Beecli one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

It's okay if you want to go to Beeston or Clifton. However, I prefer walking down to Beeston Marina and then walking into Beeston through that way.

Walked from Beeston to Clifton on a summer Sunday after rain. For the most part this is a good route (all on very familiar territory), on clear paths and pavements throughout - the only questionable decision is not to use the path that goes under the A453 between Clifton Lane and Westerfield Way. [Crossing at the roundabout is fairly safe but can require patience and care. I also left the route to investigate the options for avoiding the steps at the north end of the path along Fairham Brook - I have walked this path many times over the last few years including at least once on a SlowWay so didn't feel the need to repeat it today. My conclusion is that the path that goes east from Brookthorpe Way opposite Monks Way is the best step-free alternative - this path is fully surfaced and has drop kerbs where necessary]. I also had to detour slightly because of a temporary closure of Silverdale Walk - it is easy enough to use the surfaced path alongside the tram tracks to get round this.

From Beeston Centre tram stop we cross Middle Street at the lights and take the alleyway (Moore Gate) onto Waverley Avenue, then cross Queens Road at the lights and continue on Station Road, which crosses the railway on a long flyover (the level crossing is long gone). We follow the road (later Meadow Road) out to the canal bridge and cross the canal. Here it is easiest to take the lane on the right hand side of the wall (not the towpath) though you can use the towpath as far as the first footbridge. The path right to the river is obvious, as is the popular riverside path.

When we reach Lenton Lane at the sports club we follow it (my personal preference would be to stay on the riverside path as far as Clifton Bridge then double back to Lenton Lane). We have to follow Lenton Lane left to reach the ramped cycle track that crosses Clifton Bridge. At the far side of the bridge this route uses the ramped cycle track but there is a shorter route down steps. We turn left along Clifton Lane then cross a small green space on a surfaced track to reach the roundabout (for me the underpass to the left is a better and safer route but this does not justify creating an alternative).

The surfaced path alongside Fairham Brook has steps at the start where it crosses the flood barrier and is not as pleasant as it looks on the map - the stream is largely hidden behind trees. If steps are a problem, there is a simple but longish detour available - use the underpass, continue along Brookthorpe Way and take the path right opposite Monks Way. After crossing the bridge we turn left. Beyond the tram tracks the path is currently closed, but there is an easy alternative route to Farnborough Road along the tram tracks.

We follow Farnborough Road down a gentle hill then turn right at Swansdowne Drive, and almost immediately head left into the trees on a surfaced path, which we follow over the stream and right into Clifton Central Flower Park, then take the well used rougher gravel track to the top left corner. The meeting point at Clifton Central tram stop is just over the top of the hill.

We walked from Clifton to Beeston on a grey but dry winters day. This is a reasonable route with metal roads and well-tended gravel paths, although without highlights.

We began in Clifton Centre, by the tram stop, walking through Clifton Central Park and onto Farnborough Road. This was a bit of a trudge past schools and allotments to get to an alleyway. We then walked along Farnham Brook and under the Remembrance Way (use the underpass when you walk this route). We then walked over the A52 Clifton Bridge before walking back past Restaurant Sat Bains (ooh, the smells!) and along the River Trent. We then made our way to Beeston via the Beeston canal bridge and Beeston Rylands.

I believe that this route can be improved by moving the path from Farnborough Road to the Clifton Campus, overlooking the Trent from the other riverbank. It is a little longer but is a more pleasant walk.

Useable route, but I've met pedestrians who find the lenton lane section a bit confusing.

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