The River Erewash flows southwards along the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border to join the River Trent at Attenborough, once the site of extensive gravel and sand extraction, The depleted pits filled with water from the adjacent rivers and the 145 hectare (358 acres) site became a nature reserve in 1966. There are many paths around the reserve and most are available for cycling. Also there is a very good Visitor Centre with a cafe and a shop.
So a fine place to take your bike, especially if you prefer water and wildlife to traffic and turmoil. Access is good by train or car, or you can cycle all the way from Derby, the recommended route being NCN Route 6 to West Park, Long Eaton, then take to the Erewash Canal to it's confluence with the River Trent at Trent Lock. Then follow the Cranfleet Cut via Cranfleet Lock and you will come to the Attenborough Nature Reserve.
If cycling from Derby on NCN 6, you will cross this bridge over the Erewash Canal from West Park (on the right) to the towpath via a couple of streets as the bridge path does not connect directly.
Follow the towpath in this direction, that is Southwards.
Pass the Sea Scout HQ and under the road bridge.
Another sharp bend in the canal.
Beneath the railway bridge.
And soon we see the great cooling towers of Ratcliffe Power Station
Strange names on one of the moored boats.
Approaching Trent Lock now.
And this is where the Erewash Canal meets the River Trent.
Keep left from here and the path takes you onto the Cranfleet Cut which is a short canal put in so that boats could avoid the weir on the river.
Trent Lock itself. Alongside is the Steamboat Inn. Food and drinks.
The Lock House Tea Rooms.
After turning left onto the canal path from Trent Lock, we come to Cranfleet Lock, to which we will return on our way back.
The exit from Cranfleet Lock and the waters re-join the River Trent.
This rather featureless path follows the river bank for quite a distance.
The Attenborough Nature Reserve Visitor Centre stands on an island which is connected to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge. The cafe and a shop are within the building.
No bikes allowed across the bridge, but there are bike racks to the left here.
If you have any food, the Canada Geese will be pleased to see you.
But some of the birds are just not interested.
And others would prefer to stay with Mum.
Food for humans here in the cafe, with wonderful views across the water.
From the Visitor Centre we turn left to pass the car park and see another view across the water, this time towards Attenborough Church.
And on the left bank runs the Derby to Nottingham railway line.
At the nearby level crossing is this derelict house, which appears to come with a free LandRover.
And opposite a traffic free gated lane which becomes a track, the Skylark Trail.
Trains close by.
And the track leads back to complete the circuit at Cranfleet Lock.
No comments:
Post a Comment