Kivwor one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route from Kiveton Bridge station in late February. The route starts on paths across the landscaped site of the former colliery. If time allows a short detour to the summit is rewarded by good views and interesting installations. From here the path approaches the end of the canal (where it once emerged from a tunnel) the tow path starts along the south bank of the canal, the Cuckoo Way right of way follows the north side (this section is a thin path through vegetation that will be muddy after wet weather). The two paths meet up by Kiveton Park station and a surface path follows the canal all the way to Worksop. This is one of my favourite walks in the area. There are always good views, changing with the seasons. Highly recommended.

I highly recommend this Slow Way, easy walking, great location and good transport links. A perfect day out from Sheffield making a change of scene from the equally accessible Peak District.

I walked Worksop to Kiveton Park on a dull autumn day after a very wet November. The station is not the best location for the meeting point but works well on this walk served by four stations if you need to bail out. The link to the canal could be improved but once on the towpath it's simple navigation along a bonded surface path.

The Chesterfield canal had long been navigable to Worksop and the wide hole we walk around was the head of navigation until the section of today's walk was restored 20 plus years ago. Rhodesia marks the start of real countryside although the canal had offered a pleasant green blue corridor so far. Work on the lock here and elsewhere confirms that new needs attention after twenty years.

I passed a few moored boats, no movement today because of the lock closure. Approaching Shireoaks a marina offered secure and some residential berths. At the road crossing there is a shop and access to the station on days other than today, another rail strike. From here the towpath remains good but is now a simple stone surface.

The canal through Turnerwood is a delight although a few steps spoils the otherwise easy wheeled way. This section of the canal is a Conservation Area but wood in water doesn't last for ever so more repairs are in hand using modern methods.

Thorpe are the last locks, climbing to the summit pound through Kiveton Park and another station and inn. From here I now see that the plot uses the public footpath north of the canal which may explain the further drop in surface quality because I stayed on the towpath which offered the best view approaching the vegetation covered entrance to Norwood tunnel.

There was never a towing path through the tunnel so we must go over the top and the path now enters a field so real county walking although a stone surface has been laid. A continuous raised hump alongside the path suggests spoil from the tunnel confirming we are on route.

Kiveton Water used for fishing is the proposed site of a marina when the canal climbs higher to avoid restoration of the tunnel. Here we leave the canal line and enjoy passage through Kiveton Community Woodland which also has open grassland and excellent paths. This was the site of the colliery of which only the spoil and impressive offices remain. Close to the meeting point a bus shelter and station platford may offer seating and shelter.

As always a few weak links, at both ends in this case but the majority along the canal and the community woodland site makes this an excellent Slow Way.

A very pleasant walk along the Chesterfield canal, a railway station at each end with hourly trains so transport not a problem. Well signposted & obviously no climbs of any note. Would highly recommend the walk.

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