The route did take me to places I’d not been before which I enjoyed but I do wonder with so much good surface on this Slow Way whether the improved surface around the country park would be a better option....

Ken

Evenually we descend fairly steeply to reach the centre of Pleasley (where there are pubs), cross the Meden and head left up Chesterfield Road (the pavement on the west side stops above Newboundmill Lane so it is better to cross and use the east one. Here we follow the path around the cars and up the hill beyond, taking the surfaced path half left beyond a gate not the grassy path straight on. At the top of the hill we go right and left, still on a surfaced track, then bear right over a small paved area and continue to pick up a wetter and less well surfaced path left beyond the lake....

Hugh Hudson

As reviewed by Hugh the route to or from Mansfield Woodhouse station emphasises the need for a change here....

Ken

There are steps on the path down from Mansfield bus station to Stockwell Gate, which is just south of Quaker Way, which crosses Stockwell Gate on a bridge. Leaving the meeting point at Mansfield bus station, the route may not be obvious, since the GPX file rather optimistically shows a straight line from the start to the bridge over Stockwell Gate on Quaker Way....

Hugh Hudson

Beyond the dam we take the ramped path left (signposted Timberland Trail) which takes us over the railway, where we go left over the bridge and continue to follow the Trail. At the traffic lights we cross Sheepbridge Lane and go a short distance right, then take the surfaced path (Timberland Trail again) left alongside the river Maun. Beyond the rather impressive old railway viaduct we take the second bridge over the river, cross Quarry Lane and take the path left across the car park of Field Mill (the Mansfield Town football ground)....

Hugh Hudson

Leaving Rainworth, we follow Southwell Road East west up the hill, turning right into First Avenue, then left at the end and right again on a path that leads onto the old railway. The surfaced track descends into a railway cutting and crosses Big Barn Lane to emerge on Little Barn Lane, where we go right a short distance to find the track continuing on the left, down past an area of parkland onto Selwyn Street, where we go left a short distance, crossing the main road using the central refuge and taking the path that goes up opposite. We leave the old railway at Windsor Road, which we cross and go right a short distance to find a surfaced track following the edge of the park down to the left....

Hugh Hudson

Leaving Mansfield, there's a short stretch through relatively uninspiring and unattractive large roads of a retail park before joining the lovely Timberland Trail....

mtormey

A pleasant if hilly road walk away from the main road. Stone Cross Lane sounds nice but needs a bit of attention to offer a pleasant traffic free path. The route to or from Mansfield Woodhouse station emphasises the need for a change here because the available route heads north before starting southwards unless it uses the car park approach....

Ken

This is mostly an easy walk to follow using pavements and tarmac cycle tracks for all of the route from Mansfield to the crossing of the Rainworth bypass and then a disused railway line with good surface....

Rob23Notts

Where the trail ends, after crossing Fisher Lane park, the route is on quiet roads with pavements....

StephenWalker

There are pavements in Pleasley but the section along High Street and Water Lane has no pavement for most of the route....

StephenWalker

From the bus station the route uses the link to the railway station, underpass and station platform to reach the retail park on the west of the main road (Portland Street)....

StephenWalker

A straightforward urban route of just 1.7 miles, along the pavements beside roads. The A60 (Woodhouse Road) is busier but not oppressively so. Shops and pubs along the way, for those who need them....

StephenWalker

I agree with the previous reviewer that the section between Mansfield Station and Sheepbridge Lane is enclosed and has a steep flight of steps over the railway. It is not unsafe, but it doesn't feel safe! I have posted another route with an alternative to this Mansfield section....

StephenWalker

Steps on the bridge over the railway lead to a quite narrow path enclosed by high railings, the surface has been recently relaid with tarmac so is good but it will need a lot of side vegetation trimming to maintain a clear path. A huge bridle bridge has been constructed to cross the railway, I suspect the crossing was on the level, now closed. Safe light controlled crossing of a busy road then more food and drink with that Scottish takeaway before pavements along quiet roads and finally a surfaced wide and open path alongside the park....

Ken