Colston Bassett and Kinoulton

Car Parking – Mackleys Bridge, two car parks, ///collect.swatting.darts  ///wimp.pleasing.vouch or Wilds Bridge ///briefer.shrug.puncture

Distance – 6 miles / 10 kilometres

Terrain – Country lanes, tracks, bridleways and towpath; includes one gentle climb

OS Explorer Map – No. 260 Nottingham

Park at Mackleys Bridge in the lay-by. What 3 Words ///collect.swatting.darts

Or a few metres away in the car park. What 3 Words ///wimp.pleasing.vouch

Alternatively, you could begin the walk at Wilds bridge in the lay-by.  What 3 Words ///briefer.shrug.puncture

Note there is no parking at Spencers bridge – lay-by does not exist.

Starting at Mackleys bridge, join the towpath on the same side as the parking areas and follow the canal to Spencers bridge. Along the way you will pass a quirky old wooden bridge.

When you reach the Spencers bridge join the road and turn left (Oddhouse farm will be to your rear). Follow the road for about half a mile to reach a junction, turn left and cross over to the pavement on the opposite side.

Follow this road for about 100 metres to reach ‘New Road’ (signposted Cropwell Bishop and Langar) on the right-hand side (ignore the private road just before this turning).

Follow the road as it gently rises (a wooded area to your left) to reach a footpath sign on the right and enter through the metal gate. A grassed track leads to the ruins of St Marys church on your right. Go through a small gate on your right to enter the churchyard.

 

It is ok to enter the ruins. Walk through the churchyard following the path downhill to exit through a gap in the hedge to rejoin the grassed track.

Continue downhill crossing a bridge over a stream. Keep ahead to the right hand corner of the cricket pavilion (partially obscured by a tree), follow the path around to the rear of the pavilion and then continue onwards close to the hedge line on your left. Colson Bassett Hall can be glimpsed through the trees to your right.

At the end of the field you will come to a concrete bridge across the river Smite.

Continue to the road, turn right and walk into Colston Bassett passing the church of St John the Divine on your left.

Further on you will come to the village cross.

Bearing left, follow the road past the Martins Arms pub (on your right). The tarmac road stops and becomes unsurfaced. Continue onwards, ignoring two footpath signs indicated to the right and left.  Pass through the metal gate and enter the field. Follow the footpath with the river Smite on your left.

Eventually, at the far end of the field, cross the river at a concrete bridge. Continue onwards and shortly a wooden footbridge will bring you into another field. Look for the small tree in the field and cross the field passing the tree aiming for the houses beyond.

You will come to a road with Hall Farm on the right. Follow the road down into Kinoulton and The Neville Arms at the village green.

 

Now turn right and follow Main Street through Kinoulton village. Shortly after passing St Lukes church on your right, turn right on to the towpath.

Continue along the towpath to reach Irish Jacks Bridge and the poplar tree avenue leading to Vimy Ridge.

Stay on the towpath crossing the road at Wilds bridge and eventually arriving back at Mackleys Bridge – the start of the walk.