Walk Of The Week

WEEK 2 - WILDLIFE, WOODLANDS & FAR- REACHING VIEWS
Another one of my favourites, this is a wonderful little walk, with beautiful far reaching views over stunning North Nottinghamshire countryside, which is easily accessed from the market town of Retford. It is perfect for any season, but particularly beautiful through the springtime and summer months, where the hedgerows are bursting with wildlife, providing nesting opportunities and vital habitats for both farmland and woodland birds. I would recommend you take a camera and binoculars if you have them!
Our walk begins in Ordsall, which stands on the bank of the river idle, an old farming village until the 20th century, it has seen many changes throughout the years as it has developed, grown and merged in to the town of Retford. The golf club, close to the start of this walk, was established in 1921 and has to be one of the most attractive courses in the county. I am not a golfer myself, but I am increasingly tempted to learn, it is such an idyllic setting, the woodland tracks and paths carve through the rolling landscaped parkland, pure tranquility… It offers so many health benefits, as well being pleasing to the eye!
As we walk towards the tiny hamlet of Morton, notice the change in the landscape, the views are a delight, and surprisingly hilly. There is so much to see, from the pretty array of wildflowers, such as white campion, common mallow, and Cretan bryony, to the farmers busy working the land and livestock grazing the fields. Morton belongs to the parish of Babworth alongside the village of Ranby. Now predominately agricultural, it has an interesting history, synonymous with legendary highway men and royalty. It is believed that Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots, stayed at the Old Rushey Inn (now cottages) in 1503, whilst on her long journey to marry James IV King of Scotland.
There are no refreshment facilities along this walk, but plenty of lovely spots for a picnic, if you are taking your dog, make sure you keep it on the lead. Respect the countryside code and enjoy!
Happy Ramblings!
Sally

COVID-19 Rules for outdoor activity - You can exercise by yourself, with the people you live with, your support bubble (one other person). Full guidance can be found on the Government website. www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

BASICS
RETFORD – BABWORTH- MORTON CIRCULAR BASICS
DISTANCE: 4.10 Miles
DURATION: 1 Hour 20mins
SEVERITY: Easy
GRADIENT: Mostly flat
STILES: None but there are gates
MAPS: Explorer 270 & 271
PATH INFO: Paths, tracks, field edge paths, footpaths. Fields can get muddy, so appropriate footwear is required
START PPOINT: Brecks Road, Outside Retford Golf Club – Roadside parking, please be respectful as residential area DN22 7UA (can be accessed by foot from Retford area).
REFRESHMENTS/TOILETS: No public toilets

DIRECTIONS

We begin this lovely little walk by the entrance to Retford Golf Club on Brecks Road, in Ordsall. At the beginning of the track, turn left along a narrow path, keeping the houses to your left and the hedgerow to your right. Continue along until you reach a fingerpost, here turn right, following the track, with farmland on either side, until you reach a large tree.
Here, follow the lane round to the right, you will see the golf course and wooded area ahead, with farmland to the left. As you reach to top of the lane, turn left and continue straight ahead (ignoring signposted routes to the right) until you reach a farm on your right.
You will see a wooden gate, pass through the gate, making sure you close this behind you, and continue through the grassy area to the next gate, keeping the farm to your right.
Proceed through the second gate to the end of the path, and turn right onto the Old London Road, be aware of light traffic and farm vehicles. Continue along the road passing the farm on your right and a row of red brick cottages to your left, you will see the railway crossing ahead.
Just before the crossings, you will see a metal gate to your right, leading on to a track which runs through fields and rolling countryside. Proceed through the gate and continue along until you reach an intersection of paths.
Take the track to the left and head towards the railway bridge. Go under the bridge and turn right at the tree, following the path up towards the golf course, keeping the railway to your right. Approach the course with caution following the clearly marked public footpath to the far right and follow the treelined pathway up a slight incline.
Continue along this waymarked pathway until you reach the railway bridge on your right. Cross over the concrete bridge keeping to the waymarked route, continue through the course, being mindful of the golfers (be prepared to stop and wait if needed). The pathway is undulating, proceed along until you reach a fenced building on your right.
Using the path to the far right, bear right and you will see a metal kissing gate ahead. Pass through the gate, this is the perfect spot to take a moment to admire the beautiful far reaching views. Follow the track downhill, bearing left with a slight ascent keeping the open fields to your right.
Proceed along to its end where you reach your starting point.

Don't litter, Stay safe and ENJOY!

