We are the Sutton Coldfield Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Tom & Di H.
An easy walk of around 7.5 miles with no steep climbs and, although there are several stiles, they are well-maintained. Starting from the Spring Wood car park, we follow the footpath through Spring Wood. Leaving the wood, we cross the road and follow footpaths and tracks through undulating farmland, reaching the benches by Melbourne Pool for a coffee stop. The parish church, described by Pevsner as the 'most ambitious surviving Norman parish church in England', is worth a visit before we leave Melbourne and reach the Tower Windmill picnic area in the Staunton Harold NT estate for our lunch stop. We then keep along the shore of the reservoir, eventually reaching the grounds of Calke Abbey. After passing by the NT centre, we walk through parkland to join the Tramway Trail. Finally, we enter the Dimminsdale Nature Reserve, where the path follows the county boundary, past lime pits and pools, up to and along the road a short distance to our starting point.
Guests please contact the walk leader if you would like to join this walk.
We are sorry, but only assistance dogs are permitted on our walk.
Meet at Wyndley 08:45 for car sharing. Directions to Spring Wood car park: Take the M42 then A42 towards Nottingham. At the Ashby-de-la-Zouch roundabout (Exit 13), take the first exit onto the A511. At the second roundabout, take the third exit onto the B5006. In about a mile, turn right onto Heath Lane. In 2 miles, at Calke, turn right towards Melbourne, and after 0.5 miles, you will reach the free Spring Wood car park on your right.
