Refreshments on or close to the route
Calverton
The Gleaners - Bar Snacks
The White Lion - Bar Snacks

Woodborough
The Four Bells - Lunches

Lambley
Woodlark Inn - Bar Snacks
The Robin Hood and Little John - Bar Snacks
Nags Head - Hot & Cold foods

Route and Points of Interest

1. The walk starts from the car park at Calverton. Framework knitting was the old industry here and there are several good examples of framework knitting cottages just off Main Street with their large, wide windows to allow good light for the work. The importance of hosiery declined to be taken over by coal mining. Proceed in the direction of Lowdham down Main Street towards the parish church. Much of the church is Georgian with a 18th century nave and tower and a 19th century chancel. Just after the Gleaners public house, turn left down Park Road East. Take the 5th turning on the right down Crookdale Lane. After approximately 400m the road turns into an unmade track where Carrington Lane turns off. When the track bends to the right, take the footpath on the left by the side of a culvert between wire fencing. Cross over the small wooden bridge and continue to follow the stream until you reach a metal gate where you turn right.

2. Follow this path back to the main road - now called Bonner Lane where you turn left. Walk past Spring Water Golf Club and take the public footpath to the right by the side of the Golf Club’s car park. This takes you straight up the hill between the golf links. At the top turn left and and after 100m go through the wooden gate down the farm track between hedges to the right. Continue down this long lane into Woodborough. Woodborough is of interest as this is where the stocking knitting frame was invented by thr Rev. William Lee, curate of Calverton around 1589. Elisabeth I refused to grant him a patent possibly because of the threat of large job losses and he was forced to try to obtain support in France. Lee died in 1610 and his brother James brought the frame back to England where it finally accepted and the hosiery industry established itself in the Midlands. Further development of the machine lead to the formation of the lace industry in Nottinghamshire. At the T junction with the Four Bells Inn on the right turn left down the main road. The walk may be shortened by turning right along the main road and rejoining the route at point 6.

3. Pass the parish church of St. Swithan which dates back to 1335 and continue down the main street until you reach the COOP late shop. Take the footpath by the side of the car park which passes in front of a row of small cottages. The footpath crosses allotments and then cross the style to a playing field. Go around the left hand edge of the playing field to find a small wood bridge which you cross into a field. Follow the bridleway along the field boundary to the right. Initially by the side of the stream with old pollarded willows and then at the end of the field turn right up the farm track still following the field boundary slightly up hill. At the end of the field turn right down the bridleway by the side of the stream. The bridleway follows the stream gradually up hill where you go through the wooden gate at the top of the field and continue straight across the field to cross into the next field where you turn right. after 50m you will reach a road with wide verges where you turn left toward Lambley. At the bottom of the hill take the footpath to the right by the side of the Woodlark Inn or continue straight on if you wish to explore Lambley. The village dates back to Roman times. The village is established in a valley with a stream called Cocker Beck running through.There are also several springs around the village. The manor of Lambley was granted to the Cromwell family after the Norman conquest. The village is the birthplace of Lord Cromwell, treasurer of England at the time of Henry VI. Although the original church in Lambley was built in 1150 AD the present church was constructed in 1480 by Lord Cromwell. Many cottages in the village date back to the 18th century when the framework knitting industry was established. The stocking trade was equally important for over 80 years and at its height in 1890’s a power driven factory was established.

4. This footpath from the Woodlark Inn runs alongside a lovely old stream. After 400m you will reach the pretty Dumbles Cottage with red pantiled roof. Pass the red telephone box (not in use) and after 30m go over the wooden style on the right into a field. You will see 6 trees in a line. The footpath passes across the field through the middle of the line of trees to a style on the other side. Many of these fields have a distinctive ridge and furrow pattern. Now keeping to the left hand field boundary, follow the footpath to a wooden style next to a metal gate which you cross into the next field. Continue to follow the left hand field boundary to cross another wooden style next to a metal gate. Follow the hedge for about 30m, then cross the field to reach a metalled road where you turn left. Follow the road (Lightwood Lane) down the hill for 700m to another bend in the road. Continue straight on at this bend by taking the footpath. Follow the footpath for 500m until you reach the busy Nottingham to Woodthorpe Road where you turn right.

5. Follow the road into Woodthorpe until you reach a T junction. Take the left turn towards Calverton. Follow the main road back to Calverton and immediately take the footpath to the left.

6. The footpath follows a stream for 1.5 kilometres where you take the footpath to the right past Woodborough Park and after one kilometre up to Fox Wood. The small Iron age hillfort can still be seen at the edge of the wood. Pottery from roman times has been found here and it is believed that the inhabitants may have stayed here under Roman rule. At the edge of the wood turn right along the bridleway. This ridgeway track is part of a prehistoric trackway. The earlier settlers felt safer following the ridges than the valleys. After 400m take the footpath to the left which takes you back after about ½ kilometre back to the edge of Calverton. Continue in a straight line across a small grassed area and down Renals Way back to the car park.