Seleas one

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Second part of a two route walk from Hucknall to Eastwood via Selston, both previously reviewed by Ken walking in the other direction. I agree with him that this is a pretty good route, which makes the most of the green spaces through a semi-urban area.

Starting at the park in Selston, we go a short distance along Nottingham Road and follow the footpath right. This is a surfaced track between fences, so it is impossible to lose. It leads up the hill to a housing estate - some of the roads here have no pavements, but they are quiet. A path leads right from Alma Road and crosses fields down to Bagthorpe. Like Ken, I called in at the Dixie Arms, which is just opposite the end of Church Lane, which we follow up the hill to Underwood church, then take the diagonal shortcut to Main Road. Where Main Road turns right, we continue straight on down Winter Closes. We ignore the first footpath left and take the second, a surfaced bridlepath. I was tempted by the steps up to the left, thinking they might lead to a viewpoint, but the trees prevent most of the view from the top being seen.

On reaching Cordy Lane we turn right and follow the pavement on the right hand side of the road to the corner, where the path goes left just before the bus shelter (I couldn't see a sign but the path is obvious if you are looking for it). We turn left at a T junction and then right through the field, picking up a farm track which leads through left of Willey Wood Farm. At another T junction we turn right and continue following the clear farm track past Coney Grey Farm most of the way to the edge of Eastwood, turning right at a crossroads and left through the edge of a park to emerge on Lower Beauvale.

We cross the road, turn right and take the second left turn up the hill past the D.H. Lawrence house, crossing Garden Road and following the path through the park to Walker Street, which we follow round to Nottingham Road, where the meeting point is a short distance to the right.

No major issues with this route, the only difficulties are a few unsurfaced field paths.

I walked the route Eastwood to Selston on a bright dry day. Well plotted and generally easy going along good paths, a few stiles as would be expected on field paths, no cattle seen.

Good meeting point with a public loo that is not closed. The route exits appropriately along Walker Street following the faded blue line of the Lawrence Trail. How long will David Herbert and Lady Chatterley remain a tourist attraction? We pass two homes of the Lawrence family, take care you may miss them. Number 28 The Breach became 'The Bottoms' in 'Sons and Lovers'

On to the first footpath, the green hill in the distance left is a spoil heap and there are more on this walk but all are now green with trees and bushes, all evidence of the once mighty coal industry has vanished.

At Willey Wood Farm the route takes the second path left after the farm. This is far less obvious and the first path would end at the same place so no real worries. I did wonder about a diversion via Oaktree Farm to avoid the busy road but there is a pavement and leaving the traffic the plotted path is excellent along the old rail line that once served Selston Colliery.

The route passes a shop in Underwood and it's about half way. A pit head wheel stands in the churchyard, not an uncommon reminder around here but unusual being a full wheel. I had reservations about the road section to Bagthorpe when field paths were available but the Red Lion looked inviting, although closed as I passed. A pavement offers safe passage along the quiet road.

At the foot of the hill I was delighted to rediscover the Dixie Arms and at five past noon the door was open so I had to take a look inside and wasn't disappointed. I sat with a pint of Ay Up from Dancing Duck Brewery and munched my own sandwiches beside a blazing open fire. Yes no food here so take your own and they do serve coffee should that be preferred.

Back in the fields another stile but then gates, not forgetting some that have been supplied but are no longer used, I can think of places they would be appreciated to replace rickety stiles. Alma is a strange little isolated settlement along with Inkerman and Handstubbing or take the footpath to the recreation ground at Skegness.

This walk restored my faith in urban link Slow Ways. I have done a few that were depressing and unpleasant. Looking at the map this area looks quite built up and the trip by road would be passing ribbon development most of the way but this route passes through green fields with some excellent views, highly recommended.

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