Nottinghamshire 2

Walk Details:
Date: 27/4/2007
Total ascent: 4m/ 13ft
Total distance walked: 0.22 miles
Walkers: Anth, Jim
Car Parking: There’s a lay-by on Newtonwood Lane but be careful as it looks like it might be used by large vehicles turning out of the reservoir compund
Accessibility: On a very rough public footpath – walkers of limited mobility may struggle. You could create a walk linking this to the other two Nottinghamshire tops, which lie nearby.

Top details:
Name: Newtonwood Lane
County top number: 148 of 206
Grid reference: SK 45628 60660
Height above sea level: 204m/ 669ft
Description/Notes: This contender for the highest point in Nottinghamshire is on the county boundary, on the footpath running north from Newtonwood Lane and at the north-east corner of the reservoir compound (the higher reservoir is just outside the boundary. It may claim to be the highest point in Nottinghamshire, but Newtonwood Lane and Silverhill Coliery (see separate reports) also put in a strong challenge.

The Walk:

The second contender on our list of potential candidates for the highest point in Nottinghamshire was always going to be a quick bag. We could tell from the map that it wasn’t exactly the most exciting top (ones where the border is halfway up a hill rarely are). In addition, our chosen car parking spot was a lay-by opposite the entrance to a reservoir, and we were worried that it might be needed by large vehicles turning in and out of the reservoir compound (although I doubt this happens too often). Finally, as we got out of the car it was to be greeted by icy cpots of rain and a blisteringly cold wind – what happened to the pleasant sunshine the Met Office had promised?

As a result, it was with some rapidity that we headed down the little-used footpath to the right hand (eastern) side of the reservoir compound. The farmer had ploughed very close to the edge of the field, so it was quite hard going. Nevertheless we soon reached the highest point of the footpath; the GPS readings showed that this was exactly the same altitude as Herrod’s Hill.

The views were OK, but not a patch on the edge of Herrod’s Hill, and with no further reason to stay there we beat a hasty retreat to the car, to head off to the final top of the Nottinghamshire trio, Silverhill Colliery.

Verdict:
It’s a pleasant enough place to pass through on a walk, but only worth a visit in its own right if you’re a committed county top bagger.