Donington On Bain - 29th January 2011

29th January 2011 - Donington On Bain
(Pathfinder guidebook Lincolnshire & The wolds Walk #14 - 6 Miles)
(Donington and the Bain Valley)

Donington On Bain is about 8 Miles south West of the market town of Louth in Lincolnshire.

We parked in the centre of the village on the roadside opposite the church mentioned in the

guidebook and this was the start point for the walk.

The day was cold (about 2 Deg) but clear and crisp with blue sky and occasional sunshine.

The ground was fairly frozen in places with puddles all frozen over, though it was thawing and still muddy in many places.

We set off through the village crossing over the road and over a stile along an enclosed track. This we followed for about a mile with a steady uphill gradient up onto the wold-top ridge.

At the top of the ridge to the right of the junction there is a disused NATO radar station which was decommissioned in the early 1990`s.

Following the wold top we had good clear views all around across the Bain valley.

We could see the distant silouette of Lincoln Cathedral.

We enjoyed the walk along the ridge top and the fine views for a couple of miles before descending into the hamlet of Gayton Le wold, passing by a small brick Victorian church.

From here we crossed more open fields and the giant and semmingly ever-present Belmont transmitter mast.

We passed by the deserted medieval village of Biscathorpe and St.Helens Church below.

The final 2 miles follows the very narrow river Bain, and at one point this is dammed to create a lake with plenty of wildlife and would no doubt be grown up with plants in summer months.

today it was part frozen, but the Sunshine and remains of the plants had their own beauty.

From here the way back to Donington on Bain was an easy walk along the river tracks, before once again alighting in the village and its splendid church

All in all a nice walk on a cold but bright and clear winter January day.

Fine views across the wolds form the ridge top, and a few points of interest (several churches, a radar station and of course the ever present Belmont tranmsitter mast)

Our Walk Score: 6.5/10

Peak District January 24th 2011

Peak District 24th January 2011
Bakewell, Chatsworth Park & the River Wye
(Pathfinder White Peak guidebook - Walk 27) 10 Miles

We arrived in Bakewell town centre around 10:15, and parked in a pay and display near the town centre (not the main cattle market one we usually use but one near to this).

It was Monday, which means it was market day and busy. Parking was £4 all day.

We set off from the car park around 10:30 after a hasty loo stop (loos are about 100 yards away back towards the river and town).

Initially following the river bank near the town centre, and crossing an old stone road bridge cross the river Wye.

This led us up Castle Hill noting the former station and old station masters house.

This then led out onto a muddy track and into a bluebell wood (no bluebells at this time of year!).
The day was dull and cloudy about 5 Deg C, and after all the previous snow a few weeks ago and some rain, it was pretty muddy underfoot.

One thing to note here is that you will cross a golf course, and there is a bell (complete with hammer) to ring to warn the golfers that you are going to cross. Hopefully this avoids a golf ball to the side of the head!! (Ring loudly, give a good clout with the hammer!)

The going is a steady climb along lanes and track to about 1200ft with quite nice views around, eventually arriving at the estate village of Edensor.

This was purpose built by the 6th Duke of Devonshire between 1838 & 1842 to replace the original village, which spoiled the outlook across the park from Chatsworth House.

You will note that all the house features and general architecture are similar, and you pass by a rather nice looking church. Enjoy!

Crossing over the road you now enter Chatsworth park over grassy estate land with plenty of benches to eat a pack up. (Which is exactly what we did!). Once stopped it was quite cold though, despite hot tomato soup. We ate quickly and pressed on down to the banks of the river Derwent, the old stone bridge and Chatswoth House. Photo Stop.

We continued on across the estate grassland, arriving at a large car park, following on to a garden centre at Carlton Lees and a lane past this.

At the edge of Rowsley village you will see the old disused railway bridge, which you go through
past a farmyard and onto another lane.

Here we saw these cows and hens and some small calfs in enclosures.

Coming out of Rowsley the path became quite muddy again, and began to rise with a stretch of walking uphill for a while.

Once this section was finished, the way opened out into more open fields though again quite muddy. Here it was easy to follow the (muddy) paths back to Bakewell, coming out at the cattle market and back into the town again.

Distance was around 10 miles. Some inclines at the beginning and towards the end but not too bad. A reasonable lowish level walk with the highlights of the estate village of Edensor, Chatsworth house and some reasonable (but not spectacular) views across open countryside.

A good start to 2011. (and the rain held off!!)

Total time was 4hrs 45mins 10:30 - 15:15

Our Walk Score : 6.5/10