A web site for friends from the former East Midlands Region of British Gas who meet regularly to walk in various parts of the East Midlands.

Swarkestone and Trent & Mersey Canal
Thursday 22nd August 2019

The walk begins at the Crewe & Harpur pub, Swarkestone, Derby
DE73 7JA
Tel.  01332 700641. 

Coffee will be available from 10.00, for a 10.30 start.

The pub is located in Swarkestone village, next to the famous Swarkestone Bridge over the River Trent, on the A514, just South of Junction 3 on the A50.

We did this walk 2 years ago, (8 Feb. 2017) but this time we shall add a dash of novelty by doing it in the opposite direction.  The walk starts in Swarkestone village, along the bank of the Trent towards Barrow upon Trent.  Once through Barrow, we cross the A5132 Derby to Willington road and continue North until we reach the Trent & Mersey Canal.  The towpath takes us back towards Derby and we leave the canal where it crosses the A514.  The route back to the pub takes us across a meadow, past the historic Swarkestone Pavilion (a Landmark Trust property) towards the Church of St James, and then along the bank of the Trent to Swarkestone Bridge.

When we did the recce, the field path along the Trent to Barrow was wide and dry through standing wheat.  This could well be harvested soon, so we are likely to see stubble or a freshly-ploughed field.  There is a short stretch of path into Barrow that is surrounded by nettles and brambles; this path and the canal towpath could also be muddy if we have a lot of rain, so be prepared.  There was no livestock on the route and only a few stiles.  It is level, easy walking all the way, just under 4 miles.

If you want to have a look at the pub website it is:-   www.creweharpurpub.co.uk

If you are coming, please let Ian Priestley, 01509 852776 or ian.priestley@tiscali.co.uk , Geoff Wheat geoff.wheat@outlook.com  or George know by Monday 19th August.

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