[1] Enter the playing field beyond the parking area and follow the perimeter anti-clockwise to a gate. Cross Worksop Road, turn left, cross Grange Avenue and turn right into the field beyond the bungalow. Continue ahead on an enclosed path and along a drive to a junction, where turn right alongside the golf course. Cross Lindrick Road and continue alongside the houses.
(A) At Nirvana you will see the nose cone of a guided missile peeping over the wall. This is a redundant English Electric "Thunderbird Surface to Air Missile" (SAM). More impressive than a Garden Gnome! The Thunderbird was developed after World War 2 for the British Army. It was intended to attack targets which were too high for the existing anti-aircraft guns. Typical Thunderbird operations included protection of the V-Bomber bases (which at that time were the country's nuclear deterrent) as well as supporting troops in the field. The Thunderbird was taken out of service in 1977 to be replaced by the much lighter 'Rapier" missile.
When the road curves off left maintain your heading along the bridleway, which narrows to a footpath.
[2] Pass through the gate and turn right along the farm track. Turn right upon reaching the overhead wires and follow the farm track to the wood. Pass through and keep straight on to a road.
There are distant views to West Burton Power Station and Harworth Colliery. As most of this walk is through open farmland the views change with the seasons, from the dull green of winter wheat to the vibrant yellow and green of late spring and early summer. The scorched yellows and browns of late summer and barren fields of autumn.
Turn left (no pavement) and right at the footpath sign after 70 yards. Cross the field and enter the wood. Keep straight on uphill over the cross-path after 50 yards. Bear left over a cross-path as you approach the road to emerge at the northernmost corner at a bus stop on Swinston Hill Road.
[3] Take the bridleway opposite, turn right at the hedge and continue alongside this past the bridleway sign pointing left. Pass a small wood and branch left to continue across the middle of the field. Turn left along the road (no pavement) and turn right on the bridleway just past Wellswood Farm.
[4] Facing you is an outbuilding with a sign ”Beware of suicidal Cats, Dogs, and Children”. To the right of this is a farm road leading to a gate to which is fixed a Caravan Club sign. Go straight on along the track between hedges and eventually pass to the left of a small wood.
[5] Turn right at the junction beyond a metal barrier, continue along the tarmac lane and turn left through the wooden gate adjacent to the postbox.
(B) The building over to the right is the Grade II listed, "Wallingwells Hall". This was a country mansion dating back to the 16th century which boasted 3 floors, 20 plus bedrooms, more than 20 chimneys and more than 50 windows. It is now split up into four private homes, however its outside appearance has not appreciably altered. The Hall was built on the site of the former Benedictine" Wallingwells Priory". This small nunnery dated back to the 13th century but was ultimately surrendered to the Crown as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539.
Continue past the house to view an even more remarkable garden ornamemt (C). The railway locomotive is very unusual. It was designed to work in hazardous, potentially explosive, areas where the presence of any source of ignition was unacceptable. Unlike more conventional steam locomotives it has no fire box and hence cannot generate its own steam. In order to operate, the locomotive had to be taken to a safe area where it would be charged with pressurised steam generated by a separate boiler. The locomotive would then pass into the hazardous area where it would use the stored steam to provide traction. As the stored steam pressure fell to a predetermined level, the loco would return to the safe area to be recharged. This locomotive was originally owned by Shell Refining and was operated by a subsidiary. Both engine and phone box may be manned. This is a good place for lunch with a seat.
Backtrack past Lakeside Cottage and turn left between the lakes to a metal gate. Keep straight on over a cross-track and where the path forks, keep right along a grassy path through scrubland. Join the track and continue to the road. Turn right and retrace your steps to the car park.