OUT AND ABOUT
The Jewel of the Dukeries
Tony and Stephanie Swaby of Dearne Valley Rambler Photos: John Watson
A lovely 9.5mile circular walk around Clumber Park, Worksop, perfect for a springtime meander
Start: Free parking and café across from Apleyhead Lodge entrance to Clumber Park, off A614 (S80 3NU). For National Trust members, free parking at Clumber Park itself.
Leave the car park and make for the Apleyhead Lodge entrance in front. Cross the busy road with care and enter the park, walking down the left-hand side grass verge until you reach a wide pathway, blocked by a barricade on your left. This signals the entrance to the official start; this is limited to walkers and is predominantly a cycle path, be aware of this at all times.
At the lakeside path turn right so that the lake is on your left hand side until you reach the cafeteria area. Pass through the low barrier and bear left when you reach the road with the lake still to your left. Take the first left hand path followed by the next left hand path, keeping the lake to your left and continue walking the meandering path. Carry on until you come to a large camping field on the left and turn left again. Pass through an arched gateway, emerging onto the lake embankment. Turn right and walk along the terraced area until you reach the main parklands, very near to where Clumber House once stood.
Clumber House, initially built in the mid 18th
The initial route is marked by cyclists’ peg numbers, beginning very close to peg 13. Walk along the path towards the wooded area, away from Lime Tree Avenue - one of the park’s claim to fame. Planted in 1840 in a double row formation, 1,296 lime trees cover a length of two miles, making it the longest double avenue of lime trees in Europe.
Head anti-clockwise towards peg no.12 and remain on the main path. Don’t be distracted by others leading off regularly. Keep on walking until you come to peg No. 11. You will also see a number 7 attached, this is the route you should take; you are now heading towards the interior of the park and the lake.
The path ends when it reaches the tarmac surface, the main road leading into Hardwick Village where most of the estate workers live. There are estate houses on your right at this point, together with ones across the road. Turn left here, cross the road and walk down the grass verge on the other side.
At the bottom of the hill the main road bends to the left; instead, take the right hand road with the farm buildings adjacent to it. Here is a parking area where with toilet and refreshment facilities.
century, was demolished in 1938 when the lands were left to the people of Worksop by the Duke of Newcastle. The site was later acquired by the National Trust in 1946. The 10th and last Duke, Edward Pelham-Clinton, died without male heirs in 1988, meaning the Dukedom, which once owned Welbeck Abbey, Bolsover Castle, Nottingham Castle and Ranby Hall, became extinct after almost a thousand years. To your right you will notice the imposing Church of St. Mary The Virgin. Built between 1886 and 1889 by the 7th Duke, the mock-Gothic design is a grade I listed building and is still used for Sunday worship. At the time of its construction it cost £30,000, around £2,893,190 today. In front of the church there are further toilets with picnic benches scattered around this area. Appreciate the grandeur of the hall in the old stable block where there is a scale model of the old hall. The National Trust Shop nearby is also worth a visit.
When you restart, head back down the embankment onto the main grassed area. Walk diagonally to the right to the lower level with the lake still to your left. Pass through a gate and join the tarmac road, walking away from the buildings. On reaching a low barrier, turn left onto the sloping path. Pass through the wooded area until you will reach a red bricked building.
The path then passes to the left into a narrowed area with a secret ice store hiding in the distance. Carry on until you reach the road and turn left, crossing over the 18th century ornate stone bridge. Take the left hand path, passing by a lake where you will find a multitude of bird life. Join the main road into a parking area –at this
34
aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
point the walker has a choice of two routes. The first leading off to the left forms the main walking path of the lake. The other, branching off to the right, leads away from the lake. Although it adds a further mile to the overall walking distance, the beautiful landscape and panorama makes it worthwhile. Both paths later connect, taking you in the general direction of the walk. Let’s take the right hand path, walking up a slight incline until you reach an open area to your right. Pass through the swivel gate and follow the grassy path. Here you will have a wonderful view of the St. Mary’s Church.
Stay firmly on the main path, passing through the park. This eventually drops down to a fenced area where you should then turn right. Leading back to the lake, carry on along this path. The path emerges onto a cycle route, pass through the gate, turn right and walk along the wide path, watching out for cyclists. Pass through another gate and stick to the cycle route which emerges onto the path around the lake. Walk to the right while the path arcs to the left, eventually passing across the bridge above the weir. You will then come to the same refreshment kiosk that you encountered on the outward journey. The route will then return via the same one that brought you to this point heading back towards peg no.13.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
