Meadow Lane Walk

Meadow Lane Walk (15-10-21)

This walk gives you the opportunity to explore some paths through Cropwell Butler village. Meadow Lane is just a tiny part of the route but a pleasant name to remember it by.

Tony Jarrow

Meadow Lane Map — 2.5 miles in 1 hour (both approx)

Meadow Lane Walk — 1. The start of the walk is on Fern Road. Where the road becomes steeper and bends to the left, there is a stile in a gap in the hedgerow.

Meadow Lane Walk — 2. If there happen to be sheep here (these have escaped) then you can be sure that they will run away as soon as they see you.
Follow the path towards the left-hand corner where you will see the stile that you have to go over.

Meadow Lane Walk — 3. Once you are over the stile, the walking gets easier – and soon downhill.

Meadow Lane Walk — 4. An attractive start to this stretch.

Meadow Lane Walk — 5. The view ahead will change a lot throughout the autumn of 2021 and 2022 as the houses on the left are built. But this path will remain.

Meadow Lane Walk — 6. At the bottom of the hill, in the corner of the field, you will face a large field. The point you are aiming for is the gap in the hedge on the far side (just visible on the right in this photo). However, you can't walk straight to it, you must walk alongside the hedge.
In the growing season, this view may be obscured by high crops, like maize.

Meadow Lane Walk — 7. Once you reach the gap, turn left to go through it.

Meadow Lane Walk — 8. Follow the track, keeping to the hedge on your left.

Meadow Lane Walk — 9. At the corner, the track turns to the left but you need to turn right.

Meadow Lane Walk — 10. Follow the track and head towards the corner of this field, keeping parallel with the hedge on your right.

Meadow Lane Walk — 11. When you reach the corner, you need to follow the path that goes right into it. It leads to a gap in the hedge although than might not at first be obvious.

Meadow Lane Walk — 12. Here is the gap, through it you go.

Meadow Lane Walk — 13. Immediately you emerge on the other side, you should see, to your left, the long straightish path that heads to a far distant corner. Follow it.

Meadow Lane Walk — 14. At its halfway point, it brushes the corner of a hedge where you should then be able to see where it is heading: a gap in the hedge in front of you.

Meadow Lane Walk — 15. The path emerges onto a bridlepath; Meadow Lane, which gives its name to this walk. Turn left and head northwards to its end, at the Cropwell Butler to Tithby road.

Meadow Lane Walk — 16. Enjoy the trees and bird song as you plod along.

Meadow Lane Walk — 17. At the end, cross the road and go left.

Meadow Lane Walk — 18. After about 70m, just before you reach the house on the other side of the road, you will come to a stile in the hedge on your right; climb over it.

Meadow Lane Walk — 19. Depending on the time of year, the way ahead may be obvious or, as in this photo, not. You are aiming for the two trees in the middle of the distant hedgerow.

Meadow Lane Walk — 20. Here is a closer view of them. Beside the trunk of right-hand tree is the waypost you are heading for.
If the path has yet to be worn down (the landowner is supposed to make it clear within 14 days of ploughing) you should stride straight toward those trees as best you can.
It is in the best interests of the landowner to mark out the path clearly because, if he doesn't, the path that walkers wear down is likely to be wide and wandering.

Meadow Lane Walk — 21. Here is the yellow topped waypost. The right of way is actually through a gap in the hedge behind the post, and then diagonally to the opposite corner of that field.
However, on the day I took photos, this route was made impassable by 2 metre high maize. I will say more about route infringements shortly, but in searching for an immediate solution, I discovered an unofficial diversion.

Meadow Lane Walk — 22. Going back to that waymarker, head north alongside the hedge towards the corner of the field.

Meadow Lane Walk — 23. In the corner, is a gap and then a path alongside the hedge.

Meadow Lane Walk — 24. Follow this path to the next corner.

Meadow Lane Walk — 25. You will come to a gap in the hedge. It may look uninviting, but don't be put off.

Meadow Lane Walk — 26. Beyond it, is a well-worn path with a fence alongside. Worn paths usually indicate regular dog walkers and so, nearness to civilization.

Meadow Lane Walk — 27. You soon reach a fine looking footbridge leading to the wonderful Sheldon Field sports ground that Cropwell Butler has – thanks to the John Samworth legacy.
I describe other paths leading to this field in other walks.
You may come across cricket or football matches on your visit here. The 'Cropwell teams' are made up of players from both Butler and Bishop.

Meadow Lane Walk — 28. After the bridge, turn left and follow the boundary, going past the pavilion.

Meadow Lane Walk — 29. Before you reach the access road (it leads Main Street, Cropwell Butler), you will see a multiple waymarker on your left. At this point, turn left towards the wooden gate.

Meadow Lane Walk — 30. Beyond the gate you will likely see horses.

Meadow Lane Walk — 31. Once through the gate, it is even more likely that you will see electric fencing. I can still recall when, just 10 years old, I tested the effectiveness of such fencing: I have never touched one since. It was some years later that I learnt how even a 12-volt battery can be made to deliver thousands of volts. That provides a powerful jolt, take my word for it – or ask a horse.

Meadow Lane Walk — 32. The 'gates' should be carefully opened using the rubber spring-loaded handles.

Meadow Lane Walk — 33. Go straight on through several electric-gates.

Meadow Lane Walk — 34. And you will eventually reach the corner of the field.

Meadow Lane Walk — 35. Where there is a metal gate – and no electric fence.

Meadow Lane Walk — 36. You may be surprised to find yourself at the back of Cropwell Butler Methodist Chapel. Walk to the right of it.

Meadow Lane Walk — 37. You will come to Tythby Road. Notice how Tithby is sometimes spelt Tythby: they are both the same place.
Turn right.

Meadow Lane Walk — 38. Head to the sharp bend 60m away.

Meadow Lane Walk — 39. At the corner, stop and look to your left. You will see the tail end of Back Lane and, to its left, a wide wooden gate. Beyond it is a grassy slope. The footpath is up that slope.
When the Cropwell Bishop Walking Group last came this way, there was a 2m high wooden waymarker beside the gate: now it has gone.
The gate has to be dragged open and a chain limits how far it can be opened.
Don't feel intimidated, you are following a 'right of way'.
In allowing people to cross their land, the landowner (or tenant) is not doing you a favour, they are obeying the law.

Meadow Lane Walk — 40. The route of the path is a straight line from that gate to the far left-hand corner of the field.

Meadow Lane Walk — 41. Sadly, I discovered that the exit was blocked by a pile of branches which, luckily, were easy to move.

Meadow Lane Walk — 42. However, there was also a mound of soil, making exiting awkward.

Meadow Lane Walk — 43. Just outside the exit is a post with yellow way markers stapled to it (this is a meeting of 3 paths) but there was not one for the path I had just used.
I have since passed on my concerns about this path to Notts CC which it says a 'Rights of Way Coordinator' will investigate.

Meadow Lane Walk — 44. The path you need to follow is the one with a metal gate. It is the start of a straight route that will take you to the Butler-Bishop road. On the way you will likely see inquisitive horses but they are all on the other side of a fence.

Meadow Lane Walk — 45. There is the next gate.

Meadow Lane Walk — 46. And from it, you can see the final one.

Meadow Lane Walk — 47. When you reach the road, turn right.

Meadow Lane Walk — 48. Soon, you will come to the Cropwell Bishop village sign: I doubt the speed signs will apply to you with your walking boots on.