Colston Bassett Walk

Colston Bassett Walk (31-10-21)

This is quite a long walk but most of it is on level, smooth, paths and roads. This will enable more energetic walkers to stretch their legs and get into a good rhythm.
Even so, most others will find it more satisfying at a plodding pace, with pauses to enjoy views, birds and old ruins. And maybe even a drink at the pub.

Tony Jarrow

Colston Bassett Map — 5.5 miles in 2 hours (both approx)

Colston Bassett Walk — 1. The start is on Richards Close. Take a dozen, or so, steps up the Close and then go up steps on the right: they are the start of the footpath.

Colston Bassett Walk — 2. At the top of the steps you will see the first gate ahead of you.

Colston Bassett Walk — 3. From that first gate you will see the second one which is currently adorned by some blue fencing that seem out of place on a country walk.

Colston Bassett Walk — 4. Maybe the blue colour is meant to alert you to the electric fencing either side. Go safely through the metal gate and head for the opposite corner of the field.

Colston Bassett Walk — 5. In the corner is a stile; go over it and turn right. Walk alongside the hedge towards the wide gate straight ahead.

Colston Bassett Walk — 6. Decision time: go over the stile, duck under the gate, or step over the gate. Only those with very long legs should attempt this least alternative (the gate is not electrified, thankfully).
Then turn left. Walk on the left-hand verge of this Kinoulton Road or, if you prefer, cross to the footpath on the other side of the road. Either way, you will not be alongside this road for long.

Colston Bassett Walk — 7. After a few minutes you will be at the Grantham Canal. Turn left and enter the tow path heading south.

Colston Bassett Walk — 8. These canalside buildings are about 140 years old. Do you know why they were built there?

Colston Bassett Walk — 9. As you follow the winding path you will soon come to a unique seat. Maybe we should call it a seat of learning; you will understand why when you reach it.

Colston Bassett Walk — 10. Where the canal is crossed by the Colston Bassett Road, you need to make a little detour to be able to continue on the tow path.
At the road, turn left and walk on the verge as far as the 'National Speed Limit' signs.

Colston Bassett Walk — 11. At these signs, you need to cross the road, but take care because this can be a busy road with fast traffic and you are not far from a blind bend.

Colston Bassett Walk — 12. On the other side, turn right where you will see the entrance to the next stretch of the canal. You might even see some water this time.

Colston Bassett Walk — 13. The trees in the 'canal' are as high as the trees alongside it: how strange.

Colston Bassett Walk — 14. This stretch of water may be only 100m long, but it is worth keeping your eyes peeled.
I was once startled by the spectacular blue blurr of a kingfisher as it streaked by. But, it was only the once: they are elusive birds.

Colston Bassett Walk — 15. By the time you reach the next crossing you will have walked about a mile since the previous one. Turn left to go down this road: it leads to Colston Bassett.
Take care though. It a quiet road but you will likely see one or two vehicles.

Colston Bassett Walk — 16. When safe to do so, cross to the other side so that you are facing oncoming traffic.

Colston Bassett Walk — 17. A pretty bend in the road but listen out for approaching cars.

Colston Bassett Walk — 18. You are not going all the way to Colston Bassett by road – not when there is a more interesting route.
Turn right when you see this footpath sign.

Colston Bassett Walk — 19. It is a wide track and where that tree stands is an opening into another field.

Colston Bassett Walk — 20. Enter this next field and walk alongside the hedge on the right. You will eventually reach an entry to the following field: you can see it in the middle of this picture.

Colston Bassett Walk — 21. Enter the next field and, once again, follow the hedge on your right. But this time the plan is different: once you reach that tall tree, stop.

Colston Bassett Walk — 22. At that tree, look ahead, slightly to the left. There you will see your next destination: a bridge over a stream. Depending on the time of year, there will probably be a well-worn track leading to it.

Colston Bassett Walk — 23. From this bridge, your route is straight towards that white house in the far corner of the field. Once there, you will be in Colston Bassett village: best foot forward.

