Todwick Ramblers Club Walks: 2025

3rd July 2025

Nine walkers plus Oscar and Milo began our walk from Woodhouse Lane, Beighton at 10 am.

The walk was approx 6 miles, no stiles with 1 steep hill, good paths, fields and woodland.

We began our walk towards the bridge over Mosborough Parkway, turning left and then next right heading toward Linleybank Meadows. Following this path we proceeded down a steep incline turning right onto Stone Lane. After a while we took a detour into Shirebrook Valley making our way towards the car park before rejoining Stone Lane, crossing over the B6064 entering the Trans Pennine Trail to the edge of Stradbrook. Crossing the main Stradbrook Road we carried on the Trail turning right into Smelter Wood. After a short walk we crossed over Shirtcliff Brook coming to a steep incline which took us to the edge of Handsworth.

Walking a further half a mile we decided to take our break with a panoramic view overlooking Richmond in the distance. From here we made our way along the footpath to the edge of the fields turning right until we reached Shirtcliff Wood eventually approaching and crossing Beaver Hill Road and entered Flockton Park. We continued on the lower path which led us to Woodhouse Train Station and Bus Terminal. Taking Junction Road we followed the railway tracks on the left until we reached the turning into Beighton Marsh. A short walk through the Marsh brought us out onto Beighton Road. Crossing over the busy road we entered the edge of Shirebrook Valley bringing us back to the bridge over the A57 retracing our steps back to the starting point.

After a pleasant walk in warm sunny conditions everyone decided to take advantage of a visit to Joe's ice cream which we all enjoyed. The hardest decision was choosing which flavour to pick from the large selection.

25th June 2025 – an evening walk

The first time for years that we have had an evening walk, and this turned out to be an ideal evening for one, still comfortably warm but not as hot as earlier in the day. 15 people obviously thought it was a good idea and turned up at the Parish Hall car park in Anston. Just as we were setting off, Bobbie, the dog, trod on something that hurt her foot, she was obviously in some discomfort and Sue had to abandon ideas of walking and take her home. You will be glad to know that the dog is now fine.

The rest of us set off and walked into Anston Stones woods, initially taking the top path. We were interested to see quite a lot of wild orchids at the edges of the paths. Down to Anston Brook, taking the zigzag path to avoid the steep steps, we stopped for a drink and were able to sit down on a low wall. Then we followed the path besides the brook back to the park in Anston.

An easy 3 mile walk, enjoyed by all with plenty of opportunity for people to talk as well as walk.

Marion Brassington

5th June 2025

Twelve walkers and Oscar set off in a light drizzle from the car park at Clowne for our walk of around 5.5 miles. Within minutes, we were heading south on a gentle hillside with extensive views to the west overlooking North Chesterfield and the Peak District.

On reaching Oxcroft Lane, we said goodbye to four of the group who had opted for the shortened version of the route. With a strong recommendation not to veer off the main track, they arrived safely back at cars and headed for lunch.

The rest of the party continued to the historic and attractive village of Elmton. There, we viewed a number of information boards scattered around the hamlet to find answers to the 13 questions on the sheets handed out at the start of the walk.

After a pleasant coffee and snack stop on a picnic bench on the village green, we left Elmton and followed a broad lane and a narrower footpath though fields and, passing farmhouses, back to the outskirts of Clowne. By now, it was dry, warm and even sunny at times.

The final section of the walk was on the wooded, former railway line now called the Clowne Linear Park. This line can now be used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders but was once part of a railway system that carried passengers and coal products. We soon dropped off the trail onto an urban path that led to the car park through a small estate of new housing.

27th March 2025

14 Todwick Ramblers turned up for this extra walk to see the new £1/2 million Trans Pennine Trail bridge.The warm sunny morning was just right for a leisurely walk. We walked up the old railway line that is now the TPT to the new bridge and had an early stop for snacks.

Several members had not seen the new canal basin so walked up for a look, most were impressed by the new cafe and shops being build there. We retraced our steps and stopped for a photo shoot under the bridge, Brian gave us demonstration of stunt riding on an abandoned bike very impressive. We then walked along the original route of the canal which will be reinstated in the future. We had a chat with some of the canal trusts volunteers who are doing some clearance work who gave us some information about the canal.

20th March 2025

On the first day of Spring and the warmest day of the year so far, sixteen lucky walkers and two dogs set off on a walk of around 5.5 miles from Bolsover Castle.

After descending on field paths, we soon arrived at the model village of New Bolsover. This was one of the country’s first mining villages built in the late 19th century on garden city lines. The philanthropic coal mine owner aimed to give his workers good housing standards and sports outlets. We then continued into the Peter Fidler and Carr Vale Flash nature reserves, stopping briefly at the monument paid for by the citizens of Canada in honour of Mr Fidler, born in from 1769 and originally from Bolsover. He was a highly respected map maker, surveyor and Chief Scout for the Hudson Bay Trading Company.

We passed a number of ponds and viewing points in the reserves and then joined the tree-lined Stockley Trail, a former railway line, for around a mile. Then leaving the Trail, we tackled the gradual, at first, climb on field paths up the valley side. Nearing the top of the now steeper climb, we paused a few times to admire the views and recover our breaths before emerging at the hilltop village of Palterton where we stopped on benches for our snacks and drinks.

The final 1.5 miles were on level field and urban paths, with distant views, taking us back to the Castle and to well-earned refreshments in the local pub restaurant.

8th February 2025

It was a grey, drizzly day when 12 of the regular walkers, plus Oscar the dog, assembled on Main Street in Sprotborough. Fortunately the cold wind of the previous day had abated and the skies cleared. We took a footpath down to the river, the flight of steps the easiest and best I have ever encountered on a walk.

Then a very pleasant stretch of path alongside the River Don, with snowdrops flowering amongst the ivy of the hill. We were interested to see how trees had fallen into the river and taken a considerable part of the river bank with them.

Steps took us up to a disused railway line, we had a short break and looked down on the river. This path is now part of the Trans Pennine Trail, a broad level path which is well surfaced and shaded by hedges and trees on both sides, so easy, comfortable walking. After a mile and a half we left the path and headed towards Cusworth Hall. A short, steep hill took us up to the Hall, where there were toilets and a cafe, also plenty of seats, a convenient place to stop for lunch.

After about 20 minutes we set off again, down to the lakes and over a field path to Sprotborough, passing through a tunnel under the motorway. Then along various streets in the village back to our cars.

An interesting and varied walk of just over 5.5 miles.