Where to enjoy a winter walk in and around Newark — as recommended by Newark Ramblers
Good for the body and the mind, what better way to welcome in the new year than by getting out for a walk in the fresh air?
Perhaps you’re looking for something to fill an afternoon after you’ve played all the board games in the house, or you’ve set yourself a resolution to get out and about more in 2025.
With the help of Newark Ramblers, we’ve rounded up and tested some of the best winter walks to give a go this festive season.
Joyce Pederson, chairman of Newark Ramblers said: “Walking is healthy exercise which is good for your whole body, and it’s also a really good social activity.
“You find you make a lot of friends while out walking, you talk to whoever is next to you and basically just enjoy the time.”
From landmarks to parks, for everyone from those just starting out to seasoned walkers — it’s time to tie your laces and get out the door.
Newark Riverside walk
A pretty place to visit no matter the season, this riverside walk has good surface all the way and easy accessible walking for a nice 5km jaunt.
It also passes a number of notable features, so keep your eyes peeled on the way.
•Start at Sconce and Devon Park, crossing Farndon Road to Millgate and going towards the town. Turn down Mill Lane and cross Mill Bridge. Notice the chimney stump on the building opposite — it used to be 16metres tall. Carry on with the Newark Basin on your right past the Dry Dock — the largest inland dry dock in Britain — and then the Town Lock. On your left you will see the delightful Sensory Garden. Then cross the Girder Bridge.
•Pause at the Millennium monument, surrounded by 13 slate markers, each for an event significant in Newark’s history. Dates of the events are on the column. Pass the monument and take the path initially towards the Riverside Arena and little clock tower then swerve round back towards Trent Bridge. You will see the remains of Smeaton’s Arches in the car park — these were 5metres tall and part of a viaduct between Muskham Bridge and Trent Bridge to enable crossing the flood plain in winter, but are now mostly underground.
•Cross Trent Bridge and enter the Castle grounds — or alternatively you can choose to extend the walk by continuing under Trent Bridge and following the path to the Millenium Bridge. Cross here, walk up past ALDI and right along Northgate. Turn right at The Malt Shovel, down Water Lane, and through the jitty back to the riverside. Go left along it and cross the Wharf back to the Trent Bridge, and then continue to the Castle.
•Have a stroll round the Castle grounds, and maybe a rest on one of the benches. There is lots of interesting information to be found on the noticeboards dotted around. Then leave the grounds at the far side and immediately turn down back to the river at Cuckstool Wharf. Follow the riverside path past the Corn Exchange and Lock and turn left up the alley at the end. Take the first right in front of No. 12 toward Navigation Yard. Here you can wander through the arches of this area, which used to be warehouses and industrial units, but are now mainly housing.
•Turn left when you reach Huddlestone Wharf and go back up to Millgate. Then back along Millgate to Sconce and Devon Park.
‘Secret’ Farndon Ponds walk
A lesser known walk which strays from the riverside, it is a short 4km but can be extended by another 4km for those who like to stretch their legs for longer — however the extended route has stiles so is not suitable for buggies or those with walking difficulties.
It can be very muddy, but is perfect to explore in crisp dry weather.
• Start at the Riverside car park, Farndon, and, passing the Farndon Ferry, follow the riverside path over the bridge to the marina. Just over the bridge turn right with the marina on your right. You will come to a sign explaining that you are entering a Local Nature Reserve.
• Follow the path as it curves round the ponds until you come to a split. There, carry on to the left past a viewing point, until you come to a junction. Follow a hedge-lined lane to the right, until it ends at a wide byway, this is used by cars to access the riverside so be careful.
• For the shorter 4km route turn left here and head back down to the river. You will see Staythorpe power station on the far side. Turn left along the riverside path. Alternatively, for the longer route, turn right and walk up until you see a gate with a stile beside on your left. If you reach the houses you have gone too far. Climb carefully across the stile and walk through the meadow, which has several dilapidated huts and fences, to the stile on the other side. Go directly across another meadow to join the riverside path and head left. Look to your right here and you are likely to see many swans. Follow the riverside path, passing the weir and Staythorpe power station on the far side.
• Continue along the riverside path through several clapper gates — a feature of the River Trent. You are also likely to see people fishing even in the worst of weathers.
• You will eventually come back to the woods surrounding Farndon Ponds. Do not take the first path curving in at the start of the woods but walk on until you see a fingerpost pointing to a public footpath, by a dog poo bin. Go down this path for about 15 metres, watching out for a narrow track on the right which has a little hump. Take this path and it will bring you to the ponds again. This time the ponds will be on your left.
•You will eventually come to the path you entered the ponds on with the marina facing you. Turn right back down to the riverside path and back to Farndon.
