side of field, past the end of the wood, then reach a second wood by a marker post, entering this by a stile and footbridge to reach a metalled road. Cross this diagonally right, go up the steps and cross the totally unexpected eyesore ( Beware, heavy plants crossing ! Ents!?!). Up the next set of steps and over the stile

At this point the more adventurous have the option of making the ascent of Bardon Hill. Continue on the obvious waymarked path straight ahead. On reaching the summit, a path to the right which joins a quarry road will enable the main route to be rejoined.

Go right along a tarmac path, somewhat vegetated at first to a junction with a quarry road. Cross this and continue to follow the path which skirts round the base of the wood.

A junction is eventually reached with quarry warning sign and 2 manhole covers. Go right, down the wide dirt track, leaving the wood behind you, following the right edge of the field, passing through trees (ignore left turn) and into the field beyond. Continue in the same line and pass through a metal gate into a housing estate. Follow the path and the road beyond, crossing the road at the T-junction to go down an alleyway to meet a main road. Cross over, go left, then turn right into Stamford Drive. Take the right turn into Warren Hills Primary School, turning left at the school gates to follow a path running along the back of a line of houses. The path reaches a road. Cross over and follow the signposted track to Whitwick.

Turn left down the hill and follow the road as it bends right. Continue to a T-junction (Leicester Road). Cross over and follow the signposted track.

At the next road, cross over and follow the road signposted to “Shepshed” for 300 metres. Turn into the wood on the left at the Ivanhoe Way sign. Follow the path through the wood. Ignore fork to left after 300m and after a further 700m,one to the right. Descend to the road and go left to the Hare and Hounds. Pedigree, Beer Garden, food from 12.00.

Leave the pub, go right at the junction and ascend the romantically named Dump Lane. At top of hill is general store (drinks, provisions etc.) Cross over, go to the left of the pub, and immediately go right into School Lane, follow this to it’s end and take the signposted Ivanhoe Way path. Continue in a straight line for 1000m. The exit from the last field is not clear: Head for a gap in the hedge, 50m to the right of where the power line crosses it.

Cross the road and take the signed path. This goes to the left of the old mine buildings. After passing through a wooded area on the valley floor, the path crosses a field to a stile with 2 diverging yellow arrows under an oak tree. Cross the stile, ignore the well trodden path straight on, and go right on an indistinct path through grass. This immediately forks: take the right hand option. This leads in 100 metres to a corrugated iron stable. Go to the left of this, then immediately right to pass behind it (yellow post and arrows). Cross stiles as the path runs behind houses. Cross the field beyond, and cross the stile next to the gate.

Cross the road, and over the stile. Ignore the obvious path straight ahead. Instead, go sharp right, aiming for a yellow marker post. Beyond, cross the next field to a road. Cross this and follow the path down the right side of the field. Follow the path through following fields, in same line, but curving left eventually. Reach a road, go right for 30m and cross. Through the gap in the hedge, the path beyond is indistinct, but runs up the right side of the field until a wide gap in the hedge is reached. Go through this. To the right is an open field entrance with a yellow marker post visible 100m distant. Ignore this, and instead go down the right hand side of the field to the left, heading for a solitary tree. Beware !! 80m or so beyond the tree is a deep rabbit hole in the path, concealed by vegetation. It nearly did for me !

As the hedge bends left, cross the stile and go down the left side of the field to an exit in the left hand corner to a road. Cross over, go right and, just before the “Griffydam” sign, cross the stile on the left (Ivanhoe Way, Gelsmoor). The path is indistinct and vegetated at first. Descend the hill, keeping to the left of the wooden building and the short hedge beyond, to cross a stile by a marker post to where the path becomes better trodden, passing behind an old works. (Ferguson T20 or Reliant Scimitar restoration project available). Continue to a stile, and go over this, going diagonally right to a marker post. Cross a footbridge; Ignore the path running diagonally right to a stile. Our route runs directly ahead, heading for a stile on the opposite side of the field. This lies in line with the tallest tree to the left of the red brick building straight ahead.

Having, presumably, found the stile, cross the farm track, go through the gate and across the field to a yellow marker post. Cross the stile in the new fence and make for the marker post on the right side of the field ahead. Cross the stile and go down the right side of the field to a marker. Go sharp left here, crossing the field towards a distant white house and a junction with a road.

Cross road, go right, and take path signposted to Worthington. The path descends into the valley bottom, kinks right slightly, then ascends the hill on the other side, thereafter continuing in a straight line towards Worthington. A junction with a road is reached and 2 options present themselves; Decision time !!

Cross the road and continue in the same line across the next field. A stile gives access to a tarmac path leading into a housing estate. Go left, and after 100m, left again onto a tarmac path. This leads to a road. Keep left to a crossroad and go straight across.

Turn right, down the road and, after a sharp left turn it leads to the Malt Shovel and liquid refreshment. Enjoy. Leave pub, go right and follow main street. Curve sharply left into Church street, pass the church and reach a cross roads. Go right in a wobbly fashion. You may even meet some parched fellow travellers who followed option 1. Gloat!

Whichever option you have chosen to follow, you should end up in Breedon Lane. After 50m go left over a stile and follow the path which leads to a subterranean traverse of the A42 and the B587. Go right for 200m to the white fence which marks the entrance to Staunton Lodge Farm. Follow the farm road, pass to the right of the buildings, and cross the yard, Pass through the gateway and cross the stile opposite and a second stile beyond. The path cuts across the field heading for the enormous pile of bales at the right end of the distant wood. Cross stile, go to the right of the bales and take the obvious path across the path across the field of oilseed rape. Continue in the same line to a road junction.

Go right along the road, Breedon church visible in the far distance, until, a couple of hundred metres after passing over a blind summit, there is a yellow marker post and white footprint sign on the left. Cross stile, cross the field and at other side, descend to right then go up to bottom corner of a wood. Path runs along bottom edge of wood, makes a junction with a more substantial track, then runs in the same line, through fields to reach the Melbourne Pool. Keep to right of pool, and follow road, passing church to cross roads. Over this and the continue into Market Place.

Keep straight ahead, and at T junction, keep right. After 300m turn left into Jawbone Lane.

Follow this to a crossroads, go straight over and descend the hill to where it is possible to drop off left and descend to the old railway line. Follow this, crossing the Trent on the old railway viaduct, then drop off left to the canal towpath. Go under the old railway bridge and follow the towpath for 400metres to a metal footbridge. Cross this and ascend the steep little path on the other side. Skirt round the buildings and follow the road up the hill. At the top of the hill, go right onto a footpath. Follow this to a gate,following the road beyond to meet the main road in Weston. Go right, pass the Plough ,new houses , a field and a bungalow, then go right down the farm track. On reaching Long Wood, follow the path through it into the Willow Park estate. Go right and follow the road down past Aston Hall, and thus through the churchyard to the Malt Shovel.

· 2 cars will be in support, carrying walker’s belongings and supplying drinks, first aid, TLC and, if needed, a pick up.

· It is hoped that all walkers will be sponsored for Rainbows Children’s Hospice

· All walkers are provided with a written route description and contact details for the support cars. You can therefore cover the distance as quickly, or as slowly as you like.

· The plan for the day will include at least one obligatory stop at a hostelry for refreshment (and several optional ones – it’s all about having a good day out after all !!)

Robin Sedgwick

Rainbows sponsorship forms available nearer the date from Robin and also from the Malt Shovel.

The walk marks the beginning of the welldressing festival. The following day sees the start of the main welldressing which takes place in the Scout Hut, though of course there will be many other groups beavering away in other corners of the village.

All the proceeds from the sponsored walk go towards the charities adopted by the welldressing group, which this year are “Rainbows” and the “Air Ambulance”.

If you would like to join in then please obtain a sponsor form; either from me, one of the village pubs, or from the Malt Shovel – Shardlow. You don’t have to raise sponsorship, but the form ensures a lift on the bus to Ashbourne on the Saturday morning (8am sharp from the telephone box by the church). Each form is numbered, and you will be expected to record your number at various points on the way so that we can keep track of everyone – and raise the Air Ambulance if necessary!!!

A description of the walk will be available before the event; it is nearly complete, so I can probably answer enquiries.

