Denton and Barrowby, 12th April 2026

Starting near the church in Denton in glorious sunshine, Paul's 7.3 mile walk took twelve ramblers and two dogs past Denton Reservoir to reach the Grantham Canal at Harlaxton Bridge.  The walk continued along the canal as far as the A1 where we turned towards Barrowby for lunch at the Recreation Ground.  More field paths took us to Surprise View, down to the canal and back to the reservoir and Denton in deteriorating weather.

Very dry underfooot after warm, windy weather

Bridge over the feeder to the reservoir

Halaxton Wharf from Harlaxton Bridge

Grantham Canal Society workboat

Floating wharf - coffee stop

Howard showing off his new B&Q seat -  again

Surprise View (behind you!)

Apparently, Belvoir Castle is visible from Surprise View.  It would look something like this

Leaving the canal at Denton Wharf

Update to Walks Programme, April 2026

The Walks Programme has been updated with all available information up to 23rd June 2026.  Would all Walk Leaders please check for accuracy?

The start points for all these walks can be found on this interactive map.  Pan and zoom to check the information.

Note that there are some gaps.  Please inform Gail if you are able to fill them.  Help and/or training can be given to members who are not fully qualified as Leaders.

Sutton Bonington, Kingston on Soar and the Grand Union Canal, 5th April 2026

From the playground in Sutton Bonington, Elaine took ten members on a 7.6 mile walk past Sutton Bonington Hall and round the back of St Michael's Church to reach and cross the bridge over the Midland Mainline.  The route then took us across fields to West Leake for a coffee stop at the church and then down Kingston Brook to Kingston on Soar for lunch and a visit to see the extraordinary Babington Monument in St Winifred's Church.

After crossing under the Midland Mainline, we reached Kegworth Shallow Flood Lock and then followed the Grand Union Canal / River Soar until we came to the path back to Sutton Bonington.

The start in the car park

St Michael's Church

Midland Mainline

DHL cargo planes to/from Cincinatti, Leipzig and other places

The Star on Melton Lane

First crossing of Kingston Brook

Ascending the ha ha near St Helena's Church, West Leake

Coffee stop

Kingston Hall - now luxury apartments

Weir and sluices to provide a feed into an ornamental lake (The Pool) in the grounds of Kingston Hall

St Winifred's Church

Part of the impressive Babington Monument, erected by Sir Anthony Babington and completed by his son John in the 1530s as a burial vault for his family.
At the top are the arms of Henry VIII which contains the rose and crown supported by a greyhound and dragon.  Below are the Babington arms in the form of a wyvern

The Last Judgment

The Last Judgment

More of the impressive carvings (in limestone)

More of the impressive carvings (in limestone)

Lunch on The Green

About to pass under the Midland Mainline

You'll miss it when it's gone

Kingston Shallow Flood Lock, used as a normal lock from October to March.  At other times, the gates are fastened back except in abnormal flood conditions

Kegworth New Lock on the Grand Union Canal. This lock used to called Kegworth Deep Lock on account of its 12 foot rise but after several narrowboats sank after getting caught on the cill at the upstream end, it was renamed Kegworth New Lock so as not to scare off new users!

Boats at the marina near The Otter pub

Bingham and Cropwell Butler, 29th March 2026

Sue led 17 ramblers and three dogs on a six-mile walk beginning from a lay-by on the old A46 near the Saxondale roundabout. The route took us on good field paths and tracks to Cropwell Butler where a coffee stop was taken at the cricket ground. The weather was very cold with blustery wind and a little rain later on.  After coffee we returned to the start through more fields again in good paths.

The briefing

Coffee stop in Sheldon Field, home of Cropwell Butler Cricket Club

Bradgate Park, Linford Newtown and Cropston, 22nd March 2026

From Swithland Wood, we crossed Rowcliffe Road, entered the Country Park and climbed up to Old John Tower and the important geological site where the fossil Charnia Masoni was unexpectedly discovered by a schoolboy in 1957. We then dropped down to Newtown Linford and passed the church before stopping for coffee next to the River Lin back in the park. After lunch overlooking the reservoir, the route back took us to Cropston Village, across the dam and back to Swithland Wood.

The start in Swithland Wood

Sign at the entrance to the park

Distant view of Old John Tower

Steady climb up to Old John Tower ...

... for a well-deserved rest

Toposcope next to Old John.  Views of Melton Mowbray – 15 miles, Burrough Hill – 14¾ miles, Leicester Cathedral – 5¾ miles, Scraptoft – 8¾ miles, Rothley Temple – 9¼ miles, Tilton on the Hill – 14¼ miles, Billesdon Coplow – 12½ miles.
This indicator was given by the people of Newtown Linford from the proceeds of their pageant of Lady Jane Grey held in the ruins 1951-1952

Old John Tower from the opposite side.  A post mill used to be sited here but became unsafe after a storm in 1784 and was relaced by this stone tower in 1786.  By 1792, this archway had been added in affectionate memory of Old John, possibly the old miller, who had been killed in an accident during celebrations on the hill.  John liked his ale so the  archway was modelled on the handle of a beer mug (allegedly)

Site of discovery of the fossil Charnia Masoni, found in 1957 by schoolboy Roger Mason.  It was the first fossil ever identified from the Precambrian period.  It is now protected from small chidren with geological hammers

The Old Forge, Linford Newtown

All Saints' Church

Painting of Linford Newtown in the church

Dr Who?

Fine specimen on the trail through the park

Bradgate House, a once-magnificent Tudor mansion and the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for nine days in 1553

Fine thatched cottage in Cropston

View of Cropston Reservoir from the end of the dam.  Originally designed to collect local supplies of water, it now receives most from Ladybower via the Derwent Aqueduct

Cropston Reservoir outfall

Intake tower and walkway (artistic composition from Terry)

6½ miles