Norgla one

Verified Slow Way

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I walked Glapwell to North Wingfield. A very good country walk which takes in Hardwick Park but not the halls. Loos and takeaway refreshments at Hardwick lower car park. There may be mud but it was frozen solid for me.

The exit from Glapwell could be amended to avoid steps but with stiles and mud on route that is not a significant issue. I have also walked the quiet road to avoid the mud but that's longer. Ault Hucknall church has a tap and seat, not used on this walk in frosty conditions.

The approach to the park is a track used by occasional traffic and the postie. Once in the park be guided by the plot. The road walk to Aswith is fine but misses a wonderful direct footpath through pasture which I used as part of Clagla-2.

Branch Road Astwith is quiet and has wide verges plus a distant view across to Bolsover castle, it also has seats at both ends. The next road crossing is direct but care is needed as traffic is heavy and fast. More open views to the north which were great in the bright winter sunshine. The plotting here is wrong being north of the actual path although the field exit point is correct. Crossing the Five Pits Trail there are more seats but too cold to linger today.

Approaching North Wingfield the path stays in the recreation ground then crosses a stream and back into fields to make the final approach. The meeting place has no seats perhaps to discourage rowdy Slow Wayers congregating. There are seats just across the road.

Walked from North Wingfield to Glapwell. The public ways that cross fields may be less easy to follow at other times of year - but in November it was easy. And although it has been very wet recently, only the last two fields into Glapwell were really muddy and slippery. The weather was misty and dull but the last of the autumn colours lit up the trees and hedgerows.

A nice mix of fields (mainly winter wheat and brassicas), country lanes and Herdwick Hall estate. The only chance of food and drink along the walk is a small detour to the Herdwick Inn about half way. There were a number of simple wooden stiles and narrow gates.

Take care crossing the B6039 (surprisingly busy) and then Branch Lane and Astwith Lane are very pleasant country lanes - on a Saturday in November saw no cars all the way and they are lined with beautiful old trees - sycamore, oak, sweet chestnut. The short stretch that follows is along a main road but has a more than adequate pavement to take you to the tunnel under the M1 and into the Herdwick Hall estate.

The walk through the Herdwick estate is lovely and many different routes can be taken to exit towards Ault Hucknall church and village (said to be the smallest village in England) finishing across some muddy fields to Glapwell. Apart from a bus stop and The Young Vanish Inn on the main road there is a cafe at the garden centre which looks really nice but I had no time to go find it before the bus home.

I walked this route from North Wingfield in June. The route finding is tricky in places although all the paths exist. As a result the 1:25000 map with field boundaries is highly recommended. There are some good views along the way. There are no particular hazards.

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