Burmel three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Burmel here.

This is "a" route between Burton and Melbourne. Its credentials as a Slow Way are shaky but I'm happy to pass it as one. We started from Melbourne and this is the first Melbourne Slow Way I've reviewed which follows the main street to the edge of the village. This proves to be rewarding as there are some very interesting buildings along it. The section by Staunton Harold Reservoir is a pleasant and well maintained walk. Beyond there is a section of footpaths across fields and then through woodland until you reach Ticknall. Ticknall itself is pleasant although the pub we passed was long boarded up! Having joined the National Forest Way, we passed near Hangman's Stone and an orchard, its apples now food for the birds! Foremark Reservoir is an intriguing place to walk as the beaches you pass are all fenced off to deter swimmers. This was not a problem on the damp December day we walked! There is a shop and cafe here which at a third of a way through the walk could prove a useful stopping place. A nature reserve follows which makes for a pleasant woodland walk, although the route can be a challenge to follow here. Leaving the forest there is some straight open grassland walking with Swadlincote on the hills above you. A turn to the right soon begins in earnest what my Mother would have called a "Grand Old Duke of York" walk. The section to Bretby undulates to put in mildly, the going was soft and some of the ascents felt quite tough. A lot of the time, you could see that ahead of you, you would need to go down only to go back up again. Beyond Bretby (a pretty village) is a section of lane walking which felt less than secure to be doing. A pavement appears and it's all road for a while but the payoff is some spectacular views north and west. A footpath leads to a narrow alleyway which is the boundary between the East and West Midlands as you enter Winshill. There are a few shops and a pub or two in Winshill but we waited until we got to Burton for refreshments. Having crossed the long Burton Bridge over the Trent, we went to the excellent Burton Bridge Inn. The walk through Burton to the meeting point is simple and safe from there and well served with stops and shops. In the credo of Slow Ways this route is mostly safe (Burmel two is safer) but could not be described as direct. Following it is not always easy but it is a pleasant, predominantly offroad walk.

I enjoyed the walk, passing two reservoirs and their facilities plus the interest of Carver's Rocks, a small detour to Hangman's Stone, Bretby Castle and some good views, even on a misty December day. The difference between 11 and 13 miles is not so much when you are more likely walking between Burton and Melboure for pleasure not need.

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