Rainew two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Rainew here.

I walked south from New Ollerton, any winter mud had been dried by the approaching promised hot summer. The path surfaces offer excellent to easy walking and the fields of Oil Seed Rape had a satisfactory path cut through them. Being mid week and term time cyclists were thin on the ground even around the 'honey pot' which was quiet. Loos and refreshments are available at Go Ape and Rufford Country Park. A few sheep and horses with a slight chance of cattle in one field otherwise stock free. Elevation is not an issue on this walk. Rufford Abbey is the highlight of the walk so it's worth allowing time to explore off route here.

As often the case there are issues. The area could offer a route shorter by two miles if services at Go Ape were not required and an additional stretch of roadside pavement was acceptable. The plotting through Rufford is not correct although it's impossible to get lost here. The detour to services at Go Ape are worth a mention but not essential so should not be included in the route distance. The forest tracks are on access land and could be closed for timber work although this would appear unlikely with the level of tourist activity. There are discrepancies between the recorded path route and the available route north of Rainworth.

The exit from New Ollerton is straightforward and once over the Newark road we are in arable countryside. The path through the wheat was not fully reinstated which was a little concerning as a sea of yellow could be seen ahead. No worries as the path here had been cut through the crop, an earlier walk could have been a challenge. The tour around Rufford Hills Farm is very pleasant with manicured verges to the tracks. Here is the only field path where sheep and horses were present.

The road and ford at Rufford Mill is now closed so only local traffic. The route here is well plotted even after we leave the definitive path which is a dead end, I wonder why? The plotted straight line to the main gate on the A614 is not available but the path on the ground should take us through the extensive refreshment area and then through the courtyard where the loos are located. Turning right at the exit from the buildings will take us back to the plotted route and avoid conflict with the car park.

There is no exit onto the A614 at the main gate but a sign and path for the bus stop could be useful or a path left takes us to the main car entrance from where we can access the roadside pavement. This is not a pleasant part of the walk but the only available public link, it also requires a self assessed crossing of the busy road.

Once on the bridleway track it's easy walking alongside open field to the north and the penal colony of Centre Parcs (a high fence with razor wire keeps the inmates contained). An area of picnic benches marks the approach to Sherwood Pines where a small flood of cyclists met me. The route is now along good tracks, often dead straight, between trees.

I did go to explore the services at Go Ape but took a wiggle footpath (No cycles) and left via free play and exercise equipment, this avoided the main direct track. The centre provides food, drink and loos. I offer detail of this extensive provision in the gents which impressed me. A ten metre long urinal trough and a run of WC cubicles that most women would compliment, plus one way traffic to avoid congestion.

Back on the main route we pass a camp site after which, on the day of my visit, I had the track to myself. Here the route follows a line of steel pylons which aids navigation if assurance is required. This track has a buffer of deciduous trees and their fresh green leaves lightened my spirit. The surrounding were amazingly quiet and peaceful with only occasional birdsong.

The rail line that served Bilsthorpe Colliery is now a cycle route so there are a number of alternative east west routes here but they all must lead to the disused north south rail route. We encounter this high above us on an embankment which is inaccessible at this point. Our path passes through a tunnel and joins a metalled track which slowly climbs to the level where trains once ran. From here the cycle route heads south into an equally deep cutting. Our footpath stays on the original ground level before turning west.

The plot here offers one available route, the other is through the woodland neither appear to follow the definitive line as marked on OS maps. Take your pick until Notts County Council decide to waymark and perhaps clear the correct route. The section of path through Rainworth Water was decorated with the yellow flowers of broom before a flight of steps leads up to the road.

A detour to the safety of a pelican crossing then a zig-zag path leads to what was Rufford Colliery Lane although this section is now Petanque Way which marks a bit of rebranding for Rainworth.

I walked this route from Rainworth to New Ollerton. in January. I set out to walk Rainew 1 but there is an access issue at Rufford and I got lost trying to follow the Rainew1 route into Ollerton. This is the result....

The route leaves Rainworth across the heath and follows a field edge to pick up the Rainworth - Blidworth cycle trail. Following heavy rain these paths were muddy in places but nothing impassable. The section approaching and through Sherwood Pines is on good tracks. There are several possible routes here - beware of Kamikaze cyclists ! We leave Sherwood Pines and follow the boundary of the CenterParcs encampment. There is a section up the side of the A614 to reach the Rufford Country Park entrance. Cafe and toilets here. We leave the visitors centre following signs to the mill and lake. A path crosses the lake on an embankment before joining the right of way along the north shore.

At the lane we turn right and approach Rufford Hills farm. The RoW shown on the OS map has been diverted, but it is signed. The field paths could be muddy - they were when I walked the route. Watch out for the turn down the field to cross the Wellow - Rufford road before another muddy path to approach Ollerton. The RoW is signed here and has been constrained by new building into a wood-walled canyon. Leaving the houses we cross a railway bridge and then continue in the same direction following the lane along the side of the railway - out onto the pavement of the main road. Shops and supermarkets along here. Food outlets around the hub itself.

There were some nice scenic sections and varied terrain.

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