The walk leaves the market town of Ashbourne via a short but steep climb. It then takes on a distinctly rural atmosphere to pass through some of Derbyshire's best-kept villages and the parks of Osmaston and Shirley. After a lunch break in the Black Cow at Lees, we take to farmland and the maze of footpaths leading to Mickleover where the outskirts of Derby begin to show themselves. Finally we pass through Findern to complete the walk along the Trent Valley via the Trent and Mersey canal, then the Trent itself, with a mandatory break at the Crewe and Harpur at Swarkstone. The majority of the walk follows the “Bonny Prince Charles Way”.

Remember, it’s a walk, do it at your own comfortable pace, it doesn’t matter how long you take. It is a long way, and for most it will be challenging. There will be support along the way, and transport home if necessary. The most important thing is for everyone to have an enjoyable day.

Leave the market square via “Ye Olde Vaults” to turn right along St. John's Street. Go through the traffic lights heading towards the church and turn left after the Methodist Church down Station Road. Follow Station Road to the T-junction, turn left and then immediately cross the road to head up North Leys. Take the path directly up steps and round the top of the steep terrace to find yourself instantly out of town, cross the field heading just right of the radio mast and then follow the track to the road. Follow Wyaston Road to the right across the roundabout to pass the Hilltop Infant and Nursery School, after which turn left into Willow Meadow Road and follow this downhill into Chestnut Drive. A made-up path gives access between the houses at the bottom and takes you over the stream and hence up the field to steps leading down to the Ashbourne by-pass.

Cross the road CAREFULLY and continue up the bank into a caravan site. Head straight across the site, passing the shop and the Outside Inn on your left, along the track in front heading for a gate with a curious square concrete building on its right. Go through the stile at the gate and straight on across the field. At the edge of the wood cross over a stile and bridge to follow the right side of the wood and reach a track which leads to Blake House over to the right. Cross this track into another field and follow the hedge on the left until the path takes you into the right hand side of a plantation. On leaving the plantation, head for the left edge of the wood in front and then, keeping the trees immediately on your right, continue to a stile leading to the road. Follow the road into Osmaston, passing the Church, village Hall and the Shoulder of Mutton.

Pass the village pond on its left and take the centre track marked “Bridle-way to Shirley”. Follow this for approximately two miles through Osmaston and Shirley Parks, past the old sawmill and lakes and stroll down the main street in Shirley. Pass the Saracen's Head if you can. If not, pause a while, then continue down the road to take the right fork towards Rodsley and Yeavely. In approximately a quarter of a mile take a left turn along a minor road just before a large beech tree and opposite a footpath on the right. Follow this road, keeping straight on when in doubt. It gradually deteriorates into a bridle-way, which can be very wet and muddy, but is easy to follow. Whenever paths appear go straight on following the bridle-way (across two footpaths) until it leads to the road coming down from Longford Church on the right. Follow this road to the left to reach the main road and the welcome sight of the Ostrich over to the left. Turn left along the road for a quarter of a mile to pass the Ostrich and its Rock & Blues Festival.

Follow the road for a further quarter of a mile to a stile on the right. Cross this into the field and go diagonally up the hill to a double stile in its top left corner. Cross the stile into the next field and continue with the hedge on your left. Over the next stile a track comes up from Longford. Cross this track and take the stile to the left leading away from Longford into a large field. Head to the left of the house on the skyline, passing through an obvious gap in the hedge to the left of the leftmost of two large trees in the dip. Up the hill aim for the large ash tree left of Crowtrees Farm to a stile and the road.

Cross the road and follow the large track to turn left at propane tanks and continue between the hedge on your left and the large farm building on your right. Follow the hedge down the dip, and then continue straight ahead across the field uphill to meet a lane at a sharp corner. (It is possible to follow the track to the left from the bottom of the dip: this brings you to a gate in 200 yards and a lane leading up the hill to the right. This lane meets the path at the top of the hill – 200 yards.) Go through the gate opposite and then keeping to the hedge on your left descend to cross a small bridge/stile. Head straight on towards the footpath signpost on Thurvaston Lane.

Cross the lane and head just to the right of the oak in the middle of the field and continue in the same direction. Contour gently to the right, over a couple of stiles, the first is between large beech and oak trees, to meet the road at a gate fifty yards below farm buildings up to the right. Turn left down the lane and then, almost immediately, climb over the stile on the right and follow the vague depression down to a hidden bridge over the stream. (This area was once an ancient settlement.) Once across the stream keep to the left of a fallen tree and make for an obvious stile over a wire fence. Turn right and follow the fence down through the gate in the hollow and keep right to the top of the next field. Take the stile in the corner and a second stile immediately on the left. From here head in a straight line towards the right end of the village on the skyline, first keeping to the left of the rough ground and then crossing Nunsclough Brook via a bridge. Continue up the hill, keeping to the right to a stile in the top corner of the field and hence to the Green at Lees and refreshment at the Black Cow.

On leaving the Black Cow turn left along the Radbourne road to pass the Green and the telephone box on your right. After the last house on the right enter the field over a stile. Follow the field perimeter keeping close to the hedge on your left until you reach a stile beside a rusty gate at its far end. Cross the stile and go straight ahead to pass between two clumps of trees avoiding the obvious gully to the left as this is swampy! On reaching the trees head downhill to the right of the small shelter (covering a pump). Pass to the right of this heading towards the obvious pylon across the valley through a gap in the old hedgerow. Now head for the gate and footbridge in the bottom right hand corner of the field. The bridge has BPC way-mark signs on it. Keep the stream on your left through the way-marked stile, then after a few yards go through the hedge and follow the stream for another 100 yards to cross another footbridge and stile into a large field. Head uphill keeping just right of the pylon aiming for a stile in line with an old battered oak, and left of a healthier specimen. Cross the footbridge and pass right of the hollow oak on the way to another tall oak with a prominent top at the field boundary. (Radbourne Hall, or its chimneys in summer, can be seen on the hill behind it.) Cross the footbridge and stile and the next field, keeping the hall in front of you, aiming for a stile in the fence to the left of a small spinney of young trees. Having crossed this stile pass by the left end of the group of mature trees, over another footbridge in the fence and head for the way-marked footpath sign and stile in the hedge alongside the lane in front. Turn left and walk along the lane towards Radbourne.

At the T-junction turn right and follow the road into Radbourne village passing Park Farm before turning right along the track to the Parish Church (signpost). The church is small so you can't actually see it until you've passed to the right of a large house. Keeping the church on your left follow home-made footpath signs through the Iron Gate, turn left over the gated bridge and pass into the grounds of Radbourne Hall. Follow the grass track up the hill. Half-way up the hill look out for the lonely signpost leading you off to the left out of the gully, to head for the left side of the plantation of trees on the hilltop. Keep the plantation fence on your right until reaching a gate in the bottom right hand corner of the field (very boggy in March!). Cross footbridge and road to follow a footpath parallel to the hedgerow across fields and stiles until reaching the left side of the fir plantation (Black Wood). Cross the stile and go straight on over a footbridge to head up the slope to the old railway line.

Beyond the old railway continue up the hill to reach civilisation at Greenside Court, which leads quickly to a main road. Turn right and follow Ladybank Road to the roundabout. Turn left into Mickleover, passing the church on your left and the Mason's Arms on your right and then turn right down to “The Hollow” – if you’ve been in the Mason’s you may wallow! At the bottom go straight on under the bridge, and then take the footpath diagonally right up the hill, almost parallel to the road. Don’t be fooled by the signpost leading off to the right. Over the stile at the top of the hill head for the cooling towers to a stile 50 yards from the bottom corner of the field and then diagonally into the corner of the next field towards the cream coloured farm house. Cross the road and into the field towards a little old shed right of the farmhouse and then, via another path, cross the small field to the road just right of the red brick buildings and left of an oak tree. Turn left and follow the road with caution to the roundabout and continue towards Findern. Pass the nurseries to a footpath left “Turnpike Way”, which cuts off a large corner and rejoins the Findern road. Turn left and into the village.

Go round to the right of the church and down the lane, which degenerates, to a track between allotments and overgrown gardens. Over the hill the track turns into a road again and a tunnel under the new road (A50) reveals itself. Go under this, turn left and almost immediately right down a track towards the canal.

Turn left along the canal bank and follow it under the railway bridge to the next bridge. Here you cross over the canal and proceed along the other bank to Stenson Bubble. From Stenson continue along the canal for approximately one and a half miles to Deepdale Bridge (No 17).

