A walk from Kinoulton to Hickling and back again

Feeling a bit of cabin fever we checked the weather forecast and planned a walk for the best predicted day for some fresh air, nature and a pub lunch. We opted to head away from our cluster of villages, and the lanes we usually walk and to explore somewhere different for a change.

MOH has been to Hickling with his cycle group, and we’ve visited the Old Wharf Tearooms there for lunch - though on one of those bitterly cold days, but the food was good and the setting will be much improved by some warmth, so we hope to head back there over the summer.

The walk started in Kinoulton (and I’ve shared the route map from Strava further on) and we parked in the street close to The Nevile Arms which I’d seen on Facebook, and where we planned to stop for lunch after the walk. Getting our bearings we were off, walking out of the village towards fields and past this gorgeous looking property.

A grand looking house at the start of our walk in Kinoulton

It wasn’t long before we were picking our way across fields, which while mostly dry were at points still a bit moist. I may have been over-optimistic with my choice of footwear, opting for walking sandals rather than boots, but my feet were aching for some fresh air too. It was mostly ok apart from one place where I did get a little muddy, even after choosing what I thought was the best route - but I’m not sure there really was a good route. I didn’t mind getting muddy, even though I don’t like walking in mud - it’s the slipping and sliding that I really detest, and which really slows me down. I also knew that I had clean shoes and socks in the car, as there’s no way I could be driving in any kind of walking footwear.

a field with pylons in the foreground stretching into the distance
Walking along a grass path with hedgerows to our right and soft blue skies above

It was good to be out in the countryside and amongst nature, the weather was actually a bonus. The route was teasing us with glimpses of this even grander house in the distance - we never actually reached it, but it was great to see it coming more into view.

An even grander looking house in the distance nestled amongst trees
lichen on a wooden gate with the green field in the background

At the gate we doubled back on ourselves and headed around the fields trying to keep ourselves on the right path while avoiding walking directly across the fields, which was where the path on the map looked to be but in reality it was hard to spot.

Years ago we went walking in France on a walk that took in many sunflowers, these rather sad and spent looking sunflowers reminded us both of that trip and made us wonder what we’ll encounter on our upcoming walking trip to Italy.

spent sunflower heads on the edge of one field, with the pylons still stretching into the distance
A bee taking a rest and refuelling on a dandelion flower

Before heading back to the road for a short stint I spotted this bee taking a break and refuelling - and it underlines the need to keep some dandelion flowers early in spring for just this.

We arrived at Hickling Basin and well it was a bit greyer than when we’d started out, but just imagine this view on a sunnier day - though I think you’d need to imagine a lot more people there too!

Arriving at Hickling Basin, looking across to the Old Mill cafe
The map of the route from our walk taken from Strava

At this point we’re halfway through the walk - by destination, if not in miles - and so I’m sharing the Strava map at this point rather than at the end, we walked in clockwise direction heading toward Colston Bassett (and the big white house). Both Colston Bassett and Long Clawson produce good local cheeses - which we’ve tasted and agree with! Cotgrave, which we’ve not visited, is a former mining town whose colliery finally closed in the early 1990s, but like other Nottinghamshire mines continued to operate during the miner’s strike in the mid 1980s.

The next leg of the route back to Kinoulton, the car and lunch took us along the Grantham Canal path, so different scenery completely - but also the chances of more mud encounters severely reduced.

Leaving Hickling on the canal path with the canal to our left
Two swans and their nest on the canal

What we did see though was a pair of swans building and tending their nest. One swan was pulling reeds through the water and adding them to the already well established nest, while the other stayed with the nest. With swans eggs hatching between May and July, it’s possible that there were already eggs in the nest.

It was great to watch - and a complete time waster - but we dragged ourselves away and continued along the towpath. Our reward as we left the path was this fabulous tree in blossom.

A huge cherry tree in blossom at the end of the canal path

What a joy!

And such an enjoyable walk too. Now to find the car - though I’d managed to park just further down the same road without knowing, isn’t it great when things work out! A shoe change and we were set for lunch in the local pub, The Nevile Arms - who do a special lunch menu, alongside their usual menu. Our fish and chips were good, and it’s somewhere we’ll add to our ‘places to stop and eat list’ along with the Old Wharf cafe which was already included.

Post Comment Love 3 - 6 May

Hello there, and welcome back to this week’s #PoCoLo - a friendly linky which I co-host with Suzanne, where you can link any blog post published in the last week. We know you’ll find some great posts to read, and maybe some new-to-you blogs too, so do pop over and visit some of the posts linked, comment and share some of that love.

Please don’t link up posts which are older as they will be removed from the linky, and if older posts are linked then please don’t feel that it’s necessary to comment on those. If you were here last week it was great to have you along, if you’re new here this week we’re pleased you’ve joined us.

This week we have finally had a lovely day - with sun, and warmth - and it felt so good. It was still windy mind, which took the glow off it a bit but it’s the first time that we’ve really sat in the garden, or had the doors open, this year. The next morning it was all quite different though as we woke up to fog - hmmnn. The warmer temperatures are due to return, so let’s hope we’re in for a prolonged spell of warmer weather.

As I was popping into and out of the kitchen from the garden I noticed a peculiar, but very cute, little rainbow occurring in my kitchen sink. I never worked out exactly what was causing the prism of light, but I definitely enjoyed it!

Have a good week - and be sure to check out the fab competition I’ve linked up this week (and if you’re able to share it I’d really appreciate that - thank you).

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

You will never want to leaf

* I was invited to the press preview for and provided with a pair of tickets to Gardeners’ World Live so I’m marking posts from the show as 'Ad’ - as usual my views and opinions are very much my own. Be sure to check out all of my posts from the show.

The banana plant we saw recently at the Newark Garden Show reminded me of this beautiful border at last year’s Gardeners’ World Live, and once I dug the photos out I had another mixed smile and groan at the garden’s cheesy title. The theme for the Beautiful Borders at the show was ‘My Garden Escape’ and I think I’d quite happily escape to this garden, despite the cheese, and who knows maybe I wouldn’t want to leave…

This garden, designed by Kiran Vaidya, invites us to escape to our very own slice of tropical paradise. By just using foliage the garden shows the versatility and variety of leafy plants ‘whilst highlighting the important role of greenery in relieving stress and promoting positive mental health, especially in urban communities where access to green spaces is limited.’

And I don’t know about you, but just looking at these photos makes me want to breathe more deeply and breathe in the fresh air. In my mind’s eye that breath is cool, but not cold and warm enough to be comfortable.

variegated tropical leaves under a tree's canopy

I love the textures and colours that you can get through foliage, along with the drama. Though of course having these plants in your garden is likely to come with the need for additional care and attention over the cooler months, but I can’t help but think it’d be worth it.

* With thanks to Gardeners’ World for inviting me to Gardeners’ World Live, it was as fabulous as ever!