Alrswa three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Alrswa here.

I enjoyed this walk very much but it’s not a walk in the park, this is a country walk and all that that entails. Three years on since David created and reviewed it, fundamentally nothing has changed but I offer a few pointers to assist.

It was an eerie walk on the canal towpath alongside the silent A38. Closed in the adjacent northbound direction and closed southbound from Alrewas so only none believers had pressed on to the final diversion sign. I had considered a quieter diversion from Wychnor church using Green Lane into Barton which you might like to investigate.

A dilemma for me was the ‘Road Closed’ signs on Walton Lane, does the closure include or exclude pedestrians? A question never answered by the signage and occasionally I’ve had to turn back as closed meant closed to all. The many cyclists using the lane offered assurance I would get through. A local explained that a vehicle four times in excess of the 3T weight limit had attempted to cross so the bridge which was now closed awaiting a structural inspection. A bit unnerving as the pedestrian side bridge relies on the main temporary ‘Bailey Bridge’ for support. The inn at Walton was open on this Saturday.

The road walk along the pavement was easy going as A38 diverted traffic was not using this road. The short section without pavement was no issue. The signage remains good and a kissing gate suggested good structures along the way! The first signed stile is located way off route so it’s then necessary to bear right towards the farm buildings as the following crossing are correctly located.

The pasture fields here were mostly devoid of stock. Boundary crossings were difficult to visually locate so here the plotting is very helpful although a little loose interpretation may also offer a better route. The Derbyshire CC online map shows the path passing through the pond which David and I both detoured to the north. (the cows remain a challenge for anyone with concerns but a wave of the arm soon made them back off).

Rosliston has a Co-op and next door a chip shop. After which I would have preferred to use one of the paths that allows avoidance of the road because this was a little busier and had no verge. The cross field paths were again clear of crops and would be a major challenge without compliance with the Highway Act sec. 134. (Not quite as clear as in David’s photo).

The permissive path around Longlands was mown but then abandoned me on a rutted track used to return to the right of way where a notice on the gate across the proper path illegally stated ‘No Entry’.

I had failed to do my research only finding when I returned home that I had walked and passed close by three unrecorded paths that need investigation. I also wondered why the Slow Way doesn't use the more direct Cauldwell Road with open aspect to one side, instead of The Crescent. Linton church offered a tap and an outside pew round the back for a rest in the shade.

The Scotts offers another bit of unrecorded track but that has been dealt with, just waiting twenty years for DCC to process the DMMO application. From here it is urban but the paths are excellent, wide and friendly most with lighting, perhaps the best traffic free town approach I’ve used.

The meeting place is a bit bleak but it’s close to services where it’s far better to wait if onward travel by bus is required.

Starting from a point in Alrewas which is not far from the Trent and Mersey Canal, the first section is some very pleasant canal walking as far as Barton Turns where it joins the Cross Britain Way. The pavement of a flyover takes you across the A38 and then the railway. Passing through quarries, this is maybe the least pleasant part of the journey but is safe and does not last long. The crossing of the Trent into Derbyshire is picturesque and a set of traffic lights regulating the traffic to and fro, helps you to cross to the pedestrian lane of the bridge. Walton is the first village you come to and pretty it is too! There is a tiny section of verge walking before leaving Walton and crossing into the fields. The path is pretty clear to see and throughout the Cross Britain Way the waymarkers are in good repair. You soon realise how high up you are and get some great view across to Winshill and Burton, and then, forward to the destination, Swadlincote. As you make the descent through dairy fields the way is well marked. I encountered three lots of cows, the first two of which seemed very sedate. The last lot (pictured) seemed very interested in me and I was quite relieved to get to the other side of the field. Just beyond this point, at around SK 2358 1701 was the only section of the walk I found difficult to follow. The map says the path runs south of a pool whereas in reality it runs to the north. A track down the side of a field takes you into Rosliston which is pleasant village to walk through. As with Walton, as you get to other end, there is a slightly longer section of lane walking required (about 200m). I was able to step into the hedge with no discomfort when a car passed. The route then goes into a field. Yet again the path is really clear, as a walking corridor has been left in the crops. As this path turns east, leaving the Cross Britain Way, you have the honour of being the Slow Ways walker who is furthest from the sea! (you are just north of Church Flatts Farm). Despite having left the Cross Britain Way, the upkeep of the footpath is no less well maintained and helpful notes are written on the posts by the farmer to help you negotiate the way around the farm along with more crop corridors. As you enter Linton you leave the last truly rural section of the walk and it's mainly pavement from now on. Beyond Linton you descend the road before picking up a footpath "The Scotts" which is a track taking you through Castle Gresley and into the outskirts of Swadlincote. The final section to the bus station is via a series of walkways between houses, not really alleyways, more open and inviting than that. As you get to the end of the walk, you have the option to divert into the town centre which is pedestrianised. If not, you are delivered straight to the bus station. This route is direct, safe and varied. There are stopping places in Alrewas (pubs), Barton (pub and Starbucks), Walton (pub), Rosliston (pubs and shop), Linton (pub and chinese takeaway) and Swadlincote (cafes, pubs and restaurants). Full marks.

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