Immediately under this bridge turn right and pass a yellow barrier to cross over the railway bridge. At the far end of the bridge descend the steps on the left and walk alongside the railway for one field. Then go diagonally right to a stile left of the power line post and follow the hedge on your left to another stile, after which head for the gate. Turn right on the road and then left along the footpath beside the main road.

In 150 yards, by the last lamp post, cross the road and enter the field over a stile (Footpath sign and gate). The path follows the field boundary on the right to pass over a stream, and then veers left to a stile in front of a small bungalow – optimistically named “Hill View”. Over the stile turn left on the public footpath to Swarkestone. Cross a drive (footpath sign) then left of Trent House, through a strange hamlet, to emerge suddenly by the river. Follow the path left down the riverside. After the first large field, head left across the next very large field to follow the edge of a wood bounding its left side. It is possible to follow the river bank in the event of man-eating crops or crocodiles, but it is longer. Twenty yards right of the far corner of this field cross a stile, then follow the path towards the bridge (take particular notice of this view) until a leylandii-lined “gitty” leads left into the village. Turn right to the Crewe and Harpur where you should take sustenance and examine the monument in the garden.

Cross the road carefully onto the riverside path. Here you can take the path to the left, or better, continue along the riverside and turn left towards the church. Either way, go round to the left of the church and graveyard to a stile in a corner. Over the stile follow the wall, then a fence, on your right to meet a farm track. Follow the track briefly, then keep alongside the “folly” wall to go through an old gateway. Now keep more or less straight ahead approximately 20 yards from the right hand side of the field to a concrete bridge. Over the bridge head for the copse and the canal bridge ahead, crossing the first field slightly leftwards and the second one obviously so, heading eventually to the Massey’s canal bridge

Turn right along the canal side until, having passed under the railway bridges, you reach a small footbridge leading to the Ukrainian Club. Take this and go round to the left of the club and follow the road to a footpath leading round the right hand side of a field with horses towards the church. Pass the church and head on through the village until you can turn right down to Long Wood and home via Aston Hall. Look forward to a pint and relaxation!

This is the complement to last years Asbourne walk. It starts a little closer to home, but takes a longer route round the North side of Derby. First we work our way across rolling hills and parkland to Duffield, then up the memorable Duffield Bank, descend to Little Eaton, up again to Horsley and then a pause for lunch at The White Hart in Stanley. After lunch we head for Dale with its Abbey and through Risley Park with fine views over the Trent Valley. From Risley the Derwent floodplain provides a gentle finale via Draycott, Great Wilne and Shardlow where we shall pause for meditation with our friends from the Malt Shovel. There remains a gentle stagger along the canal to a well deserved pint (or two) in Aston.

The route follows the “Centenary Way” and the “Mid Shires Way” for much of its 27½ miles and passes through a variety of countryside with some excellent scenery.

From the Saracen's Head continue down the road to take the right fork towards Rodsley and Yeavely. In approximately ¼ mile take a left turn along a minor road just before a large ash tree and opposite a footpath on the right. In a further ¼ mile take the footpath left and head for the right end of a clump of bushes, keeping more or less parallel to the hedge on the right. Continue past the bushes to a stile in the left corner of the field, then continue to a bridge after which head for the right edge of the plantation. Stay in the field alongside the road to cross another little bridge and cross the road at finger posts on the bend. Head for the gap in the hedge to the left of the plantation, then in the same direction up the hill, aim for the leftmost visible chimney pots in Ednaston Village, passing the impressive hall on your left.

At the road go left and follow it round the right hand bend. In 250 yards the road turns sharply left, at which point leave it to continue straight on down the lane beside fine old barns. Continue in the same direction down fields to a more obvious path which leads across the gravel track and over Brailsford Brook. Follow the path which leads up to, and through, the churchyard (floating on a cloud of daffodils in April).

On leaving the church head diagonally left up the hill in the direction of a large house partially obscured by a large tree. Beyond the tree the path veers right heading towards a roof with two chimneys. On approaching “two chimneys” the path heads towards an obvious tree 100 yards right with a long low farm building 100 yards to its right. Pass through a stile under the right of the tree and go diagonally across the small pasture containing stables, hens and a duck pond to emerge onto the A52. Turn right down the road.

Cross the A52 (CAREFULLY) to turn left up Alley Walk, opposite “Clarke Interiors” and “Brailsford Stores” – sausage rolls, pies, chocolate etc. In 100 yards pass the “Senior Citizens’ Club” bench with its fine view (?!) and in ten yards turn right onto the marked footpath and follow it. When you emerge into the field go straight on up the hill and pass to the right of a small building hidden in a small clump of trees. Head for a large beech tree with a large gatepost at its foot ¼ of a mile away keeping right of the trees, then continue in the same direction towards a radio mast left of the wood. At the mast turn left down the track and in 50 yards turn right to follow a well used path over fields. Here you gain a first view of Weston Underwood nestling under the hill in front. Mugginton with its impressive church (and green house roof!) is the village over to the left. The path descends to trees and a bridge over a stream, after which head gently uphill aiming 100yds right of the tall oak, then through undergrowth to enter the next field which is followed down its left bounding hedge and leads eventually to a road with Mercaston Hall and farm down to the right.

Cross the road and head slightly left over the field to reach a stile leading to a fenced track heading in the same direction. Where the track crosses the stream go through the stile, opposite left, to continue close to the track but on the opposite side of the fence. At the end of the fence cross another stream via a footbridge and then go diagonally right across the field, more directly across the second smaller field and then follow the line of hawthorns down to a gate and footbridge. Head for the crest of the rounded hill, then slightly right, and so to the cross-roads in Weston-Underwood.

From the crossroads in “VestandUnderpants” head towards Windley up Burland Green Lane. Twenty yards beyond the de-restriction signs fork right up the hill track via a broken gate and stile. At the top of the hill make for the right hand side of the conifer plantation ½ mile ahead and then down to a bridge and track which runs in a straight line below the plantation. (To the right there are excellent views of Kedleston Hall and Park with Derby beyond). Follow the path along the fence 50 yards below the wood and when the fence ends go through a gate and continue across the field to a stile just right of the lonely oak. Cross the stile and go down right of the hedge. In 150 yards cross the stile on the left to head diagonally across the large field towards an obvious lane ½ a mile away. At the bottom of the field cross the bridge and head diagonally up the other side to join the aforementioned lane via a metal gate. Follow the track until it turns sharply left, and then take the path slightly rightwards leading along the right side of the hedge. Then continue diagonally across the field to its far left corner to emerge onto a road 100 yards before the farm on the right.

Turn right at Woodfall Lane and follow the road for ⅓ mile to turn left 50 yards past the large oak tree on the left of the road. Follow the left side of the field to a latched gate and then diagonally right to cross a stile and pass the right hand end of the copse. Follow in the same direction to the field gate (white cap on gatepost), cross the stile and continue to cross over the obvious track.

Head down the grassy hillside left of the trees towards Duffield. At this point we are taking a short cut away from the “Centenary Way” which follows the track to the left. Continue down the left side of the fence and then to a stile left of the oak tree. Continue downhill with the old intermittent hedgerow on your left, making for the left side of the gap between the two splendid red-brick houses to emerge onto the Wirksworth road.

TAKE GREAT CARE HERE. Every other car is a BMW with a would-be Schumacher at the wheel. Cross carefully to the narrow footpath over to the left.

Follow this path to the road, turn right and follow the road round to the left, then right at the T junction. Pass the shops on your left and turn immediately left down the footpath which takes you over an old mill leat and the river Ecclesbourne. Follow the river down to the right, passing the old fire station, to turn right at the road, right again down Tamworth Street to re-cross the river and so to the A6 in Duffield.