WEEK 1 -RIVER, FIELDS & ANCIENT BATTLES CIRCULAR WALK
A lovely circular route exploring Eaton and Ordsall with travel writer and photojournalist Sally Outram.
What better way to spend a few hours exploring this delightful little corner of North Nottinghamshire, than lacing up those boots and heading off on this super walk which begins in the old village of Ordsall, by All Hallows’ Church.
All Hallows’ Church stands beautifully in the heart of the old village; dating back to the 14th century it has been restored throughout the ages, and in 1823 had extensive repairs to the upper parts of the tower due to being struck by lightning. In 1605 many of the Ordsall parishioners found themselves in turmoil as a they had to stand before the ecclesiastical court for nonattendance at All Hallows’ and instead listening to the preaching’s of John Robinson, who later became a pastor of the Pilgrim Fathers.
The village stands on the edge of the River Idle, and was mentioned in the doomsday book of 1086, when it was referred to as Ordeshale; however evidence of habitation dates back to the Mesolithic period (middle stone age), by way of a flint tool which was found in the village, along with other archaeological finds in villages close by and in the River Idle.
As the river meanders along the south side of the village and provides the perfect environment for wildlife, with parts being Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the area is also a favourite with Bird Watchers as there is always something to see! Following the course of the River, we eventually reach the tiny village of Eaton, which has a long and interesting history, as well as being attractively situated along the bank of the Idle. Eaton is also said to be the site of the Battle of the River Idle in 616, where Anglo Saxon King Raedwald defeated King Aethelfrith of Northumbria.
My favourite spot is the bench by the bridge, it’s a super place to stop for a moment or two…the views are a delight, then along through the village, you can’t help but notice the quintessentially English old phone box, which now houses a small village library, always a photo opportunity!
This is a lovely little walk, and is great to walk most of the year, the fields do get muddy at times, but if you wear the correct footwear, it makes for a good year-round walk!
Happy Ramblings!
Sally

BASICS
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6km)
Severity:                Easy
Gradient: Mostly flat
Approx time: 1 hour 45 mins, allow extra for admiring the views!
Stiles: No
Maps: Explorer 270
Path Info:              Paths, tracks, field edge tracks, some road, riverside
Start Point:           All Hallows’ Church Ordsall –DN22 7TU - SK703797
Parking:                Village
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a lead, be responsible around livestock and in public areas
Public Toilets: No – but if you fancy a tasty pint after your walk, the Gate Inn opposite
the church is just the place!
Refreshments: Gate Inn Ordsall – DN22 7TP

DIRECTIONS

We begin our walk at the lovely All Hallows’ Church. From the church gate, turn right and head towards to bridge, which is a short distance. Just passing the bridge cross over the road, where you will see a green fingerpost by a wooden gate, which leads to a private house. Pass through the gate, following the yellow markers, through another wooden gate onto the river bank.
Proceed along the bankside path, passing residential properties on the right, following the green public footpath signs until you reach a small metal gate. Go through the gate following the public path which passes through the bottom of residential gardens, following the bend of the river until you reach open countryside.
The grassy path now becomes a track, follow the track with the fields to your right until you reach an intersection of paths and trees to your left. Turn left here and follow the track heading towards the river, you will see views over Retford at this point.
Once at the river, take the track to the right which runs along the bankside. Continue to follow the track heading towards the village of Eaton. You will see the church and bridge in the distance.
Continue to the bridge, and take a left turn on to the road and over the bridge. Use caution at this point and be aware of any traffic as it is a narrow bridge. On the opposite side of the bridge, there is a bench overlooking the river with beautiful far reaching views, it’s a perfect place to stop and admire the countryside or a welcomed cuppa from your flask!
After your pit stop, continue along through the village, passing the pretty Church, which nestles behind trees in an elevated position, notice the delightful red brick barns, and the iconic red phone box, which is now the village library and defibrillator station. (A great photo opportunity).
After passing the phone box cross over the road and turn left into a small road, passing a row of pretty cottages and houses, following the round to its end until you reach a field. Continue to walk straight ahead keeping the large white building to your right. You will come to a narrow track between two green wire fences. Proceed along the track following it until you reach the main road.
At the main road, join the footpath and turn left heading towards Retford. You will pass the petrol station on your left. After the petrol station continue along until you reach a white cottage. At the cottage turn left, you will see the pathway signposted. Walk along the path, passing a cottage where you will come to a metal kissing gate.
Go through the gate crossing a small stream, and continue along the grassy track, which is now on the opposite side of the river. At its end, go through the wooden gate and make sure you close it after.
Cross over the road and head left, crossing the bridge and back to the starting point.

Now is the perfect time to explore the church and enjoy a well-earned rest and refreshments at the pub! (when lockdown restrictions are eased).

Tradition red telephone box in the village of Eaton.

River Idle runs by the village of Eaton, through Ordsall and Retford.

You can find more of Sally's walks in her regular walking/outdoors column in one of the UKs most prestigious lifestyle magazines www.madeinn.co.uk/