January 2026 - Gedling Park
A chilly but enjoyable Pathfinder walk around Gedling Country Park this week. Steep hills, limited views (thanks to the weather!), a welcome coffee stop, and even a brief woolly hat mystery along the way. We were also pleased to welcome Julie and Sue, two new starters, and hope to see them again on a future walk. Great company as always.
September 2025 - Pleasley Vale
September saw 21 Pathfinders take part in a gentle 4.5-mile circular walk through the beautiful Pleasley Vale. A warm welcome also goes to Kathy, our newest member.
We set off from the car park on Outgang Lane, heading up a short incline before joining the Bolsover Loop and Archaeological Route, which follows the River Meden to Common Lane. From there, we made our way towards Pleasley Vale Village, turning off to visit the historic St Chad’s Church.
St Chad’s was originally built in 1876 by mill owner Joseph Paget as a simple wooden, gas-lit church, but it was soon rebuilt across the River Meden in brick and stone, complete with a bell tower, organ, and Arts and Crafts interior. Paget, whose fortune came from limestone and coal, also funded a vicar and vicarage, and ensured in his will that the church would be cared for after his death in 1896.
Continuing along the river, we reached Pleasley Vale Business Park, once home to a forge in the 1600s before being converted into cotton mills from 1784 onwards. After devastating fires in 1840 and 1844, the mills were rebuilt due to their importance for local employment. During WWI they even switched to producing munitions. In 1883, Pleasley Vale Mills also became the birthplace of Viyella, the world’s first branded fabric, created by James and Robert Sissons.
Of course, no walk would be complete without refreshments. We stopped at the Mill Catering kiosk, where bacon, sausage, and chip butties were enjoyed, excellent food, great service, and incredible prices. From there, it was just a short stroll back to the car park, rounding off a most enjoyable outing.
August 2025 - South Anston
This month’s route was a moderate six miles, mostly flat with a few short inclines and a total elevation gain of 1,027 ft. Setting off from Aston Parish Hall car park, we crossed the recreation ground and made our way through fields and woodland before entering Anston Stones Woods Gorge. This local nature reserve is a fascinating place, with its shallow caves, limestone rock faces and gnarled tree roots. Covering over 80 acres, the woods are recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their Ash and Elm-dominated woodland, shaped during the Ice Age. Remarkably, bones from Ice Age hyenas, dating back around 125,000 years, were found in Dead Man’s Cave, showing the area was once home to these formidable scavengers.
Our walk continued through meadows and woodland, across Anston Brook and towards the A57, where we admired some very fine houses on the edge of Lindrick Golf Course. From there, we made our way over farmland to the Chesterfield Canal and enjoyed a well-earned refreshment break. Following part of the canal’s Cuckoo Way towpath, we passed the impressive “Triple Lock” staircase before heading into South Anston village. From there, we crossed back over the A57 and returned to our starting point.
July 2025, Bothamsall - History, Wildlife & a Border Collie
A huge thank you to Richard for leading the Pathfinders’ July walk — a scenic and relatively easy 6.6-mile circular routewith only 131 feet of elevation gain (apart from a cheeky little hill near the end!). The route took us through open fields, wooded paths, and a short stretch through the village of Bothamsall.
We began our walk near sweetcorn fields before reaching the ruins of St James’ Chapel, an early Norman site restored in the 14th century with a mortuary chapel added around 1545. Originally a parish chapel, it became a private chapel for Haughton Hall after the 1509 enclosure. Today, the structure stands in a sadly neglected state — but still evokes a strong sense of history.
We continued across open countryside, passing a pig farm where several contented pigs were spotted wallowing happily in the mud — a reminder that they really do know how to keep cool on a warm day! We also passed a flock of chickens before arriving at Conjure Alders. This beautifully wild area, rich with dragonflies and butterflies, takes its name from the Saxon Konigswath – meaning King’s Ford. Historically, this marked the ancient road between Nottingham and York, crossing the Maun and Meden rivers.
Our final leg led us into the village of Bothamsall, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. We took a short break to admire St Peter’s Church, a Grade II listed building dating from the 12th century, before saying hello to the local celebrity — a border collie who loves nothing more than dropping his ball over the fence for passersby to throw!
June 2025 - Moorgreen to Greasley
Today’s Pathfinders 6-mile route started at St. Mary's Church in Geasley. We passed through fields and woodlands, with Beauvale Priory, founded in 1343, on the left, through woodland skirting Moorgreen Reservoir, on to Colliers Wood, the former site of Moorgreen Colliery and back to St. Mary's Church and the stone box tomb of Dr. Benjamin Drawwater, a surgeon's mate on Captain Cook's ship, Resolution.
Thank you, David, for planning and leading the walk, entertaining us with informative facts (we think they were all true haha) and some great dad jokes!
May 2025 - Hardwick Hall
From the Hardwick Inn car park we walked up the hill towards Lady Spencer’s Walk where a new sculpture has been erected to commemorate the location of a horse hospital established at the request of the 6th Duke of Devonshire to enhance the quality of care for estate horses.
The weather was lovely and sunny, if a little windy, but no rain despite earlier predictions. There was a good mix of woodland and open meadows with stunning views of Hardwick Hall, the valley, and surrounding area.
We then took a slight detour deciding to walk through the village of Rowthorne before heading towards the Great Pond with impressive views of Hardwick Hall.
We couldn’t resist stopping to have a picture at another new sculpture referencing The Old Hall which was built on the foundations of the childhood home of Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury in 1590 - 1597. The Old Hall was dismantled by the Dukes of Devonshire in the 1750’s.
Finishing back at the Hardwick In, we had a lovely lunch before heading home.
Thank you to David, for planning and leading this walk.