Head south and at the first field on the left take the footpath heading towards the church. This takes you under the road bridge alongside the railway. Cross the railway via the footbridge

From the cross take the footpath across the field heading towards the Bridge Inn and arrive there via the splendid old bridge over the Derwent. Pass the inn and head up the hill under the fine copper beech trees. In 300 yards turn left round the side of "The Gatehouse" and continue to the end of the terraced houses where a bridleway(!?) leads directly up the hill via a series of large wooden steps (enjoy!). At the top take the footpath through the hollies and immediately left to follow them and the continuation hedge along the flat (thank goodness!) fields. The footpath follows the right side of this hedge, though there is a bridleway on the opposite side, which is often muddy. Across to the left can be seen Little Farley's wood and ahead, Eaton Park Wood. The footpath, and the hedge, leads eventually (a good half-mile) down a narrowing field and into Eaton Park wood at a stile (keep to the hedge on the left). Turn right down the track, which becomes Whitaker Lane and leads to the main road. Turn left past the Bell and Harp (joke). You may like to stop for elevenses here!

Continue for 300 yards to turn right down the far side of a cottage at the Coxbench sign. Cross the old railway, a stream and the Alfreton Road, following a path which then zigzags under the A38. After the zag go through the gate and turn left up the side of the field to reach a metalled track leading up into the wood. Follow this, past a footpath for scouts only, and take the right fork up the hill towards the gate with rocks in front and hence to the golf course at the top. In a few yards a track crosses from the left and onto the golf course, follow this along a line of trees and a wall across the golf course, keeping the wall first on the right and then on the left to join the road at a stile.

Turn left along the road for a quarter of a mile to a small terrace of cottages on the left. Opposite the last of these turn right through a stile to follow a path which follows the line of trees and then veers left to descend to a road at a telephone box.

Cross the road and continue up Morley Almshouses Lane. Pass the almshouses and, where the road curves to the right at a wooden telegraph pole, go through the gate on the left and follow the track rightwards. The track goes round the edge of the field to the obvious copse but you can take the direct shortcut. Follow this track towards the fine spire of St. Matthews Church at Morley. Pass the Morley Mound with its moat (origin unknown, any ideas?) and leave the track just before the farm/junk yard to meet the A608 over to the right.

Cross over carefully and go down the narrow road past the church. When the road bends to the right continue straight down Church lane, which gradually deteriorates to a track and leads to a gate. Go through the gate and then keep left of the trees and hedge to head down to the stream and cross it, either by the ford (slippery) or over the bridge. Follow the bridle way to the road and turn right. In 300yds the Mid Shires Way takes the footpath on the right. IGNORE this and continue down the road, taking the right fork down Morley Lane to the White Hart Inn for a well earned rest and a drink or two.

From the White Hart at Stanley head left along the main road towards West Hallam and look for a footpath to the right after 100yds, immediately before the prominent house (Stanley Hall Farm). Follow the path straight across the field to a bridge and the road. Cross the road and head up the field making towards the left side of farm buildings and a stile by the large oak. Over the stile bear gently left to follow a shallow depression towards the top left corner of the field. Cross the bridge/stile in the corner and then follow the wire fence to a gate. Now keep to the right edge of the field through two gates where the footpath becomes a wide track. Follow the track to the top of the hill and then sharp left towards the farm. On reaching the farm make another sharp turn left and then, opposite the stile on the left, bear right through the farm complex to pass Hollies Barn and Hollies Lodge. Stroll pleasantly along the drive to pass the inevitable farm scrap yard before reaching the main road.

Turn left along the road and cross it carefully to a stile/gate on the right opposite “The Flourish”. Follow the path gently down the valley in the direction of the prominent Tudor house. Eventually the field narrows to a track and shortly a path branches down to a track. Follow this into the village and follow the road and then gravel path to pass the Tudor house which used to be both Inn and Church with internal connecting door – I wonder it never caught on! Behind the “ChInn” turn left past stables for both horses and cars and continue along the foot of the hillside under the hermit's cave. Through the gate to follow the track in the same line, then gently round to the right to a stile next to a lay-by on Kingfisher Lane.

Turn right up the hill past the lay-by, taking care with traffic along the narrow lane, especially at the top of the hill. Follow the lane turning sharply left at Sandiacre Lodge along No Man’s Lane for a further ⅓ mile to a prominent footpath sign to the right. Take this path (No 15) and keep to the hedge on your right through two fields where you cross a track leading to stables on the right. Continue across the field towards the left side of the farm buildings through a caravan site. Pass immediately left of the farm then down the track opposite (FP 15) but as the track veers right go straight on down the footpath left of the hedge, heading towards Church Wilne Reservoir. Cross the stream and diagonally up the hill (it’s the last one!) with the hill-top house to your left to meet a farm track. Here you are spoilt for choice, but go down the track (FP 15) towards the power station, with fine views of Nottingham City to your left, the Trent Valley in front and, if you know where to look – Aston and the end of the walk to your right. In ¾ mile the track meets the main road opposite the "Risley Park Hotel”, formerly the "Blue Ball".

Take the minor road down the left side of the pub (signpost for Breaston). Pass under the A52 and take the footpath across the cricket field opposite the first of the houses.

This leads to a stile roughly 50 yards from the road opposite the last of the houses. Continue in the same line across three fields, heading in the direction of the airport control tower visible on the skyline. Cross the track and head for the wooden post at the end of the power cables, then follow the path which eventually veers right up the hill to pass to the right of Cottage Farm with its boat, caravan and inevitable pile of old tyres. Beyond the farm, at a gate on the left, go right for 50 yards and then head for the Victoria Mills at Draycott following the path diagonally across fields.

At a fenced track (Sustrans) a path leads temptingly onwards towards houses, don't take this; instead turn right along the track to a small coppice. Take the footpath left through the trees and head towards the clock tower, eventually entering a large field at its corner. Here the path goes diagonally across the field heading toward a prominent mill chimney to the right of the clock tower and reaches a road. At the road turn left over the railway and alongside the mill/housing development on the left. At the main road turn right and then take a left turn down Lodge Street just before the "Coach and Horses". After about 100yds the road bends sharply right and becomes South Street. Do not turn the bend; instead go straight on down the jitty (footpath sign) to the left of the obvious gable. Follow the footpath across fields until it meets the road by the river. Turn left and follow this road to Church Wilne, enjoying views of the river and St Chad's water with its abundance of bird life. Just past the church take a shortcut left which rejoins the road shortly. After the lay-by cross the river via the footbridge and continue along the footpath to the obvious farm. At the farm turn left along the lane and follow this for half a mile, through the village of Great Wilne, to the canal. Before the canal turn right for sustenance at the alternative Malt Shovel and drinks with the Shardlow faithful.

From the Malt Shovel, cross the canal and then follow the canal bank to Acre Lane. Turn right over the canal and at the end of Acre Lane take the track over the fields to Aston, and a celebration pint (or two).

This year’s walk is about 23 miles long and starts in Netherseal in the very south of the county. The first half of the walk takes us across rolling countryside passing between Burton-on-Trent and Swadlincote and onto Repton (the capital of Mercia) for lunch. This part of the route passes many recently planted woods which are part of the National Forest but there is little to show of the areas coal mining past. After lunch the second half of the walk takes you across more familiar ground taking you through lots of small villages along the way. Two notable features of the walk are number of country houses you pass along the way and the fact you are never far from the river Trent with many views along its valley.

The entire route is covered by the OS map for the National Forest (Explorer 245).

The walk starts at St Peter’s church which was built in the 19^th century but stands on the site of a 13^th century church. Sir Nigel Gresley, the engineer who designed the locomotive The Mallard is buried in the cemetery. The Mallard set the land speed record in 1938 when it achieved 126 mph.

With the church on your RHS follow the main street through the village passing the school, village hall, two pubs and the Post Office. The sports club is on your LHS on the edge of the village. At the far end of the fence/hedge which runs in front of the sports club is a gate into the sports field with a footpath marker/finger post. Pass through the gate. With the hedge on your RHS follow it until you reach a large gap in the hedge (¾ of the way up the playing field). There isn’t anything marking the exit from the playing field but once you have negotiated the small ditch and bank there is a well walked path on the top. Proceed along the path with the hedge now on your LHS. When the hedge turns left you need to leave the hedge and continue in the same direction across the field to the hedge on the other side, through the gap in the hedge, again continuing in the same direction as before. You are now cutting diagonally across this field heading towards a double garage. Upon reaching the road cross it carefully.

