Gringley RFM Blue Line Cuckoo Way

 

Gringley 

RFM Blue Line 

Cuckoo Way

21/05/25

Another section of the Cuckoo Way along the Chesterfield canal in rural North Nottinghamshire. The weather was overcast but not cold. By the end of the walk the sun was out and it was hot.

I started this walk at St Peters in Clayworth as I had parked here for a previous walk and knew how quiet it was. This is a great village and every villager I have spoken to so far has been friendly and welcoming.

Before reaching the canal the path headed up this overgrown hedgerow off the Wiseton Road. There a lot of Chaffinches, Blue Tits, Wrens, Robins and Blackbirds singing like mad in the bushes.

The fields are parched which is not surprising as it hasn't rained in about 6 or 7 weeks. The route was really easy to follow as the path is very clear. The local farmers have done a great job delimiting the path.

Out of the fields and past a house in the woods along a wonderful wooded lane. The big Weimaraner dog barked at me from behind the gate but it was more a bark of welcome than a warning. This lane is called Death Lane and as it leads to the Church and its burial ground it is literally well named. Still it would be a brilliant address to live at.

The path headed down the side of a huge field of barley towards a wood and farm in the distance.

After passing Topley Farm the field changed to a corrugated field of potatoes. On the horizon I could see a disused windmill and a chapel. I later found this was called Mill Hill (no surprise there) but the chapel was actually a cemetery.

The route crossed the busy A631 and entered Gingley on the Hill. There were some very big characterful houses here.

I'm guessing this is a Medieval cross, octagonal but with the cross part missing. Looks really old. I like it in its setting surrounded by red roofed old buildings and the church.

I have never been here before or even heard of it but it is a lovely village. 

As ever in this part of the world the flat land means the views are long and uninterrupted by hills. Its really hard to make out what is on the horizon it is so far away.

On my way down to the canal from Gringley I passed a pony and trap. 

I arrived at the Chesterfield canal at Shaw bridge next to a Shaw lock.

There was a convenient bench so I used it to have a rest and a cup of coffee. I watched as this guy got his narrow boat through the lock with the help of his wife. We had a short conversation and I learnt that the chip shop at Misterton was really good. Some pieces of information are good to know.

I don't know what this industrial building is but in this rural setting and near the canal I can only imagine its a pumping station. I have to say that this walk is reminding me so much of Cider with Rosie a rural epic. I almost expect to see the Larkins at any minute.

Thing is with canal side walks nothing really happens, they just look good.

The swan hissed at me but they do have cygnets so I forgave him. A hill in the distance.

More canal and a canal tunnel.

This little place is called Drakeholes and has a pub and a canal tunnel.

This was a nice little seating area so I had my second rest and a cup of coffee before the final couple of miles of the walk. It was a welcome break and I was happy, sat alone contemplating nothing for a while. Perfect, where are the Larkins?

Its always hard to photograph fish in a canal but this pike was an exception. He was looking straight at me probably wondering if he could swallow me.

This stretch of the canal near Wiseton Hall was wider and the bridges prettier than elsewhere. I think there had been a local influence here when it was built.

By now I was running out of steam and glad to see the bridge I was to leave the canal at. The weekends walk covering the last section of the Pennine Way was telling on my stamina.

Back to Clayworth along the Roman road, don't they turn up quite often in my walks, and the church now bathed in sunshine. 

Stats

7.81 miles

350 ascent

350 descent

2.38 walking time

3.00 mph