Botgra one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Grantham to Bottesford on a fine spring Sunday after a fairly wet week. A good and fairly direct route which I am happy to snail. There are no steps or stiles, most of it is well surfaced and it is easy to follow, and the canal sections are pretty in places.

From the station at Grantham, we go a short distance north down Station Road then take the little pedestrian tunnel left, turning right at Huntingtower Road to reach Harlaxton Road. There is a zebra crossing just right here if needed. We cross and turn left, then right beyond the allotments down Earlesfield Lane, which takes us to the Grantham canal. This section is severed by the A1 and although as Ken says it seems an unnecessary detour, it was the only part of the route I had not walked before so this added interest for me. We follow the canal to the end of the path at the A607 roundabout, then go left to return to Harlaxton Road, where we go right under the A1 bridge, then right again to rejoin the canal.

We follow the canal for some distance. Eventually we reach Woolsthorpe Locks, where the pub is just to the left of the canal and easy to reach over the little bridge. From here the towpath is grassy and unsurfaced, but more interesting than the parallel cycle track. Most of the locks have now been restored, but the bottom two are effectively little weirs. As we approach Muston bridge there are several places where it is possible to join the cycle track, but none of them match the GPX line - I chose to remain on the towpath and double back right just before the bridge.

The cycle track cuts a corner on Woolsthorpe Lane, but eventually we return to the quiet road and follow it into Muston, going straight on to the no through road which is severed by the A52 Bottesford bypass. The main road has gates on either side. We then follow the road into Bottesford and around to the station meeting point. I think the meeting point here is fine, as the train services in and out of Bottesford are much better than the buses, especially from the Bingham/Nottingham direction.

15/12/2022 This is a very enjoyable route. I started at Grantham Railway Station and finished at Bottesford Railway Station. Its a pity not so much of the Grantham Canal now exists at the Grantham end East of the A 1. I was pleased to find very a very high standard of maintenance being carried out hedge cutting and grass mowing. I had a very enjoyable lunch at the Rutland Arms ( Dirty Duck ) There is a seat near Muston Bridge for lunch if anyone doesn't want to use the Duck for lunch.
Relive Video Here https://www.relive.cc/view/vdOR4GnmRrq
Well Done Mr B.

A very good walk, no stiles, no cattle, easy navigation. Highly recommended and with care a bus or train links Bottesford and Grantham for a good linear leisure walk.

Starting from Grantham station, not the most central of locations and no seats, outside Wetherspoons in town would be much better. The route dives into a low narrow but illuminated tunnel under the station before joining the pavement alongside the main road. I can't see the advantage of the loop onto the isolated section of canal but it's there if you want it or just stay on the road which the route has to rejoin to pass under the A1.

From here it's easy rural towpath walking. The surface is good, shared with occasional cycles, dog walkers and anglers. A link to Harlaxton village at the second bridge where the fairytale manor serves as an outpost of the University of Evansville in Indiana, USA.

In the hedge bottom mileposts mark your journey counting down from 33 miles at Grantham. This section of the canal is all on one level until Woolsthorpe where the first or last lock can be seen. From here there is a choice, not clear on the plot so you can either climb the slope onto the old rail line, now a cycle track or stay on the canal. The advantage of this latter route is easy access to The Rutland Arms Inn. The Duke of Rutland being the owner of the Inn although not the landlord. The canal walk continues alongside more locks to the edge of Muston village where the towpath route joins the cycle route for a short way before joining the road. Walking in the opposite direction the plot isn't clear when it's time to transfer from road to cycle track, so take care.

Muston village is pleasant but the only services are The Muston Gap Inn on the main road or Old Forge Tea Rooms opposite the church. The route continues along what was the main road but cut off since the Bottesford Bypass was built so it's a quiet dead end with proper crossing arrangements although no lights to stop the traffic.

On the other side the road again a dead end is quiet to Easthorpe village. The plotted route to the station fails to take advantage of a cross field shortcut. To be honest, who wants to go to Bottesford railway station? There is nothing there and it's a half mile from shops and pubs at the village centre. This meeting point needs amending, so cut down the path past the village hall.

I've walked this route many times, most of the pictures are from a winter walk in 2010.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.