April 2025 - South Wingfield to Alfreton Circular.
Distance/Time: 5 miles approx 2 1/4 hrs
Starting and end point: Starting and end point: as you drive along Home Road you will pass All Saints Church on your right, approximately 400 metres is a car park on your left, if you pass Taylors Corn Stores you have gone too far!
Standard of walk: Moderately easy
The Pathfinders complete a 5 mile South Wingfield to Alfreton circular walk. From All Saints Church, with great views of Crich and plenty of Bluebells, we walked to Alfreton. A refreshment stop at St. Martin of Tours Parish Church before walking past the golf club and Oakerthoroe Nature Reserve. We also welcomed three new members Atul, Alison and June.
March 2025 - Bottom Moor and Lumsdale Circular
Distance/Time: 5.5 miles approx 2 1/2 hrs
Terrain Type: Mixed including possible wet/boggy areas
Starting and end point: Upper Lumsdale road opposite Highfields School
Standard of walk: Moderate with one steep incline
The Pathfinder group completed a 5.5 mile walk today through Bottom Moor and Lumsdale in glorious sunshine. We welcomed two new members, Jude and Gill as we walked through woodland, fields and country paths. Despite the challenging hills the views across Matlock to Riber Castle were fantastic.
February 2025 - Shining cliff, Alderwasley and Cromford Canal
Distance/Time: 5.8 miles taking 2 3/4 hours.
Starting and end point: Free parking at Cromford Canal car park near "The Family Tree"
Start Time: 10.30 am
Standard of walk: Moderately challenging
February saw the Pathfinder walking group complete a moderately challenging six mile circular route along the Cromford Canal, through Shining Cliff wood and around Alderwasley and Whatstandwell.
As expected it was wet underfoot, but blue skies and sunshine made for a great walk whose highlights included lovely views, varied terrain and some challenging uphill sections.
Starting at Whatstandwell we walked along the Cromford Canal towpath towards Ambergate, crossing over the river Derwent we entered Birches Wood and followed the Betty Kenny Trail past the derelict wire works. From here we climbed through Shining Cliff wood following a rocky downward stream.
On towards Alderwasley and Whatstandwell crossing fields and an uphill climb to the brow of the hill. A tough climb but the reward was a quick snack while taking in the breathtaking views across the valley to Crich Stand.
From here we descended steadily through woodland and fields, passing a beautiful display of snowdrops, a family of sheep having lunch and a sure sign of spring, a yellow flower called a Lesser celandine. We finally arrived back at the Family Tree Restaurant and treated ourselves to some well earned refreshments.
January 2025 - Newstead Abby
Distance/Time: 6.2 miles taking 2 3/4 hours.
Starting and end point: Public parking area opposite "The Pit" bar and cafe, on Tilfors Road
Start Time: 10.30 am
Standard of walk: Easy walk with mainly managed paths, relatively flat with one steady incline.
January 2025 saw a great turn out with 16 Pathfinders, including five new members, enjoying a leisurely 6.2 mile walk in the sunny weather, a welcome treat after the recent grey skies.
A pleasant and peaceful countryside loop that included woodland, fields, great views of the Abbey and plenty of wildlife…have you heard of a Nuthatch before? A pretty bird with an orange breast and blue-grey wings, thank you to Sarah for pointing it out.
After coffee at the Abbey we took in views of the lake in which Byron enjoyed swimming with his dogs, and the waterfall which he describes as a joyful peaceful idyll.
It was great to see so many new faces, as well as the regular walkers, and I hope you can all join us on our next walk which will be on Thursday 27th February, it's a 6 mile challenging walk around Shining cliff, Alderwasley and Cromford Canal.
If anyone would like to join the group or receive more information please visit the Pathfinder page on the u3a website
November 2024 - Sherwood Forest
Distance/Time: 4.7 miles taking 2 hours.
Starting and end point: The Royal Oak, High Street, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, NG21 9QP
Start Time: 10.30 am
Standard of walk: Easy walk with mainly managed paths, relatively flat with one steady incline.
November was our final walk of the year, so to celebrate we started with an easy 4.7 mile circular walk through Sherwood Forest followed by a lovely lunch at the Royal Oak, Edwinstowe.
Welcome to Andrew who joined us for the first time and it was good to see Isobel again after a long time and Richard who joined us for lunch. We hope to see you all in the new year.
The leisurely walk and great meal, or was it the glass of wine, generated so much chatter that we forgot to take a picture of the group, oops!
October 2024 - Roche Abbey
Distance/Time: 5.7 miles taking 3 hours.
Starting and end point: The car park at the top of Firbeck Avenue, Laughton, S25 1YD
Start Time: 10.30 am
Standard of walk: A moderate circular route with a mixture of woodland paths and open fields, relatively flat with a couple of steep hills.
October saw a great turn out with 16 Pathfinders including one new member (welcome Dee), enjoying a leisurely 5.7 mile walk led by Tony who provided lots of interesting and historical facts along the way.
Starting from Laughton-en-le Morthen, we had a short stop at The Church of St John, a grade 1 listed church, which contains a beautifully carved stone coffin from around 1300. From here, we went on to the Church of All Saints with its magnificent 185 foot spire. A walk through woodland and open fields was a little slippery and muddy, but the beautiful and extensive views of the surrounding countryside made it worthwhile.
Descending to Roche Abbey, some chose the stepping stones over the waterfall, while others chose the sensible foot path to the Gate House at Roche Abbey, where some decided that an ice cream was a well deserved treat. After walking the perimeter of the abbey ruins we headed up to the ridge, and walked through open fields with views across Slade Hooton and Brookhouse to Leger Lakes Tearooms, for an enjoyable lunch and more friendly chat.
