Creswell Crags - Belph - Welbeck Abbey
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The walk starts by walking along the impressive limestone gorge of Creswell Crags. See www.creswell-crags.org.uk for more details, but here is an extract:
'This stunning gorge is studded with caves and smaller fissures.
The caves were used by Ice Age hunters as a seasonal camp over 45,000 years ago. These hunters came following herds of mammoth, bison and reindeer as they migrated to their summer grazing lands. Creswell Crags was at that time one of the most northerly places in ancient man's territory.
Archaeologists, exploring the caves, have found fossil animal bones including mammoth and hyena and flintstone tools left behind by the hunters.
The earliest known cave art, dating back 12,000 years, was recently found in Church Hole Cave.
Cave tours are one of the most popular activities on the site. An experienced guide takes you from the Visitor Centre into the gorge and to Robin Hood Cave, the largest of the caves.
Most of the caves however, are not open to the public and are protected by metal grills to preserve the rare archaeological deposits that remain inside'.
After skirting the village of Creswell itself, a pleasant woodland stroll takes us up to the start of a long stretch along quiet roads. This takes us via a picturesque conservation area along a pretty stream to the equally pretty hamlet of Belph.
From Belph, a network of fieldside paths leads us into an area of quite impressive mixed woodland and into the Welbeck Abbey Estate.
Welbeck Abbey's most renowned resident was the eccentric Fifth Duke of Portland. Somewhat of a recluse, the duke had a network of tunnels and underground rooms (including a ballroom!) dug beneath the estate. One tunnel was even wide enough to accommodate a horse-drawn carriage and the duke would use this to travel to nearby Worksop Station. Much information is available on the internet about this fascinating individual.
Unfortunately, we merely skirt the best of Welbeck Abbey's grounds, gaining only brief glimpses. We now follow a local long-distance footpath known as the Robin Hood Way out of the estate and through woodland back to the visitor centre.
Dog-walkers please note the presence of some distinctly dog-unfriendly stiles. Also, the pavement-free 50m on a B-road at Waymark 8 could give cause for concern.
There are two shorter versions of this walk; see Walks 3979 and 3980.
England - Central England - Nottinghamshire - Countryside
Features
Birds, Gift Shop, Lake/Loch, Museum, Nature Trail, Public Transport, Stately Home, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland
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