Clikey two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Having failed the route used by Clikey while attempting Kegkey I decided to try this one despite the road walking involved. I didn’t regret that decision as this is a most acceptable Slow Way linking three urban locations. There are a few stiles but mostly gates on the field sections where there could be cattle. The paths are well used so easy to locate while roadside verges and pavements make it safe.

I walked from Keyworth initially along estate road pavements then an enclosed path around a school which leads to open countryside. From the higher ground of Keyworth there is a good view towards Nottingham in the far distance. After passing under the railway bridge there were sheep before taking a pavement through Plumtree.

Passing the Griffin which appears to be the only service on offer then back into fields where haymaking was yet to take place so if the grass had been wet with dew or rain it would be been a wet feet walk. Meeting a track which takes us under the railway for a second time we follow this as it opens out alongside a field to Flawford. The recorded footpath passes around the site of Flawford church but most now walk through the site of St. Peter’s, demolished soon after a new church was provided for Ruddington in 1773. Most of the grave memorials were reused for other purposes along with the stone from the church.

The grass verge along the busy road made a safe path, a better surface than many field paths. Often mown to a high standard along the frontage of some large houses. On my last walk along here many years ago I recall thinking the houses looked bleak but now their surroundings have greened up to the extent that the ostentatious facades are obscured.

Ruddington offers a welcome sign and roadworks so extra care was required as I crossed the road. I did make a detour to see one museum so offer an off route picture. Plenty of services in the village / town although I didn’t spot a loo. I nearly missed Manor Park so keep a watch on the plot for this worthwhile departure from the main road.

I also missed the subtle deviation of the plotting which avoids traffic and the climb over the old rail bridge. Pavements on either side, I crossed the road to take the inside of the bend but here the pavement is narrow so stay on the left. We cross the Fairham Brook which marks the boundary into the city and the start of the vast Clifton Estate.

A product of post war house building it offers wide tree lined roads and some large gardens with a mix of green fingered attention from the residents. The meeting place is well located close to shops, seats, trams and buses.

We only walked the Ruddington to Plumtree part of the route, adding on a detour to Normanton in the Wolds, but we have walked the Clifton section previously and can verify it. It was a warm June day, but we were pleased I wore long trousers due to some overgrown vegetation in places towards Plumtree. I was worried that the Flawforth Lane section might not be safe, but as previous reviewer noted, the verge generally has a mowed path which was easy to walk in single file. Technically the footpath goes skirts to the left of the old Flawforth church remains, but this was overgrown, and the route instead goes directly across the field with the headstones and emerges through the hedge to rejoin the footpath in about 100 yards, heading out towards Plumtree. This part of the route is regularly used by dog walkers and there is a parking area just outside the remains.

While not part of this CLIKEY2 route, we then followed the footpaths through Plumtree, crossed the Melton Rd over the footstile and walked into Normanton for a pub lunch at the Plough Inn (lovely garden), looping back through Normanton on the road, crossing the Melton Rd again and rejoining the route back to Ruddington).

Enoyable walk and one we would repeat. There were various styles and kissing gates that would not make this suitable for anyone with accessibility issues.

Walked from Keyworth to Clifton on a mostly dry afternoon after a lot of rain. A little muddy, but safer than CLIKEY one. Good views from the hill north of Keyworth.

The first task is to reach the edge of Keyworth - this is a simple pavement walk to Crossdale Drive, where our path goes through an alley around the left hand side of the primary school. Beyond the school we emerge into open fields at the top of a hill with fine views. Here the path becomes unsurfaced and can be wet and muddy, and in the bottom field above the railway, it is clear that many walkers choose to follow the edge of the field though there is evidence that some people still use the direct line, so take your pick. Beyond the bridge under the railway we cross a sheep pasture (there are stiles) then follow Station Road (which has a pavement) into Plumtree, then straight on past the Griffin pub.

Eventually we take the signposted footpath left which crosses more potentially muddy fields and a couple more stiles to reach the bridleway. This is an excellent old lane, but it may be wet at times though the puddles can usually be avoided. It crosses into fields before a house, then goes through a largely abandoned graveyard to reach Flawforth Lane, where we go straight on along the wide grass verge on the south side.

Just before the A60 junction we cross to the north side. Lights and central refuges make the A60 crossing fairly safe, and we then go straight on into the centre of Ruddington, then right up the High Street, using the zebra crossing to cross then continuing up Wilford Road. I chose to use Manor Road to take us off the main roads for a bit, we then follow the Clifton Road, turning left into Old Station Drive to cross the line of the old Great Central Railway, rejoining Clifton Road at a roundabout. From here the rest of the route is a simple pavement walk, which is unavoidable at least as far as Fairham Brook (there are longer alternatives here but it is easiest just to continue on the pavements).

Overall this is a good safe route, but the stiles and muddy sections mean it is not wheel friendly (but no worse than Clikey one on that score, and there aren't any safe wheelchair routes available between Keyworth and Ruddington).

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