Gunthorpe, River Tent and Caythorpe, 9th June 2025

 A very pleasant stroll in glorious sunshine started at The Unicorn Hotel in Gunthorpe and took ten members past Gunthorpe Lock and along the River Trent to cross the Dover Beck where it meets the Trent.  Leaving the river on field paths, we reached Caythorpe and the site of its water mill, now a private residence.  More field paths took us back to Gunthorpe.

Trent ketches were built specifically for use on the Newark Navigation. They were able to travel long distances and could transport cargoes up to 40 tons between Newark and the seaports. Coal, grain and stone were the main cargoes carried.

View across to Gunthorpe Weir and the gypsum beds in the cliffs near Radcliffe

Dover Beck sluice gate

Clapper gate in poor condtion.  Clapper gates are a distinctive type of self-closing double gate, unique to the navigable reaches of the River Trent. They were erected along the towpath of the river in the 18th century and allow people and horses to pass through the field boundaries on the river bank, but prevent livestock from straying

Caythorpe Mill, one of eleven on the Dover Beck

A diversion at the end to visit the newly-created Gunthorpe Riverside Nature Reserve was declined!  This is "a community-led aimed at creating a peaceful haven for wildlife and providing public access to a natural space. The reserve features winding footpaths, diverse habitats, and riparian planting along the Cocker Beck to support local water quality and flood management."