Route and Points of Interest
Care:-Parts of this walk may be muddy.

1. From Westhorpe, go down the road away from Southwell. Westhorpe is a pretty hamlet which probably has farming origins dating back to before medieval times. Some of the original 17th century farmhouses although now obscured by modern brickwork can be recognised as they have been built on stand at right angles to the street on long narrow plots associated with old farming methods. In more recent times Westhorpe was associated with the framework knitting industry. This industry grew following the invention of the mechanical knitting frame in 1589 by the Rev. Lee of nearby Calverton. By 1780 the industry was in decline. In 1844 there were over 200 frames worked in and around Southwell. Many workers were compelled to work for very low wages as there was little other work in the Southwell area. Westhorpe Hall, not visible from the main road, was the home of the Clays who were the principal family in Westhorpe going back to 1392. Lady Burrell married into the Clay family in 1797 and was an acclaimed playright and poetess. Later the house was owned by General Warrand of the Indian mutiny. When you reach crossroads with two farm tracks with the main road going off to the right, continue straight on down the farm track. The left hand lane (Bath Lane) leads to the site of the now disused St Catherine Well which is approximately 200 m from the cross roads.

The well dated back to medieval times and its pure and cold waters were considered to be useful to cure several ailments including rheumatism. Continue to follow the track until it turns off to the right between hedges, still continue in a straight line keeping to the footpath by the right hand side of the hedge. This continues up hill where you will find the path going down two steps and then up 3 steps into the next field. The path continues to follow the right hand field boundary until you come to a metalled road with a cattle grid. New Radley Farm can be seen to the left.

2. Go right over the cattle grid and then turn left down the marked footpath over a wooden style into a field. Although the footpath is indistinct, follow the left hand field hedge to the end of the field where you will find a gate.

3. Go through the gate and through a long thin field keeping to the left. There is a very clear ridge and furrow pattern in the field dating back to pre-enclosure times when the open field system of farming was used. At the end of the field go through two metal gates following the footpath along the hedge on the right. At the end of the field go through gate under the power lines and bear right towards a small wood then follow the field edge keeping to the right alongside the wood and then over a single style to a track up to Cotmoor. About one mile away is Old Holbeck Farm. This is a possible site for the vanished medieval village of Radley or Radleigh thought to be in the Cotmoor area. The village may have been hit by a natural disaster such as plague. There is a legend that the ghostly sound of the village church bells can be heard at a certain spot every year on Christmas morning!

4. Turn left down the track which after approximately 200 metres the path narrows into a footpath passing through the edge of Halloughton Wood.This track follows the old parish boundary mentioned in the Southwell Charter of 956 AD. The number of species of trees along side the track identify it as being very old. Although there are few dwellings along this isolated boundary, there used to be a cottage at the edge of Halloughton Woods with its own well. This part of the walk can be very muddy and no doubt the original parish boundary followed the driest route used to walk between Halloughton Woods and South Hill. When the path leaves the wood into a field continue in the same direction along the bridleway alongside the hedge on the right. The Minster can be seen in the distance. At the end of a short field turn right and continue to follow the bridleway along a track alongside the hedge to the left of the field. Continue under power lines into the next field. At the end of this field the bridleway crosses between the hedges so that the hedge is now on your right. The path joins the road by Stubbins Farm. Continue to follow this road which joins a metalled road. ackenhurst agricultural college can be seen in the near distance. Go straight on for about 100m and take the bridleway to the left.

5. Go through the gate along the bridleway keeping to the left side of the field. Go through the gate at the end of the field and continue to follow the field boundary. At the end of the field follow the path to the right and then left over a small wood bridge into the next field up Cundy Hill. The footpath runs alongside the hedge on the right of the field. Go through a gap into the next field, continue to keep to the right edge of the field. Fine views of the Minster can be enjoyed from the path.Then continuing in the same direction, cross the field to the edge of the wood and continue in a straight line along the side of the wood keeping it to your left for just 30 metres before taking the footpath to the left down a bank to a concrete footbridge over Westhorpe Dumble. Although the stream is small, it has cut a deep channel through the soft Keuper Marl. A wide variety of plant species can be found along the banks of the dumble. Go over a style into the next field with the footpath following the hedge on the right. Go through a gate at the end of the field over a concrete bridge and then follow the footpath between gardens back to the main road at Westhorpe.