Rainew three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Rainew here.

Walked from New Ollerton to Rainworth. Mostly excellent, safe and on good paths, no stiles,steps or gates. Just 2 very minor concerns:
1. The path that runs south south east from Sherwood Pines to the old railway is not continuous - there is a short gap near Eakring Road where a little ingenuity is needed to see the way forward, which involves stepping over a low but solid wooden fence, and
2. Where we leave the old railway on the edge of Rainworth it is easier and safer to use the ramped cycle path on the east side rather than the steep scramble up the west bank that the GPX suggests. There may well be a more accessible route through the forest. The whole is still an excellent and enjoyable route with fine scenery, and the highlight is the section through Rufford Park (not strictly in the middle third, but plenty of facilities here).

From New Ollerton, we follow pavements through the old village then along the A614 as far as the bridge under the old colliery railway, then take the field path directly to the road near Rufford Mill (now closed to through traffic because too many vehicles have underestimated the depth of the ford). We take the popular path into Rufford park, taking the right branch where it splits, which crosses the lake on bridges and little islands. We then pass the house on the left, then enter the courtyard or (as I did because I missed the entrance and didn't need a pit stop) walk round the south of the building.

We follow the old drive most of the way back to the A614, but since the main gates are normally locked a path has developed taking is to the car park entrance. We then follow the road south on a fairly good pavement, then cross with care where the Robin Hood Way crosses. A bridlepath leads to the main entrance of Centreparcs, whose razor wire topped perimeter fence (and I agree with Ken's comments in his review of RAINEW 2) does rather suggest a prison camp rather than a holiday village. Eventually we reach a path junction, well supplied with benches and picnic tables, some inside a shelter, and take the good path straight on and slightly left through the forest.

Eventually we reach the power lines and take another good path left. As noted before, there is no path forward where we hit the cycle trail, but I found a rough path a few meters right which crosses a low wooden fence to reach Eakring Road. Beyond the road we pick up another clear path. The rest of the walk through the forest is easy as long as one watches for the junctions, and you should emerge from the wood on the obvious cycle route which crosses under the old colliery railway by a stream. Beyond we turn left and follow the railway to the edge of Rainworth, then take the signposted cycletrack which starts off heading east then doubles back alongside the main road to reach the road, which leads us easily into the centre of Rainworth.

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