Take the path marked by the finger post, with the garages and lodge house on your LHS follow the fence passing in front of Grangewood Hall [built about 1821 for Captain Thomas Mowbray]. Upon reaching the road cross it carefully to the finger post opposite, pass through the gate and walk up the drive. After about 100 Yds the path bears left, follow it with the woods on your LHS for a good ½ mile, crossing a stile, passing through two fences, crossing another stile and another gap in a fence until you reach a stile on your LHS and a sign on the other side denoting “Top Wood”. Cross this stile and take the right hand path as per the direction of the “Best Kept Village Walk” marker arrow on the stile. Ignore any paths left or right and carry straight on until you reach the stile at the gate adjacent to Woodridge Barn. Cross the stile and follow the track, passing Park Farm, until you reach the lane. Carefully turn left into the lane, after a few yards turn right through a gate into Penguin Wood at Botany Bay.

Head straight across the field to a large gap in the hedge with a stile. Pass through the gap and bear right and with hedge on your RHS follow path to a wooden bridge in the corner of the field. Follow path straight across the middle of the field passing between two large trees. In the centre of the field turn right at the cross roads of paths next to two more large trees. Head up the field with the large grey farm buildings on your LHS. At the top of the field head straight through the gate (avoid the stile as it is not safe), with a small pond on your LHS. With the hedge and farm on your RHS walk to the corner of the field but DO NOT leave the field at this point; instead turn left diagonally back across the same field following the obvious path.

Carefully cross the road and over the stile. Follow the path in the direction indicated by the finger post (covered in Ivy), diagonally left towards the hedge/trees. Pass through the metal gate in the corner. Turn right and carefully walk along the road to Caldwell village. [Caldwell Hall built in 1678 has been a special school since the 1970s]

*** CHECKPOINT 1 (Grid Ref: SK 255172) Caldwell Hall (Pegasus School), Caldwell. Total distance covered 4 1/2 miles. ETA 10:30***

After the checkpoint carry on down the road for 50 Yds to the cross roads (with post box). Turn right and carefully follow the lane for nearly a mile to the end. [Along the lane you will get good views of Burton-on-Trent and the red logo of the Coors brewery. Straight ahead you can see the water tower at Waterloo Mount, Winshill].

At the T junction carefully turn left along the grass verge for 100 Yds until you reach the footpath on your RHS. Take the path across the field to the stile in the opposite left hand corner, at the left hand end of a tall Conifer hedge. Turn right along the track, cross the next stile and continue in the same direction to the stile in the right hand corner of the field. Cross two stiles and very carefully cross the railway tracks and the stile on the other side. Bear slightly left across the field to the rusty gate and rickety fence. Head for the gap in the embankment lined with blue bricks (ruined railway bridge). On the other side of the embankment take the first stile, then the stile on your LHS. Cross the field bearing right to the gap in the hedge (five bar gate). Follow the track for 20 Yds looking for a gap in the wire fence on your RHS (this gap is marked by four fence posts designed to keep the livestock in – a squeeze stile).

Head across the field towards the smaller house to the right of the large farmhouse, passing through two squeeze stiles and three kissing gates en route. When you reach a labyrinth of gates, turn right along the concrete track. Ignoring the finger post on your right, follow the track with a house on your LHS to the busy A444. Very carefully cross the road into Piddocks Road opposite. Carefully head along the road until you reach the sign for the Care Home.

*** CHECKPOINT 2 (Grid Ref: SK 266205) Stanton Manor (Residential Care Home), Stanton. Total distance covered 7 miles. ETA 11:20 ***

After the checkpoint carry on through the metal gate/stile and follow the track with the allotments on your LHS. Ignore the turning to a small cottage on the right. Instead carry straight through the metal gate/stile in front of you. Where the track bends to the right you need to follow the path straight ahead into the field and on to the stile in the wooden fence a little distance away and then straight across the next field to a metal gate/wooden stile. Carry straight on again and at the next set of gates perpendicular to each other, you need to end up continuing in the same direction as before but with the (wire) fence on your RHS. After a couple of hundred yards you need to dog leg to the left around the wooden fence in front of you, following the marker arrows crossing the two stiles in front of an impressive house.

[This is Brizlincote Hall farm which is some 350 years old and its unusual roof is of Flemish influence. Brizlincote is Saxon for “clearing in the forest”].

The track becomes a metalised drive which you follow for ½ mile until you reach the busy A511. Turn left along the pavement for a few yards and then very carefully cross the road into Bretby Lane. Go straight over at the traffic island into Empire Road, take the pavement on the RHS down the hill turning right into Kestrel Way and follow it as it bends round to the bottom of the hill. At the T junction turn right and then immediately left after the last house on your LHS (No. 81). Follow the path as it passes along the bottoms of the adjacent gardens for approx ¼ mile firstly in a jitty and then open field. The path ends down a slope into a very pointed corner of the field. Cross the railway sleepers over the stream and turn right up the tarmac drive to the residential home.

*** CHECKPOINT 3 (Grid Ref: SK 272238) Mount Pleasant Luxury Residence for the Elderly, Winshill.

At the top of the drive go through the kissing gate and follow the path with the hedge on your RHS crossing four stiles. After the path passes between hedge and fence for 30 Yds bear left at the end of the wooden fence. Follow the hedge on your LHS [over which you can see the Toyota factory in the distance]. Continue to the metal gate/stile and cross over into the field and follow the track heading towards the cooling towers at Willington.

Carefully cross the lane and take the path opposite with the hedge on your LHS and the cooling towers still in front of you. Cross over the next stile at a small copse of Oaks, follow the marker arrows and head up a slight incline to a stile in the corner of a hedge. Carry straight on along a grassy path over looking a large garden and onto a track which continues in the same direction until you reach a T junction of tracks. Ignore the stile in front of you, instead turn right and follow the track crossing three stiles. At the third stile (in the corner of the field next to some ramshackled farm buildings) ignore the path to the left and carry on down the track with the farm house on your RHS. The track eventually turns into a lane (Well Lane) with some impressive houses on it. At the cross road turn left into High Street and walk the pavement for 100 Yds to the pub and a well deserved break.

[You are now over half way along your journey. Repton has many fine buildings; some are connected with the famous school including Repton Hall. The church was the burial place of the Mercian Kings and dates from around 750AD].

Leave the pub (hopefully refreshed), turn right out of the car park into High Street (returning the way you came - for 100 Yds only!). At the cross roads Carefully turn left into Pinfold Lane and follow the road round the bend and up the hill and left into Spring Field road. After 50 Yds take the footpath on your RHS. Follow this to the stile located in the hedge.

As you cross the middle of this next field you can see the Toyota factory and cooling towers at Willington again, with Ratcliffe power station straight in front.

Cross over the small footbridge and straight over the field to the hedge. With the hedge on your RHS follow the path towards the village of Milton. Pass through the middle of the barn conversions and emerge onto the main street. Carefully cross the road looking for the finger post on the other side (just beyond the house opposite). Cross the stile and take this path, with the wall then fence on your LHS and head for the stile hidden in a small copse. Pass through the undergrowth to a small foot bridge and fence. Turn right up the slope to the metal gate and stile. Carry on up the hill to the left of the pylon and over the saddle to the gate and stile. Go straight over the middle of the next field to the track.

[The small church of Saint Saviour’s (built in 1662) is the church to Foremark Hall (a Georgian mansion now a Prep School for children from the age of 2 1/2)].

Turn left down the track for 50 Yds, then turn right at the “HGV Entrance” sign. Follow the driveway which passes between the hall and the lake until you reach the small red Post Box, where you follow the track to the right. Carry straight on into the spinney, over the stile and into Heath Wood. At the second “Heath Wood” sign cross the stile (on your LHS you can see Barrow-on-Trent church over the fields and the Rolls-Royce facility in the distance). Follow the fence on your RHS to the metal gate.

Carefully cross the road and take the track opposite down to the dwellings (Seven Spouts Farm). Follow the left hand track down the hill through the trees, carry straight on at the small pond on the way to meeting a road some ½ mile away.

*** CHECKPOINT 5 (Grid Ref: SK 354263) Ingleby Toft, Ingleby. Total distance covered 16 miles. ETA 15:20 ***

[Ingleby Toft (built at the same time as Foremark Hall as a dower house) can be seen on the top of the hill over the hedge].

Turn right and carefully walk down the road for approximately 200 Yds until you reach the footpath on your RHS opposite the driveway to the large house. Follow the path down the field towards Robin Wood. Skirt the edge of the wood by taking the path which bears left up the hill with the wire fence on your LHS. At the top of the hill carry straight on through the metal gate onto the tarmac track (isolated house on your RHS).

