Fiona's walk took seventeen of us on this interesting 8-mile walk from the church in Syerston to Elston to visit its medieval chapel before heading towards East Stoke past the site of the Battle of Stoke Field. Passing Stoke Hall, we dropped down to the Trent opposite Fiskerton for lunch. We then walked along excellent fishermens' paths towards Hazelford Weir before climbing up to higher ground and back to Syerston.
Thanks Andy for the photos.
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| The start at All Saints Church, Syerston |
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| All Saints Church, Elston |
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| Elston Chapel, a Grade I listed building containing a fine Norman south doorway with zigzag decoration. It is thought it may have been the chapel of a medieval leper hospital dedicated to St Leonard |
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| Inside are layers of interesting wall paintings |
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| View over the wall - Stoke Hall, a Grade II listed mansion, now a wedding venue |
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| St Oswald's Church, East Stoke |
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| Fine memorial to Baron Julian Pauncefote (1828 - 1902), Ambassador to the United States (1893-1902) who was buried in East Stoke |
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| In 1487 East Stoke was the scene of possibly the bloodiest battle in British history, the Battle of Stoke Field, between Yorkist rebels facing the army of Henry VII. Towards the end of the battle almost all the Yorkists were chased down and captured or killed. The River Trent is said to have run red with blood. |
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| The track down to the Trent was known as the Red Gutter and is said to be the area where the massacre took place, although it is unclear whether this feature is so called due the blood split there during the battle or whether it derives its name from nearby red clay deposits |
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| Fiskerton Ferry jetty - still in use today. References to a ferry at Fiskerton were first mentioned in the Domesday Book. Horses and carts used to be able to ford the river so Fiskerton was the main river crossing point on a principal route between Newark and Nottingham |
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| Across the Trent is The Bromley Arms, owner of the landing rights on both sides of the river |
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| Syerston Pinfold, restored for the Golden Jubilee in 2002 |
