THE INLAND WATERWAYS PROTECTION SOCIETY
LTD
CROMFORD CANAL
10.15am Saturday 7th June 2008
This walk will explore all the significant remaining features on the central
section of the
Cromford Canal, including Portland Basin, Ironville Lock flight, Pinxton Branch
Junction, Codnor Park Reservoir, Golden Valley, Butterley Tunnel, Hartshay,
Buckland
Hollow (tunnel), Sawmills (embankment), and Bullbridge. This involves minimum
duplication ofprevious IWPS walks. However, because we cross boundaries and
watersheds there is no linking public transport so we will need to do a car
shuffle at the
start. The good news forthe walk is that whilst the distance by canal is around
7 miles,
almost 2 miles (over Butterley Tunnel) are done by train, making it relatively
leisurely
with plenty of time to explore the many surviving features. The train journey
(for which
a special "walker's rate" of £2.50 has been negotiated) involves the Golden
Valley
Light Railway from the eastern portal of Butterley Tunnel, across the bed of
the
(fortunately!) now drained Butterley Park Reservoir to the main Midland Railway
Centre
buildings around Swanwick Junction. Unfortunately we will not have time to
visit most
of the exhibits here - you need a whole day for that. From Swanwick Junction we
take
the standard gauge steam service to Butterley Station where there will be time
for a
visit to the café and/or the exhibits (or the bar on the train, which should be
open!)
before continuing to Hammersmith, at the western portal of Butterley Tunnel.
NB: This weekend has a special 1940s theme; period dress is optional!
Meeting Point
Meet up at Ambergate Station car park (free), close to junction of A6 and A610,
at
10.15am for 10.30am departure. The station postcode is DE56 2EN and is
signposted
locally.
Public Transport
If you are coming by train, you need to be on the 0949 service from Derby to
Matlock,
arriving Ambergate 1006. Return train to Derby 1716.There is a TransPeak bus
from
Buxton arriving at Ambergate (Hurt Arms) at 0937, three minutes' walk from
station.
Return bus to Buxton at 1722.
Toilets
There are public loos at the A6/A610 junction opposite the Hurt Arms, a
Portaloo at
Codnor Park Reservoir, and full facilities at the Midland Railway Centre.
Unless it has been very dry weather, parts of the route will be muddy, so
walking boots
are recommended.
Food & Drink
There is a good (BP) garage shop on the A6 at Ambergate just south of the Hurt
Arms
(A6/A610 junction) and various shops at Jacksdale, inc Co-op supermarket. There
is a
(highly recommended!) 'bacon butty' stall at Codnor Park Reservoir, less than
an hour
into the walk, also selling hot and cold drinks. To save time, orders will be
phoned
through at the start of the walk. There are cafés at both Swanwick Junction and
Butterley stations. This latter area will be probably be best for lunch. There
are also
several pubs en route but that depends what time you want to get home!
Car Shuffle
Return down station approach to A610 and turn right towards Nottingham. [After
a
mile, note canal up on right running parallel with road] After 2 miles at first
lights by
Excavator pub turn left onto B6013 then after short distance turn right
immediately
after Devonshire Arms (signed B6016 Pentrich & Swanwick). Go straight through
Pentrich and Swanwick (across roundabout and lights) for 3.2 miles then turn
right at
first lights (by Co-op) into Greenhill Lane (signed Greenhill Industrial
Estate). After 0.7
miles, just past Riddings Pottery and immediately before Newsagent, turn left
onto
South Street (badly signed Selston B6106). After a mile you enter Ironville and
cross
the restored Midland Railway and the line of the Cromford Canal Pinxton Branch
by
Ironville Church, followed by a sharp left bend. After a further half mile
including
passing under two railway bridges take the first right afterKnightsbridge
Garage onto
Main Road, Jacksdale, pass the war memorial on your left and you will see the
Community Centre (NG16 5JW) almost immediately on your right. Turn right into
car
park.
Websites
Friends of the Cromford Canal: www.cromfordcanal.org.uk
Midland Railway Centre: www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk
Contact
If you are intending to come, please advise walk leader Hugh Potter by email at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or on 01773 852009 between 1st June and 8pm on Friday 6th
June. For any problems on the day, Hugh's mobile is 07929 514352.
--
David Kitching
http://www.brocross.com
fearrmeox adlaþ brægen
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