Follow the track until you reach the second pair of finger posts (one pointing left and one right) and take the path to the left. Head straight across the middle of the field heading towards two sets of power lines and Rolls-Royce in the distance. Cross over the small footbridge and head diagonally right across the fields (passing a wooden electricity pole in the centre of the field) to a stile in the corner.

Follow the path to the right of the pylon to a metal gate and stile and then onto a second gate and stile to the right of the house. Carefully turn left into the lane and after 100 Yds take the footpath on your RHS marked by a finger post. Follow the path until you emerge between cottages on the main road in Stanton by Bridge. Turn right along the pavement to the bus shelter and very carefully cross the busy road and follow the pavement on the other side to the right. At the T junction turn left down the tarmac drive opposite the turning to Ticknall. After 50 Yds you will reach a stile on your RHS next to a pair of ornate iron gate posts painted blue. Cross this stile and follow the path up the hill and to the right of the wood to another stile. Follow the edge of the wood (wire fence on your LHS) to the pylon and stile in the Holly hedge beyond.

Turn right along the track for approximately ¾ mile to the road at the end. Whilst on the track you can see a wrought iron railway bridge over the river Trent and the Cooper’s Inn in the distance, both of which you will be passing later. Towards the end of the track you will pass close to Holy Well which dates back to 1662. At the end of the track carefully cross the road to the check point in the pub car park and a well deserved break.

*** CHECKPOINT 6 (Grid Ref: SK 386262) Ye Olde Pack Horse, Kings Newton. Total distance covered 19 miles. ETA 16:20. ETD 16:50 ***

With your back to the front of the pub walk straight ahead carefully crossing the road by the mini round about. Walk along Main Street towards the Hardinge Arms. Carefully crossing the road just before the pub. Look for a gap in the stone wall just before Kings Newton Hall [this was built in the 17^th century for the Hardinge family. It was gutted by fire in 1859 and rebuilt 50 years later]. Follow the well defined footpath towards the new farmhouse diagonally down the hill and to the right. Cross the gate/stile and follow the path with the hedge on you LHS to the stile in the corner of the field.

Turn left into the lane and then left down the cycle track (just before the railway bridge). Where you join the disused railway line carry straight on through the black and white gates. Follow the track over the wrought iron bridge over the river Trent. Take the left hand fork just before the bridge over the Trent and Mersey canal. Turn right along the canal tow path under the railway bridge and then immediately under bridge No.11.

Cross the canal at bridge No.10 and follow the path upto the social club in the Ukrainian centre. Pass round the front of the building and up the tarmac drive. At the top of the hill leave the drive and follow the footpath sign pointing to the right. Follow the fence on your LHS to the metal gate at the end of the path.

*** CHECKPOINT 7 (Grid Ref: SK 398276) St Mary the Virgin, Weston-on-Trent. Total distance covered 21 miles. ETA 17:30. ***

Turn left down the lane to the road. Very carefully cross the road and follow the pavement to the left. Take the footpath on your RHS immediately after the railway bridge. Walk along the field with the hedge on your LHS rounding the corner of the field and look for the gap in the hedge by a large Holly bush (between the 2^nd and 3^rd wooden electricity poles). Emerge from the trees with Weston Hall in front of you [built in 1633, but was left unfinished after only 2/5 had been built when William Roper found himself in debt. Cromwell’s armies used the hall as a garrison during the English Civil War. The hall is now the Cooper’s Inn] follow the edge of the fishing lake counter clockwise until you can find a way through the undergrowth to the official footpath on the right. Follow the narrow path which emerges onto the private road which leads to the Cooper’s Inn. Turn right and carefully cross the road in front of Ye Olde Plough and follow the pavement to the left.

After approximately 200 Yds turn right down the track between two houses. Follow the track until you reach the wood on your LHS. Look for the opening in the dense undergrowth and follow the path for approximately ½ mile to the end of the wood, ignoring any paths to the left or right. When you leave the wood you will find yourself in a housing estate, carefully cross the road and turn right, following the pavement to the T junction. Carefully cross the road onto the old disused road opposite. Follow this to the wooden gates and pass to the front of Aston Hall [now apartments, dates back to 1735 when it was built for Robert Holden a famous barrister of the day] and onto All Saints’ Church. Climb the stone the steps into the church yard, follow the path round the Norman tower to the lych gate. Carry straight on for 200 Yds (carefully crossing the road at the Post Office) to the FINISH and a well earned drink!

*** CHECKPOINT 8 (Grid Ref: SK 415296). The White Hart, Aston-on-Trent. Total distance covered 23 miles. ETA 18:10 ***

The estimated times of arrival and departure (ETA & ETD) are calculated for someone walking at 3mph.

Please note the Bull’s Head stops serving lunch at 3pm. There is a chip shop opposite the pub and a village shop ¼ mile towards the village centre.

There are several support cars which will man the checkpoints. They will leapfrog along the route. They will carry water and snacks and you may deposit spare socks etc. with them to be picked up later.

We hope to have a support car at all the checkpoints to cover the period when all the walkers pass through, however if you arrive before the support car then continue but make sure your name is ticked off at the three pub stops (CP4, CP6 & CP8).

This year’s walk is about 27 miles long and starts in Hickling (mid-way between Nottingham and Melton Mowbray, just on the Nott’s side of the Nottinghamshire / Leicestershire boundary).

The walk is punctuated by churches; you pass eight and if you look carefully you can see several more. Another feature of the walk are the waterways, you start at the Grantham canal and finish along the Trent and Mersey canal, crossing the rivers Soar and Trent en-route.

Please read the “Notes for Walkers” on the back page before commencing the walk.

[The walk starts at Hickling Wharf which is on the now disused Grantham Canal which opened in 1797 and ran from the river Trent at Nottingham 33 miles to Grantham. Fred M Warner the 26^th Governor of Michigan was born in Hickling in 1865.

St. Luke’s Church dates from the 14^th century. Inside the church there are a number of medieval features including a unique style of grave lid which is 1000 years old].

From the Wharf, head along the pavement into the village, passing the church on your left-hand side (LHS). At the T junction turn right into Bridgegate Lane (Wesleyan chapel on the corner). Carefully walk up the lane. Approx 30 Yds after the wooden garage/speed limit sign go round the hedge on your LHS by the concealed fingerpost and over the wooden bridge/stile into field.

Follow the hedge on your LHS to the stile in the left hand corner of the field. Go through the hedge (mind your head on the low branch across the path), after a few yards turn right at a T junction of paths. Head to the right of all the barns, cross the farm track (with a stile on either side). Head across the middle of the field to the gap in the hedge half way up the field. Cross the long stile and head up the hill following the hedge on the LHS (ignore the stile on your LHS), until you get to the point where there is a dog leg in the hedge. At this point cross the stile in front of you and continue in the same direction to the top of the hill, with the same hedge now on your right-hand side (RHS). At the 2^nd wooden gate you pass through, the hedge switches to your LHS. Still going up the hill, pass through two more wooden gates (marked by yellow topped posts). Continue up through metal five bar gate and on to the stile in the corner of the field marked by a yellow topped post.

Pass through the Hawthorn copse (with a small pond in it) to a second stile with a yellow topped post. Continue in the same direction as marked by the arrow across the field to the right hand corner. Cross the long stile and turn left in the direction of the marker arrow with the hedge on your LHS. Cross the wooden bridge/stile and very carefully cross the busy road and turn left along the grass verge for approx 250 Yds.

Turn right into Folly Hall Lane. Follow lane for approx ½ mile over the railway bridge and then the cattle grid. Where the track bears to the right towards the farm leave the track and continue in the same direction through the five bar gate. Continue straight on up the hill passing through the blue five bar gate and at the top of the field pass through the gap in the hedge. In the next field follow its boundary to the left and then right aiming for the metal gate at the second tree. Go over the gate (it's locked) and follow the hedge on your LHS to a stile in its far corner. Over the stile turn right to follow the left edge of the field passing to the left of the new wooden stable, over two stiles to reach a lane. Turn left along the lane and follow it for a 1/4 mile to the cross roads. Turn right (in the direction of the Fosse Road as indicated by the road sign) and carefully walk along the grass verge for approximately ¾ mile (ignoring the right hand turns to the A46).

