The restored canal at Worksop

An intriguing walk along the canal from a well known landmark in Worksop, the old Pickfords Warehouse, past newly restored sections in peaceful woods to the deep cutting that leads to Norwood Tunnel.

Leave Worksop station and turn right along Carlton Road. Cross Victoria Square and take the road bridge over the canal. To the left is the warehouse straddling the canal, built by Pickfords who started their removals business using canal transport.

Turn right at Waddington Chambers, and in the car park of the Lockside pub, join the towpath opposite a beautiful willow tree and continue away from the warehouse. Heading out of town you pass Stret Lock, with an attractive pub next door. Above the next lock is a big new marina, once used for loading coal, as this was the site of Shireoaks Colliery Basin.

The canal now starts to climb seriously and in the next mile and a half there are 23 locks, some are double or treble staircases, and the whole section is being brought back into full working order. The change is truly dramatic for anyone who has walked this line in the past. Turnerwood is a delightful hamlet of attractive houses half way up this flight and once top treble lock has been passed, this is the summit level. After another mile the canal enters a cutting where a path, up to the right, leads to Kiveton Park Station.

If you want to explore the tunnel entrance, continue for another half mile along the cutting, which gets deeper as you go, ending at the tunnel mouth.

Getting there

Parking: Park in Worksop station car park.

Public transport: This is a one-way walk with return transport by train, from Kiveton Park station to Worksop. For full details of train times, call 08457 484950 or visit [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk www.nationalrail.co.uk]