This month our short (4 mile) walk was planned and led by Phil and Liz Attenborough who write:
A small but select group of walkers braved the threat of rain and enjoyed a very pleasant walk round Martins Pond, Harrison’s Plantation and the Raleigh Pond Nature Reserves at Wollaton, before venturing into Wollaton Park.
Not many people are aware of these ponds, but they are well worth a visit, they all have connections with the old Nottingham Canal.
PS it didn’t rain until we got back to Hucknall!
Our thanks to Liz and Phil.
The next walk on Thursday 17th September will be led by Mark Thornley
Our July walk was a semi-urban 4.5-mile stroll from Nottingham Train Station.
We followed the canal before crossing over Trent Bridge, continued past the rowing clubs and the Forest City Ground, passing under lady Bay Bridge to reach the new made in Hucknall ‘Briton’ bridge.
This new footbridge over the Trent adds a clean, modern sweep to the riverside, linking paths and communities on across the river. Its elegant curves frame the water beautifully, giving walkers and cyclists a safer, more scenic route. A simple structure, but a real boost to the areas character and accessibility.
We met a school group on the crossing who had made models of the structure support chains which they spread out along the bridge.
We crossed the bridge and returned on paths alongside Nottingham Racecourse and a footpath on an old railway line towards Sneinton reaching the station for a welcome coffee stop.
August Walk
On Thursday 20th August we follow the bridge theme to visit Bennerley Viaduct.
The Bennerley Viaduct café was opened on Saturday 18 July 2026, alongside the newvisitor centre. It serveslocally sourced refreshments and sits within a Corten‑clad building inspired by historic railway carriages. The centre includes toilets, exhibitions, and education space, completing the long‑awaited accessible route across the viaduct. Our walk will cross the viaduct and take the opportunity to visit the café.
Details will be sent out the weekend of the 15th of August.
On June 18th our walk started from the car park at Burntstump.(Approx. 4.5 miles)
From the car park we made a full circuit of the cricket pitch. From the far side we followed the path out to Rigg Lane, then continued downhill to join the broad track of the old railway line. This straight, level section led to Sansom Woods following the main path through the trees.
To return we picked up the Robin Hood Way as it wound back through mixed woodland, returning past the Rugby Ground before neatly arriving back at the car park.
July 16th Walk
This will be an urban walk taking the tram into Nottingham to walk to the new made in Hucknall ‘Briton Bridge’ over the River Trent.
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.
21st 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.
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 16th
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 16th.
