Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: February 2026

Saltby, Sproxton, Buckminster and Skillington, 22nd February 2026

Starting near St Peter's Church in Saltby, Scott took 14 VBR members and guests on a 9½ mile walk in glorious weather (for once) to Sproxton and then Buckminster (on the Mowbray Way) and to Skillington (for lunch) and back across Saltby Airfield, now a Gliding Club.

The start, Main Street, Saltby

Looking back at Saltby

St Bartholomew's Church, Sproxton

Snowdrops in the churchyard

One of many stiles on this route - this one in good condtion

The Old Vicarage and St John the Baptist, Buckminster

Spring flowers near Buckminster Hall

Swinging in Skillington

Village sign in Skillington

St John the Baptist, Buckminster

Approaching a massive bank of straw bales on the site of Saltby Airfield and destined for the 38MW Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant. Annually this plant burns 240,000 tonnes of straw (approximately 55 bales per hour), sourced mainly from farms local to the Sleaford plant

Preparing to take off from the airfield

Aircraft from Saltby played an important role in the D-Day landings

Just off route - RAF Memorial, US and Polish flags in evidence

Memories of all comrades who served at Saltby Airfield in World War II

Back to Saint Peter's Church, Saltby

Today's 9½ mile walk (in green) and those we have done nearby in the past. More details on the blog

Cotgrave Country Park, 15th February 2026

Starting at the car park off Hollygate Lane, Steve led 11 members on a 5-mile walk through Cotgrave Country Park to The Shepherds pub for a drinks stop before returning through the park to the start. The route, wet but not muddy, made use of the Grantham Canal towpath and the track of the 2-mile disused railway line which runs between Cotgrave Country Park and Holme Pierrepont, but which is now closed due to damage to the embankment in Radcliffe.

A wet start in the car park

Cotgrave Colliery was a modern mine using Koepe winching gear rather than traditional winding wheels. These so-called tower winders consisted of a vertical engine sitting directly above the shaft and were enclosed in a concrete tower; its function was hidden because you could not see any headstock wheels turning

Cotgrave Country Park is on the site of Cotgrave Colliery which was planned as a show colliery for British Coal. It closed in 1993 due to unsuspected geological faults

Grantham Canal Lock

Windmill Hill - site of Gozen's Hill Mill which stood on top of Mill Lane until 1916 when it was blown down during a gale. The mill was of the post type where the whole body of the tower could be moved by hand in order to face the wind.
Good views towards Ratcliffe Power Station (allegedly)

The Shepherds - coffee or tea and bacon butties (optional)

The rain about to stop as we near home

Edwinstowe and Rufford Country Park

Sue's 6.2 mile walk took 18 members and guests from Occupation Lane in Edwinstowe and then alongside the High Marnham Test Track originally used to deliver coal from Thoresby Colliery to High Marnham Power Station. After crossing the River Maun near Ollerton, we took the bridleway to Rufford Country Park for a drinks stop. Then, after crossing the very busy A614, we followed the Robin Hood Way and the River Maun back into Edwinstowe.

The start in Occupation Lane

You'll miss it when it's gone - this attractive piece of industrial archaeology, Thoresby Colliery Junction Signal Box.

Breaking news - it's gone! Last seen in 2025

Crossing the River Maun near Ollerton

Rufford Mill, once a corn mill for the Rufford Abbey Estate

Rufford Abbey was originally a Cistercian abbey founded in 1145. It was converted into a country house after 1536 and significantly rebuilt in the 17th and 19th centuries. George Savile demolished much of the old monastery around 1680 and added a large north wing. Another major renovation in 1837 by architect Anthony Salvin introduced features such as the clock tower and an ornate Jacobean-style library. Most of the mansion was demolished in the 1950s, leaving only the medieval lay brothers’ range, which now houses an exhibition.

Rear view of Rufford Abbey

Sculpture in Rufford Country Park

Drinks stop

Front view of Rufford Abbey - in Summer

Returning to Edwinstowe across the test track and down to follow the Maun to Mill Lane

Oxton and Robin Hood Hill, 1st February 2026

Starting at Oxton Village Hall, todays 4-mile walk, led by Mansfield & Sherwood Ramblers, took 21 Nottinghamshire Area Ramblers past The Old Green Dragon and up Windmill Hill towards Robin Hood Hill and the old Roman settlement. Tracks were very slippy but improved on the descent back to Oxton on Honeyknab Lane.

The Notts Area AGM followed after lunch and we were later treated to a talk on The Capricious Trent – the Battle Between People and River by local historian Adrian Gray. He described what are believed to be alternative courses of the River Trent, particularly just upstream and downstream of Newark, and its effects on the people of local villages.