Category: Short Walks

On 16 April, the walk set off from St Mary’s Church, Greasley, a medieval parish church rebuilt in the late 19th century after mining subsidence. Paths through Colliers Wood, once shaped by deep coal mining and later reclaimed as green space, led towards Eastwood Hall Park, former grounds of the Walker family and later coal‑industry headquarters. Passing Durban House, built in 1896 as Barber Walker mining offices linked to D. H. Lawrence’s family, the route continued along Victoria Street to the D. H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, his 1885 home. It then followed Walker Street, where the Lawrence family later lived, reached Beauvale Board School, opened in 1878 and attended by Lawrence as a child, before returning on footpaths to Greasley.

On our return some of us paid a visit to ‘The Parish Oven’ café behind the church hall.

The name brings back memories of the local expression that someone with:

‘a mouth like a parish oven’ is imagined as having a mouth that is constantly open and working – talking non-stop and often loudly. 

It’s usually humorous or mildly critical, not a compliment.

The photograph is a relatively new mural on Victoria Street Eastwood near the museum.

21^st May Walk

I’m away and Mark Thornley the long walks group leader has volunteered to lead a local walk. Details will be sent to the group nearer the time.

David Rose

The March walk was a route from Bestwood Country Park which included a circuit of Mill Lakes. Unfortunately, although the paths were drying out, we did find some mud along the way.

However, the weather was much improved with some sunshine and temperatures warm enough for David Wright to slip into his shorts.

April Walk

The April walk is on Thursday 16^th

The walk, a mix of urban and countryside starts from the parking layby outside Greasley Church. It is a variation on a walk we have done before with the addition of a literary theme.

After the walk I can recommend a visit to the Parish Oven Tea Rooms behind the church hall.

Meet at 9.30am for a 9.45am start

Further details will be sent to the group before the 16^th.

David Rose

March Short Walks

The February walk was cancelled due to heavy rain.

The next walk is on Thursday 19th March.

It will be the planned February walk from Bestwood Country Park Car Park

Following the rain the photograph shows the mud and flooding on the path round Mill Lakes last week.

Details will be sent to the group nearer the time.

David Rose

In January we flashed our bus passes on the 9.39am 141 from Linby village. It was on time and the driver seemed pleased to see an extra 22 passengers who got off at Larch Farm.

We started a linear route on the path alongside Kirkby Road before taking the woodland footpath towards Newstead Abbey.

Following a toilet and refreshment stop we continued back to Linby via Papplewick.

Our next walk is on Thursday February 19^th

The location currently depends on conditions underfoot. It will be about 4 miles (rather than the 5 we did in January)

Details will be sent to the group w/c February 9^th.

David Rose

Unfortunately, the December walk was cancelled but we will be doing the same walk to start the 2026 programme.

We will catch the 141 bus at 9.39am in Linby village.

 Alight at Larch Farm followed by a walk back to Linby with a toilet and café stop at Newstead Abbey.

Remember your bus pass.

David Rose