Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: February 2023

Stathern, Belvoir Ridge and Castle, 26th February 2023

This mosaic sign in the centre of Stathern has a different design on each face. The south face shows the old windmill, the church and the Vale Engineering works and the north face the church, the old vicarage and the school

Steve G's 8½ mile walk took twenty five ramblers through Stathern Village and up to Stathern Wood on excellent, dry tracks in fine weather to join the Jubilee Way along the Belvoir Ridge. After admiring the fine views to the north across the Vale of Belvoir we reached Reeded Cottage, a 19th century gamekeeper's house on the Belvoir Estate before dropping down off the Leicestershire Wolds escarpment to head for the Engine Yard and the entrance to Belvoir Castle. Lunch was taken near fields which once were planted with elderflower trees before rejoining the Jubilee way back to Stathern.

Steve starts the walk near the Plough Inn, Stathern

Fine old building, Vale Engineering Works

Saint Guthlac's Church

Quick descent to the stream before climbing up to the Belvoir Ridge

Stathern Wood

View across the Vale

Carrie stands guard in case of invasion

In 1588 , a chain of beacons was laid throughout the land ready to give the alert at the first sight of the Spanish Armada. Belvoir, being the highest point in Leicestershire was one of these sights. This hill is still called Beacon Hill. The occasion was immortalised in the poem by Lord Macauley (1832):

And Belvoir's lordly terraces

The sign to Lincoln sent

And Lincoln sped the message

On o'er the wide Vale of Trent

Snowdrops

Reeded Cottage

Dropping down off the Leicestershire Wolds escarpment

Approaching the entrance to the Castle

The Engine Yard developments

And back to Stathern

Waltham, Croxton, Branston and Goadby, 19th February 2023

Steve led nine ramblers on an 11 mile walk starting at the north end of Waltham on the Wolds. The group crossed fields to the Bescaby NATS Beacon that guides planes to East Midlands Airport, passing the restored Bescaby Gallops, and on to Croxton Kerrial for coffee. A long track led to Branston where the footpath through the Wheel Inn took the group to Eaton for lunch. The afternoon saw us head to the edge of Goadby Marwood before turning to return to Waltham. Some enjoyed a welcome pint at the well-known Royal Horseshoes pub at the finish.

Steve gives us a briefing at our start point on Mere Road, Waltham

Bescaby NATS Beacon

Bescaby Gallops

Coffee in the garden of the village shop

Steve leads the way

Footpath through the Wheel Inn, Branston

Steps on the embankment of the abandoned Baulk Pit Ironstone Quarry

St Denys churchyard - lunch

St Mary Magdalene, Waltham

Royal Horseshoes, Waltham

Scalford, Eastwell, Goadby and Wycomb,12th February, 2023

An excellent turnout (22) on Rab's 8 mile undulating walk south of the Belvoir Ridge today starting from St Egelwin's Church, Scalford. Click here to see John J's Relive video and photos.

Epperstone to Halloughton Beck, 5th February 2023

Today's 6-mile walk was led by Southwell Ramblers and took 12 VBR members from the Village Hall in Epperstone up to high ground in the direction of Halloughton. We crossed several becks and dumbles which drain south east down to Thurgarton or Fiskerton before joining the Trent.

The walk, one of three led by Southwell, was followed by the Area AGM.