Hoe Hill walk (2-4-08)
Walking slowly, this will take about 70 minutes. Start at the bottom of Hoe View Road (1). The seat is very inviting but, unless you are in a very relaxed mood, it is a bit too early for a sit down yet! Follow the road-side path towards Cropwell Butler. At the top of the first hill there is another seat (2) and beyond it you can see our destination: Hoe Hill. You might want to pause here and gaze towards Wiverton Hall and the Vale of Belvoir in the distance. There are no seats in the woods! Continue to the bottom of the hill and turn left (3) onto a wide farm track (4).
Follow the track and keep a look-out for interesting animals in the fields on your right (5,6). You might even see berries in the hedgerow (7).
The track follows the hedgerow around to the right and then left. Quite unexpectedly, you will come across a lonely pond on your left (8) and, at the same point, you may be lucky enough to see daffodils in flower (9).
Where the track leaves the field, there is a wide metal gate (10) which you might like to crawl under - but there is no need: on the left is an excellent gate for walkers.
The farm track continues straight on but we turn left here and make our way between ancient hedges and mysterious looking trees (11) towards Hoe Hill. It is thought that the name "Cropwell" is derived from name "Hoe Hill". Quite how is not easy to see: I suppose "well" sounds a bit like "hill" and, whilst "Crop" and "Hoe" do not sound very similar, they are both connected with tilling the land. Does anyone know more?
Very soon we are confronted with gates! The one on the left is very inviting (12). Stop and stare for a few moments: "What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand ...". Opps, I was forgetting you were with me!
Don't go through that gate, go through the other one (13) and then follow the wide path to the right (14). In a short distance you will come to the entrance to the wood (15) where a sign (16) clearly marks the two alternative paths through it. We are going to follow the longer, more exciting one, which branches left, just ahead, and goes right to the top of Hoe Hill.
On this particular day the path was a little muddy. I was wearing trainers and had little difficulty climbing the hill but soon discovered I was bringing a thick layer of mud with me - underfoot. It was worth the climb. Looking back (17) there were hints of views but, once at the top, you are rewarded with a lovely view of the Vale framed by tall trees (18). The landowner has put a lot of effort into making these woods more accessible and enjoyable. Not so long ago, you had to find your own way between the trees and, at the top, the surrounding foliage hid any possible views.
Whichever way you look, there is something of interest. Holes in trunks - both standing and felled (19) - are some animals using them as home? Above, blue sky and waving branches (20). This is the highest point on our journey so enjoy a few moments here before following the downhill path on the right. As you go down, look back at the avenue of trees (21). There were once some crude, well spaced stone steps on this path. Were those trees planted to make this avenue? Was this once someone's private park? Does anyone have answers?
At the foot of the hill we rejoin the lower path: here we turn left and then follow the path to the Grantham Canal (22). This butterfly (23) has arrived early: it is just the first day of April. Is he a "Fool": will a late frost force him into a warm crevice?
Once you reach the Canal you can look back from where you have come (24). Once over the bridge, turn left to follow the Canal tow path (25). Along the way you can see Hoe Hill on your left (26) and observe how the fence dips at one point (27). I wonder why.
An old mile marker reminds us how far we are from the Trent (28) and before long we reach the point where a bridge once carried the road into Cropwell Bishop (29). Turn left and after the Village Memorial Hall (30) you can walk through the car park and onto the Playing Field.
The days of old, rickety swings, a rocking horse and a dull slide have gone. Now, bright, colourful and sturdy apparatus surrounded by a reassuring fence (31) allows young children to play safely while parents sit down and watch. Keep this in mind when you next top up your recycling bins (32).
Little children grow into teenagers, and the Parish Council have not forgotten their need to play. The 5 a-side play area (33) was opened in 2007 and is getting a great deal of use by young people from the Village. Floodlights allow them to meet and play even when the Sun is tired. The Councillors have found imaginative ways to finance the improvements they have made! (34)
If you decide to walk diagonally across the field you can climb under a fence to reach Clarkes Close. You might want to take a bit of exercise on the way (35). You will also get the chance to look across to where you have been today (36) before heading home for a well-earned cup of tea.
(2-4-08)
©Tony Jarrow 2009. Contact: tony@cropwellbishopplan.co.uk