8 mile walk Spondon - Locko Park - Dale Abbey - Ockbrook - Spondon

UPDATE 7 APRIL - WALK CANCELLED

Due to more rain causing even more mud, high winds and rapidly decreasing numbers of attendees

I will put this walk on again another time.

Hi,

Please join me on the first walk I'm hosting for you lovely Walking Friends people. But don't panic, I have led this walk a few times before for another group. And it's near my home so I don't expect to get lost (Haha there's always a first time !)

This walk is around 8 miles of quiet roads, tracks, fields and woodland. This route is mostly flat ! Possibly some mud on some of the field sections so please bring appropriate footwear.

We start from Dale Road Park in Spondon. It is a small turning off the A6096, postcode DE21 7DN. There are black and white chevrons on a bend, the park entrance is right by the chevrons.

If driving, you can park there for free and there is plenty of space.

For those coming by public transport from Nottingham, I would advise getting the Red Arrow bus from Upper Parliament St at 1107, arriving at Derby 1140, then the Ilkeston Flyer at 1145, getting off at Wood Road in Spondon at 1154. The start point is right opposite the bus stop. Of course I will wait in case of bus delays etc.

We will start walking through a housing estate, then fields and into the lovely Locko Park.

After walking through the park we cross a main road and then walk through quiet tracks and fields to Dale Abbey.

We'll then stop for a pub lunch at the Carpenters Arms. If you prefer to bring a picnic, the pub are quite happy to let you eat it in their outside table area.
After lunch we'll visit the Dale Abbey arch (compulsory drone photo here - as in title pic) and Hermit's Cave.

After going through Ockbrook wood and several fields we reach Ockbrook - we will go through a Moravian settlement - not something you find on many walks !! From there it's a few more fields back to the start

Message to dogs: You are welcome, if your owner is well behaved !

I hope as many members as possible can turn up to support my first walk ! Cheers

Walking Friends has to pay monthly bills to meetup. Any help to cover these costs is appreciated. Contributions can be made on the PayPal link provided below. Select the pay a friend option and put Walking Friends in the note. Thanks in advance for your contributions.

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/NottinghamFriends