Todwick Ramblers Club Walks: 2025
27th March 2025
14 Todwick Ramblers turned up for this extra walk to see the new £1/2 million Trans Pennine Trail bridge.The warm sunny morning was just right for a leisurely walk. We walked up the old railway line that is now the TPT to the new bridge and had an early stop for snacks.
Several members had not seen the new canal basin so walked up for a look, most were impressed by the new cafe and shops being build there. We retraced our steps and stopped for a photo shoot under the bridge, Brian gave us demonstration of stunt riding on an abandoned bike very impressive. We then walked along the original route of the canal which will be reinstated in the future. We had a chat with some of the canal trusts volunteers who are doing some clearance work who gave us some information about the canal.
20th March 2025
On the first day of Spring and the warmest day of the year so far, sixteen lucky walkers and two dogs set off on a walk of around 5.5 miles from Bolsover Castle.
After descending on field paths, we soon arrived at the model village of New Bolsover. This was one of the country’s first mining villages built in the late 19th century on garden city lines. The philanthropic coal mine owner aimed to give his workers good housing standards and sports outlets. We then continued into the Peter Fidler and Carr Vale Flash nature reserves, stopping briefly at the monument paid for by the citizens of Canada in honour of Mr Fidler, born in from 1769 and originally from Bolsover. He was a highly respected map maker, surveyor and Chief Scout for the Hudson Bay Trading Company.
We passed a number of ponds and viewing points in the reserves and then joined the tree-lined Stockley Trail, a former railway line, for around a mile. Then leaving the Trail, we tackled the gradual, at first, climb on field paths up the valley side. Nearing the top of the now steeper climb, we paused a few times to admire the views and recover our breaths before emerging at the hilltop village of Palterton where we stopped on benches for our snacks and drinks.
The final 1.5 miles were on level field and urban paths, with distant views, taking us back to the Castle and to well-earned refreshments in the local pub restaurant.
8th February 2025
It was a grey, drizzly day when 12 of the regular walkers, plus Oscar the dog, assembled on Main Street in Sprotborough. Fortunately the cold wind of the previous day had abated and the skies cleared. We took a footpath down to the river, the flight of steps the easiest and best I have ever encountered on a walk.
Then a very pleasant stretch of path alongside the River Don, with snowdrops flowering amongst the ivy of the hill. We were interested to see how trees had fallen into the river and taken a considerable part of the river bank with them.
Steps took us up to a disused railway line, we had a short break and looked down on the river. This path is now part of the Trans Pennine Trail, a broad level path which is well surfaced and shaded by hedges and trees on both sides, so easy, comfortable walking. After a mile and a half we left the path and headed towards Cusworth Hall. A short, steep hill took us up to the Hall, where there were toilets and a cafe, also plenty of seats, a convenient place to stop for lunch.
After about 20 minutes we set off again, down to the lakes and over a field path to Sprotborough, passing through a tunnel under the motorway. Then along various streets in the village back to our cars.
An interesting and varied walk of just over 5.5 miles.
Marion Brassington