Tamswa two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Tamswa here.

A great walk in the centre section but iffy towards both ends. No cattle seen and very few stiles although those used were poor, mud, crops and too many paths to sort out where we should be.

I walked from Swadlincote and found the exit traffic free paths most enjoyable to use along with a lot of locals. A section of path at Church Gresley was overgrown so can be avoided using Church View to access Mouth Pleasant Road. The section from Swainspark, Park Road to Overseal was challenging. The path south from Park Road is signed but was very overgrown and off putting. The well used cycle track is inviting but is not the Slow Way route. I was very tempted to take the easy option but pressed on through the overgrown path which eventually did improve and a footbridge and gate confirmed this to be the route.

There is a hint of a walked path and for a short section the surface is good, this being a go to nowhere bridleway which our footpath soon leaves, a close eye on the plot is essential. The path is very soft in places but can be traced. I now discover this area was Wadlands Wharf the terminal point of the Ashby canal, nothing left to suggest that on site. Entering an open field looks better but this is cattle trodden and would be difficult when baked. An interesting stone sculpture with a snail, offers a hint of local interest but we then turn up a fenced path with running water. There must be a better way for this section.

Overseal has shops and an inn plus I guess buses. From here things are five star the path is excellent and well used. It’s also the National Forest Way but I wouldn’t give that credit. The hay harvest was in progress and the lake had swans posing for pictures, a perfect path through wonderful countryside.

A section of roadside pavement takes us into Netherseal. The shop / PO and inn appears to have closed. Here I made a visit to the grave of Sir Nigel Gresley (railways if you don’t know). I also did a detour to the church and found a useful water tap on this sunny day. The path continues as before easy to follow and unobstructed with vegetation, crops or barriers, an easy walk.

Approaching Clifton Campville, locals ignore the footpath, it was cleared through the crop but had little evidence of use. The Green Man off route has now closed so I was pleased to find seats and a tap at the church.

From here the path starts and ends as a track but is challenging as it passes the hidden buildings of a large hen / egg farm. I do wonder why anyone would want to camp here. We pass the site and meet the road along their access track. The road section is fine I would compare it to walking a surfaced cycle route only the open views are far superior. I passed one bike and two cars, an easy and pleasant bit of walking. A huge solar farm was under construction alongside the road. The Dale is the minor summit of the road.

The next footpath is along a field edge and then a farm track so more easy navigation and walking. Crossing the road I expected the next path across an arable field to be invisible but no, it had been cleared. That is as far as the stile then in the next field the path vanished under a crop of wheat. So back to a challenging path with a stile topped by barbed wire and field of maize, easy as the crop was low but it will be impossible later in the year.

Approaching the River Anker there are more houses than on my map and hence more use of access. Not sure if it was on the correct line but it offered a route. First around a development that had not made improvement but then an excellent section with seats. Sadly, as I anticipated, the surface on this well used path deteriorated as it passes under the railway. The path through the mobile home park is fine then we are on streets from the rail station to the town centre.

A great country walk in part but with some challenges towards each end.

A safe, direct and very easy route to follow. The majority of it is off road although there is a section south of Haunton which follows a lane for miles. The lane is quiet, has good sight lines, an open verge and when I walked it, was more popular with cyclists than motorists.
There are definitely more places to stop at the Swadlincote end with pubs and shops in Netherseal and Overseal. There are also copious benches in the Derbyshire section of the walk. There are bus stops throughout the walk from Swadlincote to Netherseal and then also in Clifton Campville. There are stiles and the route gets quite boggy in parts, I'd recommend wearing boots. Overall the walk is quite varied and there are great views across four counties as well as opportunities to see wildlife. A superb slow way!.

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