Sensing we might be experiencing one of the last decent days of sunshine and mild weather this year, the wife and I set out yesterday afternoon on a circular walk following part of the Trent Valley Way just north of Newark on Trent. You should be able to follow the route from the map below:
Parking was easy in the village of Winthorpe and we followed the road through the village to a dead end with a large turn around point on the south side where National Cycle Route 64 crosses the A1.
From here we walked through the picturesque village and past All Saints Church, which stands out from those in surrounding villages being constructed as it is from brick.
We turned left at a fork in the road opposite the Lord Nelson Pub and continued through the remaining houses and out to a level crossing.
Just beyond the level crossing the route leaves the road on the left and follows a raised embankment running parallel to the river.
The route is rarely very close to the river but still offers some great views particularly back towards Newark where the sugar beet factory could be seen in its first full weekend of production.
As the route approaches Cromwell Lock and Weir it becomes less obvious and there is a temptation to move close to the river where fisherman's cars are parked; however, the actual route follows the embankment in order to stay the right side of a small tributary.
Just beyond a kissing gate the route emerges from the long grass and turns back in towards the river where a good view behind to the actual weir can be had. Although the river was low there was still a good flow of water over the weir and we could actually taste the water vapour in the air.
Five hundred metres or so further on and the route turns east along a much used and sadly littered farm track. The track winds a little before turning south near Westfield Farm. Beyond the farm the tarmac drive changes to a grass track and follows the hedge to a footpath T junction.
A left turn took us along a path skirting the long disused gravel pits, which now team with wildlife.
Through a short section of woods and we were on National Cycle Trail 64.
The trail then snakes towards a country lane and follows another lane for 2 miles before entering the village of Winthorpe near the level crossing where we originally set off along the Trent.
And the last stop on the way, The Lord Nelson Pub in Winthorpe village.
On the whole a very pleasant walk, which was relatively well signposted, with the only exception being the section before Cromwell Lock and Weir where careful reference to the OS map will need to be made and the going can be a little difficult over the long grass. Total distance 9.75 miles.
