Marwor one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Marwor here.

A fairly direct route except for a loop imposed by the extremely private Welbeck Estate. Navigation easy from an accurate plot. All well used paths, stiles, perhaps cattle and could be muddy when wet. No services half way so go prepared, use Cuckney or detour to Welbeck centre.

I walked from Worksop through a large selection of busy market stalls lining the main shopping street. Quiet residential roads lead to a crossing of the bypass that would benefit from a central reservation to assist pedestrians.

We now enter countryside and in the past there has been cattle. I very much enjoyed this path popular with locals. A long line of posts have been erected leaving a good wide walking track but with no grazing it will be interesting to see how overgrown it becomes after the fencing is added.

Our path joins a farm track and follows this to enter woodland which eventually takes us to South Lodge. This amazing location marks the start of one of the tunnels constructed by the 5th Duke of Portland. More cut and cover rather than real burrows we follow the line to the extensive lake. Initially fed by the Walling Brook then the infant River Poulter the same water again held back by the Dukes of Newcastle at Clumber.

Having crossed the lake we start our circumnavigation which is well defined by signs clearly confirming we are not permitted plus CCTV to ensure we comply with their request. The paths are tracks are well used so we should be grateful that some access has been permitted.

Approaching the A60 a good path turns left (read on before following) so I take this which initially follows the busy road just inside the field. This looks good until it turns away from the road and heads for the visitor centre with no link to the road so do not use. Join the A60 where a pavement is on the opposite side. There is also a path behind the hedge here but I didn’t use it.

I had planned to avoid some of the road walking by a visit to Holbeck village and church so spotted the end of the above well walked path as I turned onto the lane, see picture. The tree lined drive that passes the church was well worth the detour and the church offered a good spot for lunch (that’s a packed lunch).

The exit road offers a direct link to our escape from the A60 and passes the impressive village hall perhaps a little OTT for the size of the settlement so now used by the tennis club. The drive here is again tree lined, they like their Limes at Welbeck, so it’s more easy walking and very quiet.

At the grand gate lodge we enter fields while the Robin Hood Way which we have been following in part continues east to Norton. At Cuckney a seat offers a fine vista across the water meadow to the church. There are services here, The Greendale Oak and Jac’s Cafe the latter is opposite the smart Community Garden where there are seats. The school building a former corn then cotton water mill stands on the edge of the village alongside the mill pond. This expanse of water may also have been used to control flow to the water meadow.

The improved path alongside the pond is not our route, so take care to climb over mill hill, site of a windmill another old source of power used here. The road crossing needs a little care then follow a track but look out for the sign to enter a field then woodland. Here the ground is sand and gravel so should dry out quickly.

The approach path offers a view of our destination or at least Church Warsop and here I think the route could be improved via the churchyard and riverside path away from the road. Meeting place is good for services and onward buses. A most enjoyable walk.

I walked this route from Worksop in January. It begins on quiet pavements through the town centre and a housing estate. After crossing the A57 by-pass there is a section through fields and woods to eventually emerge onto the Robin Hood Way (RHW) at South Lodge. From here it turns west along the RHW to reach the A60. There is a short distance of concessionary path to reach the entrance to the car park and Harley Gallery (refreshments). The route uses the pavement alongside the A60 southwards for three-quarters of a mile before turning into Welbeck Abbey grounds rejoining the RHW. This section is surfaced but there is a wide verge if something softer underfoot is desired.
At the Bunkers Hill Lodge house our route leaves the RHW and turns through a wicket gate onto a hedge-side footpath. Across the lane and back onto the footpath to reach the slopes overlooking Cuckney Church and the water meadows. We follow quiet roads through the village (refreshments) as far as the school and the climb through the wood to reach the A632. Across the road and onto a rising farm lane, veering off on a footpath towards the woodland at the top of the hill. Over the hill through the partially felled woodland and then a long descent through the fields to reach the A60 approaching Church Warsop. From here roadside pavements take us to the town centre hub.
An enjoyable walk with mixed terrain. Even after recent heavy rain it was fairly clean underfoot.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.