Sunday 2nd June 2024 – Dunham-on-Trent circular
The coach dropped 29 walkers off at the Nottinghamshire rural village of Dunham-on-Trent. As its name suggests it is close to the River Trent and Dunham toll bridge. Following rights of way and quiet country lanes, and crossing several footbridges and going through metal kissing gates, we reached the village of Laneham, where we had a ten minute coffee stop. Heading further north took us passed the decommissioned power station at Cottam, with its eight cooling towers awaiting demolision. We had seen many willow plantations which were being grown for wood chip to fuel other power stations.
Taking the Trent Valley Way beside the river’s floodplain we were no more than 5 metres above sea level. Sheep were busy grazing along the grassy flood bank path. Following the tidal Trent we arrived at the picturesque village of Church Laneham. We had lunch in the Ferry Boat Inn beer garden and locally brewed ale was a popular choice of refreshments here. It was a tea shirt warm afternoon enjoyed by all of us for an hour before we set off again following the river and passing Trentfield Farm camp site, and watched House martins gathering mud from a puddle to build their nests.
Our circular walk led by Trevor Roebuck ended back at Dunham. 8.5 miles had been completed, including an option to walk around a nearby lake. We waited at the White Swan pub until the coach returned at 4pm with 7 non-walkers who had spent the day in Lincoln. Trevor was thanked for this lovely ramble through the peaceful countryside of Nottinghamshire. The photographers are also thanked.