Colston Bassett Walk — 24. Climb over the stile and turn left; you are on a road that leads to the centre of Colston Bassett. Some nice (very expensive) houses exist in this village but most are hidden from public view (but not Google Earth's).
If you care for a rest at this point, there is good seat on the other side of the stile.

Colston Bassett Walk — 25. A peaceful stroll towards the village centre. You don't have time to stop at The Martin's Arms for a drink – or maybe you do.

Colston Bassett Walk — 26. A restful scene. Go straight on going towards the church. Cross over the road near here – while you can still see traffic round the bend.

Colston Bassett Walk — 27. Keep to the left of the church. This is St John's and it is relatively new: built in 1892.
In 20 minutes, you will have the opportunity to explore the ruin of the previous church.

Colston Bassett Walk — 28. In a couple of minutes, look out for this waypost on the left: it is a sign of where you are heading.

Colston Bassett Walk — 29. Your future may look a bit bleak at first but, very soon, the outlook will be much brighter.

Colston Bassett Walk — 30. You are going to cross a bridge, not over a stream this time, but over a real river, the River Smite.
Don't get too excited though, this baby river has a lot of growing to do.
Nevertheless, if you toss in a twig, it could be carried as far as Newark where the Smite feeds the River Trent. Then it could sail on to the North Sea and, in time, to the other side of the World. All the way from this little bridge.
If the thought of a twig completing this journey seems far-fetched, consider the molecules of water below you: where will their journey end?
Something to ponder as you stare into the River Smite.

Colston Bassett Walk — 31. Once over the bridge, walk alongside the hedgerow on your right.

Colston Bassett Walk — 32. You will have to sneak past a few trees and follow the 'down and up' of the path on the other side, but they are no problem: they will keep you alert.

Colston Bassett Walk — 33. Then you will come to the back of this strange looking building: is this where some recluse is living in splendid isolation, you may wonder. After another 50 steps, you will look to your right and come to realise its real purpose.

Colston Bassett Walk — 34. At the far the end of the building, the path splits: take the right-hand one.

Colston Bassett Walk — 35. After another 30 steps, it splits again. This time, take the left-hand one.

Colston Bassett Walk — 36. Ahead, you will see that it leads to a tunnel through the trees where there is another bridge to cross.
This time, it is only over a dyke, but one that started in Cropwell Bishop.
If enough water is flowing, throw in a twig. This dyke feeds the River Smite and we all know where that leads.

Colston Bassett Walk — 37. From the bridge, you will see the ruin of St Mary church and your path goes on the right-hand side of it.
If I tell you that this 700-year-old church was deliberately 'dismantled and unroofed' in 1892, you may wonder why.
This is another place where there is a seat, just over the top of the hill, on the left. If you wish, you can stop there awhile and do some fresh pondering (optional).

Colston Bassett Walk — 38. After the church, the path leads to a road.

Colston Bassett Walk — 39. Go through the gate, look out for traffic, then cross over and go down the road opposite.
It leads to Home Farm and is a private road, but it is also a right-of-way that leads to the footpath to Cropwell Bishop. Onwards you go.

Colston Bassett Walk — 40. It is not just the farm that is down this road; people live here too.

Colston Bassett Walk — 41. As you approach the farm, there is a sharp right-hand bend in the road. Here, you are going to leave the road: keep left and go through the metal gate.

Colston Bassett Walk — 42. The path is now wide and straight with electric fencing to stop cows wandering out of fields and, maybe, to stop you wandering in.

Colston Bassett Walk — 43. You will eventually reach a gate.

Colston Bassett Walk — 44. From here, the path is a straight line to the gap in the hedge opposite. If, as in this photo, the path has not yet been re-established, you should walk in a straight line towards that gap.

Colston Bassett Walk — 45. The moment you step through the gap, look to your right and your eyes will experience the full extent of Pasture Lane.
Don't stare too long though, because to finish this walk, your feet must also experience its full extent: get walking.

Colston Bassett Walk — 46. Fern Road is at the end of Pasture Lane – and is also the end of your invigorating (or plodding) walk. Give yourself a pat on the back.