[The Fosse Way - 182 mile long Roman road which linked Exeter and Lincoln and is never more than six miles from a straight line].

Approximately 600 Yds after the bridge over the Fosse Way (A46) and just underneath the power lines, take the path on the right. This leads diagonally left to a stile in the middle of the field (towards the houses) then slightly right of the houses to the next stile and in 50 Yds through an old red rusty farm gate. Turn left down the track and quickly reach the road. Turn right and follow Main Street into the village. After approximately 500Yds you reach the cross roads (with red telephone box on your LHS), turn left into London Lane, you will find the village hall after approximately 100Yds on your RHS.

*** CHECKPOINT 1 (Grid Ref: SK 638252) The village hall, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds

With the village hall on your LHS walk to the cross roads with the red telephone box on the corner. Carefully cross over into Widmerepool Lane and continue to finger post on your LHS next to No.1 Woodgate House. Follow the narrow path, crossing the stile and continue in the same direction along the tarmac path to the lane. Turn right and then left in front of the barns along the tarmac path. Continue into the lane, turning right as indicated by a finger post at a junction of lanes (with Church Farm on the right hand corner). After approx 30 Yds turn left into the church yard.

[St. Mary and All Saint’s church - on the north side of the church is the chapel of St. Nicholas, which is filled with monuments of departed members of the great house of Willoughby. Under the window lies Sir Richard de Willoughby (son of Richard Bugge), who was an eminent lawyer in Edward 1’s line, and acquired considerable wealth, including the manors of Wollaton and Willoughby].

Walk through the church yard to the stile on the opposite side. Follow the grassy path between hedge and wire fence and over the stile / wooden bridge. Head diagonally right across the field to the double stile to the right of the barn. Follow the hedge on your LHS around the corner to stile / five bar gate. Continue to through the field to next stile / five bar gate. Carefully cross the road diagonally left to stile / five bar gate.

Cross the field in the direction of the finger post to double stile / wooden bridge in the corner. Ignore the meanderings of the stream but follow its general direction by heading in a straight line to the left hand corner of the field and the double stile. Carry straight on over field to a double stile in the hedge and straight on over the next field to the stile / wooden bridge in the hedge. Go through small paddock to metal five bar gate / stile, cross over the track to another stile/ wooden bridge in a hedge. Follow direction the marker arrow across field to a stile and continue in the same direction with wire fence on your LHS. Cross two small stiles in and out of a small enclosure.

Continue in the same direction to a stile in the corner of the field. Bear left down the short slope to bear right to a wooden bridge / stile. Follow direction of the marker arrow keeping the fence on your LHS to stile in the corner. Keeping the fence on your LHS cross the field to the next stile, crossing the track to the stile opposite. Follow direction of the marker arrow across the field with the meandering stream on your LHS until you reach the metal five bar gate / stile. Cross the field with the stream on your LHS to the bridge in the left hand corner, immediately turn right through the gap in the hedge marked by a yellow topped post, cross middle of next field to next yellow topped post on the corner of a wood. With the wood on your LHS walk to the next yellow topped post approx 80Yds away and head diagonally right across the next field to the next yellow topped post by the hedge (you can see the village of Wysall in the distance) round the corner to a stile. Pass though wide hedge / over wooden footbridge and over another stile and follow the marker arrow diagonally left across to the corner of the field to a double stile and wooden footbridge. Cross the middle of the next field to a stile / wooden footbridge in the middle of the hedge opposite. With the hedge on your LHS follow the edge of the field in the same direction as before. In the corner of the field turn right along a dirt track for approx 50 Yds to a stile on your LHS in the hedge. Head across the field in the direction of the church. Pass through the metal kissing gates either side of the wooden footbridge. With the hedge on your LHS head towards the house, carry on along a narrow path into the playground at the back of the village hall. Pass down the side of the village hall to the road.

[Holy Trinity church has three bells. The first carries no motto; the second has "God save the King"; the third has "God save the Church"].

With the church on your LHS and the village hall on your RHS walk up Main Street a short distance, carefully cross the road just after the telephone box to a small gate and a finger post. Follow the narrow path along the backs of the gardens until you reach a stile / metal gate. Cross the field diagonally to a stile in the top corner. Follow the direction of the marker arrow with the hedge on your RHS. At the bottom of the hill dog leg through the gap in the hedge and continue in the same direction towards the yellow topped post. Cross the wooden footbridge and turn right and head towards the next yellow topped post. Follow the hedge on your RHS until the path continues across the middle of the field. At the next yellow topped post follow the marker arrow diagonally across field to next yellow topped post. Cross over the wooden footbridge and follow the direction of the marker arrow diagonally across the next field towards the woods.

Enter Old Wood, ignore the path to your left, and instead head down the hill. Ignore the second path to your left just after the wooden bridge. A little further down the hill take the path that forks left. At the track at the bottom of the hill turn left. After approximately 400 Yds you reach the third pile of logs, turn right along a smaller path, cross over another track and down some steps and continue in the same direction out of the wood. The path bends right and then left over the top of the entrance to a Gypsum mine. Follow the line of the cutting down the slope to join the track coming from the mine entrance. Follow the concrete track to a very substantial red metal gate / fence. There is a brand new kissing gate in the corner to the right of the red gate marked by a finger post. Turn left along the lane for approx 50Yds to the T junction. Turn right along the pavement towards the petrol station and pub. Carefully cross the road and just before the church turn left into Main Street.

[A full list of the names of the rectors and vicars are displayed in the church and dates back to 1228 and a Robert de Glamorgan].

With the church on your RHS walk down Main Street to the end and a metal five bar gate / stile. Take the left hand path to “Gotham” diagonally across the field to a pair of yellow topped posts. Cross the dyke and turn right at the second of the yellow topped posts in the direction of the marker arrow, heading towards Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Walk with the dyke on your RHS for approx 1/3 mile until you reach a 4 foot long “post and rail” fence with marker arrow on it. (This short piece of fence is on your LHS, 30 feet in front of a small Willow tree - TAKE CARE OR YOU WILL MISS THIS TURN). Turn left in the direction of the marker arrow away from the dyke, follow the trail created by the weed killer through the crops, heading towards a loan tree in the middle of the field and a yellow topped post beyond the tree. When you reach the yellow topped post follow the marker arrow across the next field to the next yellow topped post. Dog leg through the large gap in the hedge and follow the distinct path (the finger post is not quite pointing in the correct direction). Head down the edge of the field with the hedge on your LHS (if you look carefully you can see the power station straight in front). Dog leg round the end of the field into the next field following the marker arrow on the yellow topped post in the direction of the railway bridge (the British Gypsum works – East Leake site is on the horizon on your LHS). After passing under the bridge turn left through the metal gate and follow the marker arrow with the hedge on your RHS.

[Great Central railway line north of Loughborough was used until the 1980’s to carry freight for the British Gypsum works at Hotchley Hill just outside of East Leake. This section of the line is now in the hands of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and if you are lucky you may see a steam engine. It is hoped that one day the connection with the line south of Loughborough will be re-established].

Pass through the next metal gate and over the wooden footbridge, and then turn right in the direction of the marker arrow. Walk along the edge of the field with the ditch on your RHS. Turn left in the corner of the field in the direction of the marker arrow on the yellow topped post. Follow the edge of the field with the hedge on your RHS. When you meet the track turn right and then immediately left at a cross roads of tracks. With the hedge on your LHS follow the tarmac track heading towards the power station as indicated by the finger post. Follow the track until you reach the road / houses. Carefully cross the road and turn left along the pavement into the centre of the village and lunch.

[Gotham is most famed for the stories of the “Wise Men of Gotham”. It is believed the villagers feigned madness to avoid a Royal Highway being built through the village by King John. His knights believing the madness to be highly contagious swiftly withdrew and the road was re-routed to avoid the village. One of the mad deeds seen by the knights was a group of villagers fencing off a tree to keep a Cuckoo captive (hence the name of one of the pubs in the village is called The Cuckoo Bush Inn).

St. Lawrence church established in 1180 has a Norman Nave and a 13^th century steeple.

