Cropwell Lock Walk


Cropwell Lock (10-10-21)

Cropwell Lock in 1930s
Cropwell Lock in the 1930s: looking towards Cropwell Bishop. The buildings were demolished after the Second World War.

The Grantham Canal opened in 1797. Without the Canal, the history of Cropwell Bishop would be very different – less industry, less commerce, less interesting.

You only have to browse articles on the history of Cropwell Bishop Streets (click the Heritage tab) to appreciate why: start with Kinoulton Road and Nottingham Road.

The Canal starts on the River Trent and Cropwell Bishop is at a higher level than the Trent. That means that locks had to be built between the Trent and Cropwell Bishop.

Cropwell Bishop Lock was the tenth of those in the first 6 miles but would be the last until Woolsthorpe, 20 miles further south.

The Canal was closed in 1929. These days, almost 100 years later, most stretches of the Canal still contain water and some even have boats on them.

However, at Cropwell Bishop the ground is very porous and only after long and heavy rains does water collect along its bed.

In this walk, you will walk alongside the (dry) Canal and visit the remains of Cropwell Lock. You will also reach the north edge of Cropwell Butler before returning home.

Tony Jarrow




Map
3 miles in 75 mins (both approx)


Cropwell Lock Walk
1. The junction of Nottingham Road and Kinoulton Road – this is the start. Go up the road to the Grantham Canal.
Cropwell Lock Walk
2. Turn right here and go north on the canal tow path. You will see Hoe Hill ahead although it is not on the route today.
Cropwell Lock Walk
3. After 10 minutes you will see a roadway going over the canal. Ignore it and continue along the canal tow path.
I sometimes wonder if "toe path" would be a better name now that horses no longer tug barges along the canal.
Cropwell Lock Walk
4. There was once a bridge here. When you come to it, look at the brickwork on the other side and you will discover its name and what kind of bridge it was.
Cropwell Lock Walk
5. After walking 20 minutes along the canal you will arrive at Cropwell Lock – or at least the remains of it. The footbridge is a recent addition
Cropwell Lock Walk
6. Cross the bridge.
Cropwell Lock Walk
7. On reaching the other side, look 25m ahead, slightly to the right, and you will see a gap in the hedge: head for it.
Cropwell Lock Walk
8. This is the start of our adventure on the east side of the canal. Go through the gap and go right.
Cropwell Lock Walk
9. You will immediately come to a farm road that sweeps round to the left. But you are going to the right
Cropwell Lock Walk
10. As you come to the end of this straight stretch of roadway, you will notice more trees on your right and ahead of you. When you reach this point, look to your left and you will see a path going upwards alongside a hedge.
Cropwell Lock Walk
11. Here is the path: follow it – it soon bends to the right.
Cropwell Lock Walk
12. After the bend you will see the path leads through a gap in the hedge, just 20m ahead.
Cropwell Lock Walk
13. From that gap you will see the path continues alongside the hedge on the right. The field you are entering is a big field.
Cropwell Lock Walk
14. Before you get half way along its southern boundary, you will see a new path branch off to the left: that is the path you must follow.
It leads right across the middle of the field to its far corner.
Just after its start, it drops into a large hollow in the ground that looks out of place. You may ask if it is natural or man-made.
During the Second World War, some bombs were dropped on the Cropwells: could it be a bomb crater, I wonder.
Cropwell Lock Walk
15. The landowner will have re-established the path after ploughing the field: afterwards, many Cropwell feet endorsed it. This is how our rights-of-way are maintained.
Cropwell Lock Walk
16. Once you reach the corner of the field, the way ahead is in no doubt. Indeed, you may feel like you are heading for a sheep dip.
Cropwell Lock Walk
17. Don't worry though, the fencing only guides you safely to the next field.
Cropwell Lock Walk
18. The path from here is a straight line to the opposite corner where you can see some houses.
Cropwell Lock Walk
19. When you get closer, you will see that a stile provides your escape. There is even a ground level opening for your dog, as long as you lift the pole.
Cropwell Lock Walk
20. Ten metres further on: ditto (mirror image)
Cropwell Lock Walk
21. Once over the stile, turn right.
Cropwell Lock Walk
22. It is on stretches like this that you wish you had brought your secateurs – many regular walkers have a pair in their pocket.
Cropwell Lock Walk
23. After a double bend (a chicane?) there is a gate.
Cropwell Lock Walk
24. Beyond, is a pleasant grassy path. Keep within the hedge and electric fencing (as if you had any choice to do otherwise!)
Cropwell Lock Walk
25. A multitude of wayposts await you on the other side of the exit gate.
Cropwell Lock Walk
26. Your way is right then left: you are effectively going to go in the same direction as the last 100m.
Cropwell Lock Walk
27. This is the main rural pathway between the two Cropwells.
You have to wonder how many tens of thousands of its inhabitants have walked this path over at the last two thousand years. You have now been added to that list.
Cropwell Lock Walk
28. The roadway from Spike Island crosses the path around half-way, but you go straight on.
Cropwell Lock Walk
29. This hare did not stay still for long. It reminds us that it is not just humans that tread this ancient way.
What wanders here at mid-night, you may wonder: don't ask me to find out!
Cropwell Lock Walk
30. At this dividing of the ways, keep left: you are going to Cropwell Bishop, not Hoe Hill.
Cropwell Lock Walk
31. It is alarming to see the path covered with horse-shoe prints. This path is not wide enough for a walker and a horse to pass each other – especially a walker with a dog or a pram.
You may think that horses should be banned from this path but, in fact, this is not a footpath but a bridleway: horses are allowed.
The problem is that the landowner has allowed the hedges to grow way beyond the original fence. Both the Parish and County Councils have signalled the need for it to be cut but, to date, the only response has been words, not action.
Cropwell Lock Walk
32. When you see a metal gate on your left, take note: you will be going through it.
Cropwell Lock Walk
33. The path on the other side will take you behind the houses on the north side of Hoe View Road.
Cropwell Lock Walk
34. As you walk down it, you can enjoy views of Cropwell Butler on your left and, on your right, are people's back gardens: no peeping.
Well, maybe a little look can't be resisted: there are some lovely gardens and they enjoy wonderful views. Not many Cropwell homes can see Belvoir Castle.
Cropwell Lock Walk
35. When you are halfway down the field path, keep a lookout for this metal gate.
Cropwell Lock Walk
36. And go through it to the pathway beyond.
Cropwell Lock Walk
37. Unfortunately, that gate is easy to miss but don't worry, 10m after it is a gap in the hedge which also leads to the path. Indeed, it looks like most people use the gap rather than the gate.
Cropwell Lock Walk
38. After the path turns to the right, you will be greeted with a view of Hoe View Road itself and, straight ahead, access to Kendal Road. Soon you will be home enjoying a cup of tea.