Kilkiv two

Verified Slow Way

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Walked from Killamarsh to Kiveton Park. A good enjoyable route. Mostly easy to follow, and a route that makes good use of the Cuckoo Way which broadly follows the line of the former Chesterfield Canal. We don't see much of the canal though, as all that remains are a few pools that now form part of ornamental gardens, and the locks are long gone.

From Killamarsh, we head up High Street and turn left onto Kirkcroft Lane, which takes us into the old village and past the church. Where Church Lane turns right up the hill, we take the surfaced footpath steeply uphill to the junction of Sheffield Road, Mansfield Road and Rotherham Road, We cross and head down Rotherham Road (stay on the left hand pavement - the one on the right does not continue as far as our exit). We ignore the Cuckoo Way signs and continue to an unsignposted drive on the right, which takes us back to the line of the canal and heads uphill along a surfaced lane through gardens, passing several of the former lock pools of the canal. Further up a path continues up the hill, where the best trodden line is more direct than the right of way.

We pass under the M1, and the Cuckoo Way again shortcuts the right of way across the next field - there is little evidence of anyone trying to stick to the right of way line here. Good tracks lead us to a four way path junction, where we take the left branch that leads us directly to the Kiveton Park meeting point by Kiveton Bridge station (which could be confusing for anyone walking the route in reverse and arriving by train, as Kiveton Park has its own station further east!).

I walked this route from Killamarsh in March. The route begins from the new precinct, uphill to reach the older settlement of stone-built houses around St Giles church. It then climbs through a green field to reach the main road and follows it to the canal crossing (fp sign). The section up the site of the flight of Norwood locks has plenty of visual interest. Eventually we reach the motorway and pass under. The next section begins through pasture and then follows a route through the colliery remains now known as Kiveton Community Woodland. The new building alongside the path will gradually change this walk I think. Watch out for the turning leading to the station. The section after the motorway was fairly muddy, despite the recent drought. I think that the canal-side section is worthy of four stars and the whole route is a pleasant way to join two urban hubs.

A good country walk using in part the Cuckoo Way which explores this disused section of the Chesterfield canal. Potential for cattle and one stile avoided by a broken down fence. Can be muddy in places after heavy rain, Sections are used by off road cyclists.

The route leaves Kiveton Bridge along a bridleway at the rear of houses before joining the Cuckoo Way alongside the Kiveton Community Woodland. Care is needed not to follow the footpath as it continues alongside the stream, our route bears right passing a steel barrier into an open field to follow the hedge on the right.

The cutting on the right suggests the canal but this was a railway, the canal was in a tunnel under our feet. The roar of the motorway can't be avoided as we pass underneath  before a descent to find the abandoned and overgrown tunnel mouth and canal. Executive development has blended the remains of the canal and structures into garden features making it an interesting location to speculate on the restoration plans.

A brick bridge over the water invites but having explored that I recommend the plotted tarmac drive which offers an easy walk to meet the road at Norwood for a pavement and a direct walk via a green space to Killamarsh church. From there it's quite roads to the meeting place by shops and bus stops.

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