Leave the pub (hopefully refreshed) and return to the Pump, with the church on your LHS walk along Leake Road. Follow the line of houses on the RHS of the road until they turn right into Hill Road. At the entrance to Hill Road there is a finger post and a green sign “Private Road & Bridleway”. Turn into Hill Road (the street name is on the wall of the house) and continue in the same direction until you reach the T junction, carefully cross the road passing through the gate on the other side and follow the direction of the finger post up Cuckoo Bush hill.

[There in a information board at the start of the path explaining that Gypsum has been mined in the area since the early 1900’s for use in building plaster, toothpaste and beer making].

At the top of the hill pass through the gate and carry straight on heading towards the wood. At the edge of the wood pass through the gate and turn right along the path. After 30 Yds the path forks, bear left heading into Leake New Wood. When the path opens out and the path starts to drop down hill, continue to the bottom of the hill and a yellow topped marker post. Turn left at the post (to your right you can see the cooling towers of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station and, at approximately one o’clock you can see the control tower at EMA). With the hedge on your LHS follow the path to the next yellow topped marker post where you turn right along the track. After 400 Yds turn left at the next yellow topped marker post. This track zig zags for approximately 1 mile until you reach a T junction of paths with a hedge in front of you (through which you can just see a yellow cottage). Turn right through the gap in the hedge on your RHS, follow the path for approximately 200 Yds to pass a large old tree branch on your LHS. In a further 40 Yds take the stile hidden behind a large tree on your LHS to walk down the middle of a paddock to another stile just to the left of two splendid new houses. Follow the short narrow path to the stile which leads onto the road through the village of West Leake. Carefully cross the road to the church.

Turn right along the pavement, ignore the turning on the right back to Gotham, carefully cross the road and take the tarmac drive which rises above the road and avoids the slight bend in the road. At the sharp left hand bend in the road carry straight on along the tarmac bridleway, which soon becomes a grassy path between two hedges. (You can see the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus on your LHS). After approximately ¾ mile you come to the barns of Scotland farm. Pass through the gateway and turn left, follow the track with the pond on your RHS heading towards the university.

Do not cross the concrete bridge, instead turn right in front of the small square outbuilding. Follow the path in the direction of the finger post with the stream on your LHS. Leave the field at the telegraph pole, heading towards the wooden foot bridge, negotiating the ditch on the way. Once over the bridge head towards the Ratcliff-on-Soar power station chimney. Keep to the edge of the field with the hedge on your RHS. Cross over the first stile and head to the next stile keeping the hedge on your RHS.

[Over the hedge you will get a good view of Kingston Hall, which was designed by Edward Blore and built in 1842 – 46 for Edward Strutt, Member of Parliament for Derby 1830 - 48].

Cross over the second stile and follow the wire fence on your RHS. Head towards the bright red litter bin on the finger post on the side of the road (100 Yds to the left of the stone road bridge). Cross over the stile and head towards the church, carefully crossing the road on the way.

*** CHECKPOINT 5 (Grid Ref: SK 502278) St. Winifred’s Church, Kingston-on-Soar.

[Little remains of the church completed in 1538, the church was originally dedicated to St. Wilfred. When William the eldest son of Henry, 2^nd Baron Belper died in 1898 his father rebuilt the church in his memory. The nave and the tower were replaced and the church reopened in 1900 as St. Winifred’s].

Head back towards the bright red litter bin looking for the kissing gate on the other side of the road. Pass through the gate and head diagonally across the field to a stile on the other side. Carry on in the direction of the yellow arrow through the metal five bar gate. Cross over the brook heading towards the railway embankment and tunnel under (watch your head on the low roof as you leave the tunnel). Cross the stile and follow the direction of the yellow arrow roughly in the direction of the church spire. Cross the stile and take the right hand fork under the power lines towards the road (if not harvested the fallen oil seed rape will make walking difficult. If the crop is wet then we advise you wear your waterproofs). Cross the wooden footbridge, carefully cross the road and follow the pavement over the first stone road bridge. [*Refreshments available at E*]. Before the second bridge turn right down the steps, over the metal stile and along the tow path towards the lock.

With the canal/river Soar on your RHS follow the path for approx 1 ¼ miles heading towards the A453 which you pass under. Immediately after the bridge turn left. Where you meet a path coming down from the A453 on your LHS, you turn right away from the busy road. After approx 400 Yds you meet a lane, carefully carry on along the lane in the same direction for approx ½ mile (ignoring two footpaths one to the right and one to the left). The third fingerpost (on your RHS) is marked Midshires Way Bridleway, pass through the gate and cross the field in the direction of the overhead cables. Carry on through the gate, over the bridge, continuing in the direction of the overhead cables to the next gate marked by a yellow topped post.

Follow the edge of the field with the hedge on your RHS until you reach another metal gate. Pass through the gate into the lane and carefully continue in the same direction. Pass under the railway bridge and continue along the lane, rounding the bends to the pub, passing the entrance to Sawley Marina on your RHS.

At the T junction with the Sawley to Castle Donnington road turn right along the path between two hedges on the RHS of the road. Very carefully cross the busy road just before the road bridge. Pass through the gate and continue along the tow path with the lock on your RHS heading towards the M1 motorway. Pass under the motorway and continue along the bank of the river Trent until you reach a point where the river bends sharp left (you will notice the old footbridge has gone and still has not yet been replaced!), bear left before the scaffolding barrier, through a gap in the hedge. Walk along the tarmac track keeping the river Trent on your RHS for about 1/3 mile. At the yellow topped post leave the track and follow the grassy path along the river bank to a kissing gate. Carry on along the bank towards the former brewery buildings at Cavendish Bridge. Bear left at the wall and follow the path to the stile/metal gate [The three storey house on your RHS is the former brewery manager’s house].

Turn left and walk the short distance to the main road. Carefully cross the road [*Refreshments available at G*], turn right and use the pavement to cross Cavendish Bridge into Shardlow and the Navigation Inn.

[Before the bridge there was a ferry here called Wilden Ferry since at least 1309. The ferry was replaced by the first bridge in 1760 and took its name from the patron of the scheme, William Cavendish the 4^th Duke of Devonshire. The bridge was washed away in 1947 and was replaced by a temporary Bailey bridge until the current bridge was opened in 1956. At this time the alignment of the bridge was moved. The original bridge was next to the Crown Inn. Tolls were collected until 1888 the repositioned Toll Stone can be seen on the Derbyshire side of the new bridge].

[Shardlow, an 18th century canal port, with all its associated wharves and warehouses is clearly to be seen. Originally a river port, Shardlow developed greatly with the opening of the Trent and Mersey Canal in 1770].

With your back to the front of the pub, Carefully cross the road and turn right along the pavement (past the B&B on your LHS) to the small cottage (The Old Salt Warehouse) just before the bridge over the canal. Turn left into the lane (Canal Bank) towards the lock gates (the Clock Warehouse pub is on your RHS on the other side of the canal). Follow the canal tow path all the way to Aston Lock.

When you reach Aston Lock cross the canal using the old brick bridge (No.6) and head down the track until you reach the road. Carefully cross the road and use the pavement to continue in the same direction as before. Round the bend by the church and continue into the centre of Aston.

[All Saints church - The earliest written evidence of the church in Aston is in the Domesday Survey of 1086. Very little survives from this period and the present building is the result of alterations and additions during the following 900 years, although the main fabric of the building has remained virtually unchanged since the 14th century].

*** CHECKPOINT 8 (Grid Ref: SK 415296). The White Hart, Aston-on-Trent. Total distance covered 27 miles. ETA 18:30 ***

# The estimated times of arrival and departure (ETA & ETD) are calculated for someone walking at 3mph.

The Plough, Wysall (200 yds off route). R & T. Open all day from 12:00. Food 12:00 – 14.30

Old Chandlery Tea Shop, Sawley Marina. (200yds off route). R & T. Last orders 15:00!!

The Navigation, Shardlow. R & T. Open all day. Food 12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 21:00.

# There are several support cars which will man the checkpoints. They will leapfrog along the route. They will carry water and snacks and you may deposit spare socks etc. with them to be picked up later.

# Please ensure your name is ticked off at every checkpoint including the final checkpoint. If however you arrive at any of the checkpoints before they are open, please continue to the next checkpoint but contact a support car so they may tick you off. If you retire before the finish in Aston, please make sure you inform a marshal.

# If at any point you need assistance from a support car please ring either: