Get Lost Mountaineering

Hayton, Idle Nature Reserve, Clayworth, Chesterfield Canal

from the Boat Inn at Hayton

Start/Finish

North end of Hayton Village neat the Boat Hill which is next to the bridge (Townend Bridge) over the Chesterfield Canal. It is sometimes possible to go straight on at the Boat Inn (Burntleys Road) and park on a verge. Otherwise park in the village.

Distance/Time

10 km    About 3 hours

Peaks

No peaks as this walk is almost entirely level.

OS Explorer 271: Newark-on-Trent

Introduction

No one would claim that any part of Nottinghamshire is mountainous but walks on its gentle rolling hills are enjoyed by many so here is one which is very gentle with a pub at the start and finish and one just after halfway. Navigation is fairly straightforward and a map is hardly needed. Note that short section over the Chesterfield Canal and into Clayworth is off the above map but it isn't worth buying an extra map to cover this short section.

Route

(1) From the Boat Inn, cross the bridge over the canal and walk along the straight road, heading roughly west, to reach a right angle bend after about 500 m. Leave the road and continue ahead on a dirt track. Follow this for just over 1 km to where it crosses the River Idle and there is a sign for the start of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. There are lakes both sides of the track here. Further on there is a short path, slightly uphill on the right, which goes to an observation point overlooking some large lakes. Wildlife photographers are often found here. Return to the track and continue. If you can get to it, there is a path behind the hedge on the left which gives better views of the lakes on that side but keep an eye on the track as you are looking for a large red metal gate on the right which takes you into the northern half of the nature reserve. There is an information board by this gate.

(2) Go through the gate and follow a long and fairly straight track which passes between lakes. After some distance, there is a sign on the right for Chainbridge Scrape which is reached by a short path that takes you to a viewpoint over some large lakes. Return to the track and continue, roughly north. Further on the track swings left and there is another sign and viewpoint directly ahead overlooking another large lake; a lesser track goes right. Follow the main track left. This is Cross Lane and it soon passes the entrance of Lound Village Ski Centre. Soon after, one can see many boats, etc, through the fence. Continue to the end of Cross Lane to reach a slightly diagonal T junction. Turn right; this is Neat Holme Track. It is a long, fairly straight track and also passes between lakes to eventually reach a bridge over the River Idle. Take the path which is most like straight on and which seems to enter a small, thin wood. Follow this to its end where a smaller bridge crosses a drain. The path now crosses a field and its line is very obvious unless the field has been recently ploughed. The top soil has some clay in it so your boots may be heavy by the end of the field where ones goes roughly left onto a grassy track. Follow this to a T junction then turn right. The bridge over the Chesterfield Canal should now be visible so follow the track to the bridge and cross over. Once over, follow the track the road to come out in Clayworth village opposite the church.

(3) From the church, turn right and follow the road SE through Clayworth village, passing the Brewers Arms (excellent home cooked food but check opening hours beforehand) to reach another bridge over the Chesterfield Canal. Descend to the Retford & Worksop Boat Club and walk past the building then continue by the side of the canal. Initially SE with the canal on your left. The flagged towpath runs out after the last boat so continue on the grassy verge to reach Townend Bridge opposite the Boat Inn and the start of the walk.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 24^th January, 2022.

(b) Clayworth village can be avoided by not crossing the bridge over the Chesterfield Canal but, instead, turning right and following the tow path which leads to the Boat Club and then Hayton as described above. This doesn't save much time although it is a good alternative for those who prefer walking alongside canals to walking through villages.