Alfreton Park

Friday 24 November 2023

4.5 miles Leaders Bill & Julie P.

Weather 7°C. Bright and Breezy

No. on walk 25

Another super Friday turnout for a walk with a central theme, that is to visit the newly restored Wingfield Station, which was the subject of a very interesting talk with slides, at our recent Annual general meeting, delivered in great detail by Derek Latham. The route included some road/pavement walking, avoiding some of the wet muddy fields that we would otherwise have had to endure.

We walked beside the very busy A615 for just over half a mile turning left to cross it and continuing to cross over the golf course, through the nature reserve and into Oakerthorpe. Here to cross over the B6013, continuing ahead to enter Shaw Wood, walking down to the northern end. We followed the railway line south until reaching Wingfield Station, built in 1840 and now restored to its original condition, with a few internal mod-cons to make it usable once more, alas not as a station.

‘Two birds one stone’, we stopped here for our morning break, our leader allowing extra time for us to have a good nose around, this very interesting place, I’m sure it will be a hit with very many tourists in the future. Plenty of information boards and audio guides, these at the press of a button.

We then continued to follow the path beside the railway line until reaching the A615 and then walk beside it, curving back into Oakerthorpe. At Fourlane Ends we continued ahead until reaching the point where we had exited from Nature Reserve, entering it and walking a lovely path betwixt golf course and Oakerthorpe Brook. On reaching Highfield House we followed a private path, with permission, to gain access to the footbridge and boardwalk to cross over the aforementioned brook. We then headed back to the park, walking around the outskirts of a new housing estate, crossing the A615 once more to enter the park opposite, arriving there at twelve thirty. Excellent walk, thank you Julie and Bill.