Kegcli one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

I walked Clifton to Kegworth. Getting off road south of Gotham the walk is good but before that it's challenging especially with the development taking place on what was Clifton Meadow. A path needs to be kept open as a safe link between Clifton and Gotham.

The quiet estate roads through Clifton were fine but I didn't expect to pass a new development named Old School Close in Clifton an area developed on green fields in the 1950s, how old is old?

The path across the meadow was on the register for a temporary closure from 1/3/2023 the day of my walk. The path was not blocked but the notice was in place and having read it online I knew this brought the closure into operation. Fortunately there was a diversion route shown on the notice, not always a provision, so I attempted to use it. That was along a new section of road also closed. I managed to get around barriers but the alternative route was unsigned. It was not until I escaped the area for development that I confidently regained the route of the footpath. It is important that a footpath route is maintained because the road is not a pleasant one to walk along.

Meeting the road a footpath opposite follows the old route of the road over Cheese Hill, the sign will tell you more. Meeting the road again there is a pavement into Gotham. I'm unable to see a purpose for the village tour it's there if you want it but onward to Kegworth can be more direct and does pass the village shop.

The road walk started well but the pavement quickly deteriorated and eventually vanished. I can accept a short section of such road walking but this was excessive although the map fails to offer a safer alternative so looks like we are stuck with it. Once off the road things do improve.

The footpath here resembles a green lane, confined between hedges. A faded notice on a post reports a claim to upgrade the route to a Restricted Byway which if successful would protect the western end from ploughing.

Crossing the road a sign confirms our right to walk along the access road to the power station ash tip. Signs also state PPE is required but I guess that only applies to those at work not here for pleasure. I'd never thought about the amount of ash that would be created by fifty years of burning coal to make our electricity. The pile is huge but a planning application and activity suggests it has a new use and is on the move.

We don't quite make entry to the village after which the dominating 2,000 MW power station is named but like the next settlement, Kingston, I guess there are no facilities to attract us, unless you fancy a read from the well stocked book swap in the bus shelter.

The final section starts across a well grazed paddock then through a diminutive bridge under the railway. This person sized bridge proves to me that our footpath was here before the railway arrived in 1840.

At the road it's a direct route after the canal and river bridges along a short cut footpath into Kegworth and the meeting place by the church with shops and buses.

I walked this route from Clifton to Kegworth, and am happy for it to be used as a Slow Way, though not one suitable for any form of wheeled transport because there are steps and a few stiles. The first part through Clifton is mostly pavements apart from the path past Glapton Wood, but the edge of the urban area is soon reached without trouble.

The path across towards Gotham has changed quite significantly in the last two years thanks to the ongoing building work in the fields south of Clifton. It is clearly marked, but is now quite a bit longer than the straight line that marks the right of way - so far the building work has mostly been new roads and a bit of relandscaping to create a new pool (which we now have to walk round because it was on the old path). The building site is full of some of the tallest thistles I have ever seen, fortunately the path is not covered in them, though they do encroach a little. I expect further disruption as the building work continues.

Beyond the little wood the path has reverted to the old right of way line and is clearly cut through the crop, but the path goes over the little footbridge south of the right of way line. I had no problems following it as far as the road, but there are some small steps up to the road.

The little path on the far side is a little overgrown but still fairly easy to follow. On the road into Gotham the pavements are better on the east/south side. The route into Gotham church was new to me, but easy to follow.

Leaving Gotham on Kegworth Road, once beyond the village the pavement continues on the south side (narrow and not fully surfaced) up to where the bridleway crosses. Beyond that there is no pavements, and the verges are not ideal for walking, so watch out for lorries. The path is soon reached - two old green lanes take you most of the way to the next road and the continuation across the field is obvious.

The path continues along a road that is heavily used by lorries to and from Ratcliffe power station, but it is wide enough to walk safely. The path soon leaves the road to go through the wood, one of the best parts of the walk.

The way forward as far as the railway bridge at Ratcliffe is clear and well marked, as is the field path over to Kingston, and happily I can report that the footbridge into the village has been mended.

The next field path towards the railway is also clearly marked. The railway is crossed using a little tunnel, with stiles on both sides and a few steps on the far (west) side.

Another couple of well marked fields take you to the road bridges over the canal and the Soar, beyond which an easy straight path makes a beeline towards the meeting point and the end of the walk (the beeline is interrupted slightly by the churchyard).

Overall I think this is probably the best direct route available. There are longer alternatives, notably the river path from Clifton to Thrumpton, and going over Gotham Hill. There are also more accessible but less interesting direct routes alongside the A453, but on balance I don't think any of them need to be created as alternative Slow Ways.

I walked this route from Kegworth. It starts on quiet roads before a path between the houses leads to the bridge over the river Soar. After the bridge the route follows rights of way across the fields and under the railway to reach Kingston on Soar. Leaving the village the path is officially closed (May 2022, and has been since Dec 2021) because there is no deck on the footbridge over the brook. Having conducted a risk assessment I had no difficulty crossing the bridge girders to get to the other side. The path onwards is clear across the fields and brings you to Gotham. The path across the fields over Barton Moor and Clifton Pasture was clearly blazed when I walked the route. The section around the building site is obvious and fenced. The route finishes through quiet streets to reach the centre of Clifton.

If this walk ended at the midpoint in Gotham then I'd give it 5 stars, it's a lovely mix of open fields, nice villages and wooded areas. However, the public footpath across the fields north of Gotham is completely non-existent, clearly this farmer doesn't take too kindly to walkers on their land. When it does reappear just south of Clifton, it's been diverted by a housing development so there will be heavy machine crossing its path during working hours.

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.