Sunday 5th October 2025 – Newark-on-Trent, 8½ mile linear walk
17 Weekend Wanderers led by Trevor set off from Collingham village green, Nottinghamshire, where we mingled with a number of scarecrows displayed there. Meanwhile, 9 non-walkers were bused to Newark for the day.
We made our way to some former sand and gravel workings which have been turned into an impressive RSPB wetland nature reserve. Ducks, geese, swans and egrets were all seen and luckily several of our group were carrying binoculars. A wasps nest had evidently been dug out by a badger and a late speckled wood butterfly was seen in flight.
A short break for coffee and snacks was taken when we reached a floodbank footpath beside the huge River Trent. Despite overnight rain and storm Amy earlier in the week, ground conditions were dry along the embankments. A moderate breeze was welcome during this mild day, as we were wearing precautionary waterproof clothing. The footpaths, all below 50ft elevation, enabled a good walking pace for the group.
Excellent progress was made for several miles along the Trent Valley Way until we arrived at Winthorpe and its characterful country pub. An hour at The Lord Nelson provided us all with refreshments and a carvery meal for two in the group, while packed lunches could be eaten outside of the pub. After returning to the riverside footpath we walked a further 3 miles to end our walk near Newark Castle. This gave us over an hour to look around the market town before boarding our bus at 4pm for the return journey.
Trevor was thanked for today’s autumnal walk which was enjoyed by everyone I spoke to. Thanks also go to Margaret for helping collect the coach fares, Brenda who donated a nice prize for this month’s raffle and to Dave D the backmarker. Club organiser, Jean, announced that the November walk had been changed from the traditional Wakefield venue to Bakewell and would be led by her David, who also added some photos to mine for this blog.
Blog by Dave C.
