In this part we continued along the line of the disused Nottingham Canal to reach the northernmost point of the circuit before dropping down to the Erewash Canal to head south along the towpath.



After passing under the motorway bridge on Nottingham Road at Trowell we climbed up the path to resume on the towpath of the Nottingham Canal. The road and the canal arc round in opposite directions to meet again in a short distance but the road has risen to pass over the bridge seen here at the side of the cottage. I have seen this cottage described as the abode of the lock keeper but there doesn't appear to have been a lock in close proximity so I have my doubts as to the veracity of the description.

Beyond the bridge the path narrows for a little way before opening out again after this gate to the full width of the canal. Here the path splits to run down both sides of the canal which has now been turned into an area of grassland. The information board is headed "Grassland For Wildlife" and it includes images of several different species of butterfly that such expanses encourage. A fascinating fact used as an introduction on the board is that in the UK since 1930, it has been estimated that 99% of our wildflower rich grasslands have been lost to agricultural intensification, lack of traditional management and pressure from developments.

We took the narrower left hand path from the information board as it was sheltered from the heat of the afternoon sun and although we saw very few butterflies we did spot across the waist high grass, a couple of horses grazing on the hillside on the other side of the canal.

We continued along the old canal for about half a mile until we reached this "Shortcut" signpost on the Erewash Valley Trail. This marks the point where the Trowell Circular route links with at least two previous walks we have undertaken in this area. The steps lead down to Stoney Lane and were used near the conclusion of a Sentimental Journey through Cossall (link to relevant page) and also at the end of the Dragonfly Trail.

Both the aforementioned walks, like this Trowell Circular, cross Stoney Lane and the railway bridge near the former Trowell Station site. From the bridge the Gallows Inn Playing Field at Ilkeston is visible but on this walk we don't enter the town but turn left on reaching the road to head back towards Trowell along Ilkeston Road. Between the railway bridge and the road the booklet describing the route says that evidence of an ancient stone path can be seen. It also states that this is part of the Monks Way which was laid a slab at a time by monks and can be followed from Stanton By Dale to Cossall and Strelley to Lenton Abbey. I have always been puzzled how this section of the path fits in with the route we followed in the Monk's Way series as it doesn't seem to tally and is on a different line to that route.

On meeting the road it is advisable to cross straight away as it is on a corner with a pavement only on the far side. This is the northernmost point of the walk and the route now is to the left for about 100 yards and then into a short side road called The Forge which ends at this gate and stile. I indicated in Part 01 that this walk links with several others and the stretch from The Forge back towards Ilkeston is where we started the Nottingham Road section of the First Impressions series.

We climbed over the stile at the end of The Forge and referred to the booklet for directions: ".... bear right to enter a grass meadow. Aim for the large factory with a tall chimney ....". The factory mentioned may have been Charnos but that has been demolished and a housing estate now occupies the site. The tallest structure in view was the tower of the former St Bartholomew's Church at Hallam Fields which was the general direction in which we needed to head.

We weaved our way through the scrub following little used paths and tracks in the general direction avoiding bovine deposits in the process. The objective was a narrow green bridge over the River Erewash which eventually came into view. This was a good day to follow this route as in wet weather the area is prone to flooding and the meadow is also often occupied by cattle - of which I'm not fond!

A short path from the bridge rises slightly to reach the Erewash Canal towpath. Locally this is also known as the Bottom Cut distinguishing itself from the former Nottingham Canal or Top Cut on the other side, and at a higher elevation, of the Erewash Valley.

Another left turn and we were soon at the Hallam Fields Lock on the canal, a place that has featured several times previously. See the following pages with other images of the lock captured at various times.
Hallam Fields Industrial Trail from 2005
Locks on the Erewash Canal from 2006
Lock To Lock from 2009
and Trowell - Spring Boards from 2012
In the third and final part of this Trowell Circular walk we continue from Hallam Fields Lock along the Erewash Canal and back to our starting point near Pit Lane.

Back to Part 01

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