As is usual at this time of year many paths across fields and in woods can become muddy and not pleasant to walk. Surprisingly, given the extremely wet weather at the end of last year and early January, these paths aren’t generally too bad. We have had four relatively dry weeks since and things have improved greatly.
However, the storms of 2023 have left their mark with several paths still closed or borderline impassible. Near Farnsfield the main path through Combs Wood (walk 4) was tricky due to fallen trees but these have now been cleared. The path is very muddy at the top.
Just south east of Farnsfield is Cotton Mill Farm. One of the paths to Greaves Lane (Walk 14 and Mansfield to Newark stage 4) is closed because a bridge fell down in a storm (notices are up about this). It must be said that the bridge is a small one over a beck so hopefully the path will be restored soon. Note however that one of the other paths by another farm by Greaves Lane (walk 33) is yet to be restored after more than three years. That really should have been done by now as it was quite a small job and there are no excuses for the delay.
Talking of closed paths and shaky bridges brings me to the narrow bridge over Halam Beck near Manor Fields at the southern end of the village (walks 10 and 28). Officially this path and bridges were closed after a storm last autumn and the last time I went that way in early January the path closed notice was still up. Being an awkward character I went to have a look at the bridge. It was no longer taped off and it was possible to cross it. The bridge seemed stable enough but it was at a slight angle so care should be taken if crossing as it is a drop of a metre to the beck below.
One other paths that isn’t great is the one from Edingley heading to Allesford Lane west of the village (walk 3). One of the fields has always been susceptible to wet weather by a gate as standing water accumulated there. It used to be possible to go around it but recently a fence with barbed wire on the has been erected on either side of the path and you have to go straight on through ankle deep water or turn back. With a few more dry weeks this should be clear again.
These are the problems I’ve found but if you have any of your own updates please let me know.
Walks in Central Nottinghamshire (and Beyond) 