Kirklington Station, Halam and Edingley, 11th February 2024

 Elaine's walk took 14 members from the small car park at Kirklington Station, along the Southwell Trail as far as Maythorne and then branched off to pass into Norwood Park for a coffee stop.  Then it was on to Westhorpe, Halam and then Edingley for lunch followed by a short walk along Edingley Beck back to the start

Elaine briefs the walkers

Loading gauge seen near the start.  It represents the maximum size for rolling stock to allow clearance under bridges and between tracks, especially on corners.  Thanks John

Station buildings

The Southwell Trail is 7.5 miles long and was built on the former line of the Midland Railway. It stretches from Southwell to Bilsthorpe and passes the villages of Farnsfield, Kirklington and Maythorne

Maythorne Mill on the River Greet, built in 1785 as a cotton mill to supply the local framework knitting industry with yarn.  It became a silk mill in the 19th century

Norwood Hall - now a wedding venue

One of many fields of the famous Bramley Apple trees in Norwood Park

Another common crop nearby - Miscanthus

The 12th century Norman church of St Michael the Archangel, Halam

Halam Church

Forge Cottage and The Old Forge, Gray Lane, Halam near the bridge over Halam Beck

Avoiding the mud - a diversion down Newhall Lane towards Greaves Lane

St Giles' Church, Edingley - lunch

Wall painting outside Loft Handmade, opposite the church

Today's 6.8 mile walk (in blue) avoiding a broken bridge over Halam Beck and some of the mud (in green)