The Cuckoo Way


PART ONE

The Cuckoo Way Part One (The first of four walks on the Chesterfield canal called the Cuckoo Way).

Nine walkers met at Killamarsh on a very cold morning to start the walk to Chesterfield and then return along the route of the canal.

We continued on mostly on the Transpennine Trail to Chesterfield and the sun come out and it became a very pleasant day. On reaching Chesterfield we dropped down onto the canal and started back along the canal to Killamarsh.

We stopped at the Mill pub alongside the canal owned by Peter Swan ex footballer for Sheffield Wednesday and England and had a pleasant stay and it was nice to see Peter now 82years old eating his lunch and being surrounded by memorabilia from his footballing past.

Suitably refreshed we continued on down the canal to see the enormous work that was being done to restore the canal and realizing the enormous task that lay ahead to complete it as in places it did not exist.

We continued on to our start at Killamarsh and the completion of our 20 mile walk. What a good and interesting walk well led and also well researched by Aaron as he explained all that was being and was very informative so thanks’ Aaron for a walk enjoyed by all.

 

PART  TWO

The Cuckoo Way Part Two (the second of four walks on the Chesterfield canal called the Cuckoo Way)

Six walkers met again at Killamarsh on a day that promised 20 degrees (IN FEB!!!!)

Picking up where we left part one we walled along the Killamarsh Greenway, the Canal here as been built over.

Finding the footpath out of Killamarsh we passed Lock House and then the entrance to the Norwood Tunnels (Blocked off). Crossing the A618 we found the other end of the tunnel once under the M1 motorway at Kiverton Waters.

This stretch of the Canal has been walked in parts on countless walks, we can see why as the lock systems and history abounds. There are in total 30+ lock systems with many being double or triple locks.

On this stretch we passed Albert Dock (the loading port for the stone that built the Houses of Parliment). Through Kiverton Park, Turnerwood (no ice cream shop open :-( and on to Shireoaks.

Into Worksop we walked through the Town to Bracebridge where we finished this section on the Canal.

Once refreshed at The King George in Workshop we made our way (mainly uphill) towards Killamarsh. But... not before a lovley ice cream in Hartill on a very balmy 20 degree day in Feb!!!

 

PART THREE

The Cuckoo Way Part Three (the third of four walks on the Chesterfield Canal called the Cuckoo Way)

Seven folk (inc two from Lincolnshire group) met at the Clarborough Village Hall

Leaving Clarborough towards Tiln we eventually found the route through The Idle Valley Nature Reserve. Unfortunatley due to us having to cross the A638 the East Coast Main Train Line and the A1 made us drop onto the Cut for Elevenses at Ranby then a bit more Cut to Scofton saw us hit Bracebridge in Worksop a little behind schedule.

Leaving Worksop saw us head towards Osberton Hall and back to Scofton, at Ranby again a decision was made at the Pub for half the team to crack on while the three thru hikers finished their pint (it must be said here with the divertion this morning (my fault) and the drop into Ranby made this day a lot longer than it should have been).

From Ranby we made our way under the Green Mile track, The Old London Road and into Retford.

Thorugh Retford it was a short couple of miles back to our cars in Clarborough. A 27.5 day (I apologise)

 

PART FOUR (behind closed doors)

The Cuckoo Way Part Four (the fourth of four walks on the Chesterfield Canal called the Cuckoo Way)

Four invited guests joined me on the last instalment of the Cuckoo Way

Finding the Canal where we dropped off last month we made our way towards Clayworth and the boat club.

Elevenses were took at the entrance to the Drakeholes tunnel.

The final square on the map had us find the last Marker and the last Bridge with the last Lock into the River Trent at West Stockwith.

Finding the pub open for lunch we then made our way back to Clarborough utilising the Trent bank and finding the route through Beckingham

 

In Conclusion:

A cracking route, the entire route is steeped in Industrial heritage.

The Chesterfield Canal trust are doing a cracking job of restoration.

The best parts for water furniture has to be the area around Kiverton Park.

Thouroughly enjoyed.