Route and Points of Interest

Care:- This walk in part is along the River Trent. When the river is high some of the footpaths may be impassible and at other times may be muddy. It is advisable to take the walk so that the river section are taken first so that if the footpaths are too wet to pass, this can be identified at an early stage.

1. From the car park by the River Trent follow the road around a right hand bend take the footpath on the left signed to Kneeton and River Trent. Follow the track past a boatyard to your left to the weir.

2. Just past the weir on the left of the footpath there are exposed layers of clay showing the Keuper Marl Clay This type of clay is typical of South East Nottinghamshire and determines the types of plants, trees and shrubs that grow locally. Bands of grey, green and red clay can been seen which were laid down some 190 million years ago.

3. Walk along the side of the Trent through the edge of the woods which rises up on the hills away from the river for approximately one mile to a muddy car parking area under the trees, used by fisherman. (Note: If you wish to take the shorter route, take a right turn up the track away from the Trent for about 400 m and rejoin the walk at point 7 which takes you up to the Kneeton - East Bridgford Road.)

4. From the car park continue along the Trent passing on either side of a large circular depression. The footpath to the left and the track to the right join up the other side and a little further on, turns into a grassed track.

5. After approximately 200 m there is a wooden gate across a track up the hillside to the right at the edge of the woods. At this point you can continue along the Trent or take the footpath to the right the other side of a wooden gate.(Note: This takes you up some 60 steps to the top to a view point over the Trent. The walk can be continued by following the footpath, initially by the side of a field with the woods now to the left and then through an uncultivated area covered by shrubs and small tress for about 400m where it rejoins the route by the riverside a few hundred metres before point 6.)

6. Continue to follow the side of the river until it bends to the right and reaches a metal gate. Go over the stile to the left of the gate and follow the footpath by the side of the hedge up the hill. The footpath then joins a bridleway. This takes you up the side of the hill where magnificent views of the Trent Valley as far as Nottingham can be enjoyed. As you continue along this bridleway you will see the remains of an old windmill to the left and the track widens to around 12 m between hawthorne hedges. Turn left at the end of the track.

7. This track takes you up the hill away from the Trent to the Kneeton to East Bridgford road where you turn right towards East Bridgford.

8. Continue along this road into East Bridgford, passing the Reindeer Inn on the right hand side. The fine village of East Bridgford is based around a road pattern that forms two squares. The spacious Georgian houses and brick cottages give the village a pleasant character. It was once an important centre for brick making using the local clay. Many houses along the Kneeton Road are gable-ended to the road in a medieval manner. This is probably because the houses were built on narrow strips from the open fields. Better access to the rear could be obtained by building in this way.

9. Walk to the crossroads in the middle of the village where the church of St Peter can be found. It is one of the earliest Christian sites in Nottinghamshire dating to Saxon times. The present chancel dates back to 13th century with a 14th century nave. The square tower was rebuilt in 1778. There are medieval tiles in the North chapel.

10. At the crossroads by the church, turn right down the hill down Trent Lane. This pretty lane is very old and is an ancient holloway. It has sunken in the past centuries through the wear caused by horses, carts and people. After approximately 100 m take the footpath that goes off to the left. The path rises above and alongside the road. Go through a small wood and rejoin the road. This is near to the site of East Bridgford Motte and Bailey castle built in the 11th or 12th century. The site overlooks the point of the Trent at Gunthorpe where in ancient times the river could be forded. Several roads converged here including Trent Lane from East Bridgford and the track known as Bridgford Street which connects the old Roman town off Margidunum on the Fosse way which is now underneath a large roundabout near to Bingham! (The only visible evidence of Margidunum remaining are some of the town’s defences which can still be seen approximately 100 m from the roundabout where there is a low bank and ditch.)

11. Proceed down the hill and follow the road to the left returning to the car park.