3 minute read
Pets
– local walks
Now that the Prime Minister has announced the easing of restrictions, we are all looking forward to days out with our dogs over the summer months. The everpopular Rambles with Rafa and Flake will be back in the magazine soon. Meanwhile Spring is on its way. Lighter morning and evenings are with us, the weather is improving, trees are budding, flowers beginning to bloom and we and our dogs are all able to get out more. One of the positive sides of walking from our own homes is discovering the plethora of attractive green spaces in our own area. Here are a few of our favourites, one of which is bound to be local to you.
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One of the finest resources for walking locally is the Derbyshire Phoenix Greenways https://www.derbyshire. gov.uk/leisure/countryside/access/ greenways/phoenix-greenways/thephoenix-greenways.aspx The Greenways are trails converted from the old colliery railways and lead a network of tracks around the quiet backways of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. On these you and your four-footed companion can have a short stroll or a long hike depending on your mood. Maps are available on the website and there are many circular walks. Some of our local trails are as follows
TIBSHELF PONDS – parking off Tibshelf High Street opposite the butchers A lovely place for a short stroll. Open green areas, woodland, and of course the ponds (dogs on leads around these). There are also gallops for your horse if you have one!. From here you can access:FIVE PITS TRAIL - various car parks along the route. A longer route for the keen walkers heading out to GRASSMOOR COUNTRY
PARK, WILLIAMPTHORPE PONDS and
HOLMEWOOD WOODLANDS. Plenty of benches along the way to have a quick break for a drink or sandwich. BLACKWELL TRAIL – parking Fordbridge Lane, Blackwell - 3.5 miles from Westhouses to Huthwaite. Attractive trail alongside a stream passing through Hilcote where there is now a new Wildlife Garden off Pasture Lane which is well worth a visit
SILVERHILL TRAIL – parking at Teversal Visitor Centre (NG17 3HJ) or Blackwell Village A pleasant 4.5 mile trail from Blackwell to Teversal with lots of vestiges of the old railways for the enthusiast. This joins up with the TEVERSAL TRAIL which in turn leads to PLEASLEY PIT COUNTRY PARK (parking NG19 7EY) These are just a few of the many routes you can take from the Greenways. Enough to keep the most exigent dog walk for many a day. Other lovely local walking spots include PENNYTOWN PONDS - Parking Somercotes - https://www.ambervalley.
gov.uk/environment/parks-and-gardens/ pennytown-ponds-local-nature-reserve/ A lovely spot for residents of Somercotes BRIERLEY FOREST PARK – parking NG17 2PE - https://www.ashfield.gov. uk/community-leisure/parks-greenspaces-visitor-centres/brierley-forestpark-visitor-centre/ Situated in Huthwaite. Something for all the family. 2 miles of walks within the park itself and also links to the Greenways.
MIDLAND RAILWAY CENTRE/ BUTTERLEY COUNTRY PARK
https://www.midlandrailway-butterley. co.uk/country-park/ - Although the Railway Centre itself is currently closed, there are still pleasant walks to be had around the country park.
BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER
We hope that these suggestions have given you some great ideas for local walks with your dogs (Rafa and Flake can thoroughly recommend them). As everywhere is a little more crowded at the moment it is more important than ever that we are all kind and respectful to others. So please remember the following: ✔ Keep your dog under control and on a lead around farm stock and wildlife, particularly nesting birds ✔ Pick up after your dog and dispose of bags in bins provided or take home with you. ✔ Don’t let your dog annoy other countryside users. Particularly don’t let him run at dogs on lead.
Even if your dog is friendly the one on the lead may not be, or may be nervous, old or ill. Keep everyone safe
Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with contact details and that its microchip details are up to date. Dogs do occasionally get lost on walks and should that happen you would want to be reunited as soon as possible.