A longer riverside walk from Sconce and Devon Park to Farndon
One for keen walkers, this walk clocks in at over 9km and is best with proper walking shoes. It can be shortened by turning back at any point, or by taking the number 90 bus back from Farndon.
The route is flat and mainly surfaced, although it can be muddy or waterlogged in some areas.
• Leave Sconce and Devon Park and go left along Farndon Road to the traffic island. Cross here and continue left until you see a public footpath sign. Turn in here, cross a field — which sometimes has horses or ponies in it — and go through the gate on the far side. This leads to some houses, and over on the right you will see a path down to the river which you should follow.
•Walk along past Trentside Cottages, all with river frontage, and carry on by the riverside, under the A46 bridge. You will pass an old mill, which is now behind fencing, then go through a clappergate. This part of the path is a right of way through a private garden, so ensure you stick to the path. Pass through another clappergate and you will be on the very twisty and scenic riverside path to Farndon Riverside car park. You may want a break here, and along the way you may see people fishing, even in the worst of weathers.
•The return journey is shorter — from the car park take the path back towards Newark but immediately cut across the grassy area, with two picnic tables on your left, towards houses. Follow the path with the houses on your right and you will soon come to the marina entrance and a footpath sign. Follow the sign up to the road bend but do not go round it. Instead go straight ahead, turn left, then immediately left again — where you should see a footpath marker on the fence of a house. Take the path to the left of the old lock-ups and walk through a meadow, then a gravel track.
• At the junction with a tarmac track turn right and go as far as the mini roundabout, then left along Marsh Lane. This leads to a track with hedge on one side and a view of the A46 on the other. You will then come to two gates and should veer right there and take the path through the trees. Just after passing the gates of Riverbank House you will arrive back at the riverside.
•Turn sharp right here and you will be going back the way you came. However, when you veer away from the riverside towards houses go straight up the road way onto Farndon Road. Walk back towards Newark, cross the road safely and enter the park just past the River Devon bridge. There is a map of the park here. Walk beside the Devon, then turn up the first grassy path — the orange park track — and left to Rumbles café, where during its opening hours you can stop for refreshments to celebrate your achievement. The purple track is also an option here if you have taken a buggy or have some difficulty walking.
No-car needed Balderton Lake walk
A simple 4.5km walk, easily accessible via public transport, this is a great option for those with buggies, wheelchairs and anyone with walking difficulties.
It can begin at many points, but this version starts from Lidl, London Road, where there is a bus stop for those without cars to access the walk. The lap of the lake takes about 30 minutes, not including pauses.
It is a very peaceful walk, Joyce explained, although well used by cyclists and dogwalkers.
• From Lidl, head back towards Newark, on the Grove Pub side of the road, until you reach the bridge. Go down the path on the right leading to Sustrans 64 route and turn left under the bridge along the track. This will take you to the lake — but watch out for cyclists.
• Cut into the path left towards the lake at the sign pointing back to the YMCA Activity Centre, then go right when you see the Balderton Lake welcome sign. Then circle the lake, keeping it on your left. There are lots of benches and scenic viewing points to enjoy. As you walk round the lake pause to look at the still waters and greenery, and just after the lifebuoy station a map of the lake, drawn by Christine Goldschmidt, identifies the lovely spots.
• Continue round the lake to a gate taking you onto Rowan Way. Go through and walk along a little way, past another welcome sign, until you come to a clear path on the left. Take this and you will be back at the lakeside. You will eventually arrive at a large viewing point where you are likely to see lots of birdlife — geese, mallard, coot and seagulls amongst others. At certain times of day you may spot some of the big fish that inhabit the lake.
• From the viewing point go back on to Rowan Way and head right back to London Road. Turn left and you are back at Lidl.
Newark’s parks exploration walk
In addition to big green spaces like the Castle Grounds and Sconce and Devon Park, Newark has lots of smaller parks which are worth a visit, and this 4km paved, flat route links them up.
It begins and ends at Newark Library, where there is convenient parking available should you be coming from further afield.
• Start from the library, where you can explore the Queen Elizabeth II memorial garden, before going down Guildhall Street (connecting Baldertongate and Barnbygate) and across to Sherwood Avenue park.
• From there, head along Sherwood Avenue to to Friary Park, which is encompassed by Friary Road, Queen’s Road, and Appletongate. Pass through the park and head up Appletongate to the parish church.
• Walk through the church gardens and back to Appletongate, before following Baldertongate back to London Road carpark. There you can pass through Beaumond Gardens, on the other side of the library to the memorial garden, to come out on London Road.
• Follow London Road to the Irena Sendler statue in triangular park, before crossing the park to Baldertongate and walking back to the Library.
Newark Ramblers runs around 12 regular walks a month, as well as additional wellbeing walks — which are ideal for those just starting out with walking for exercise, or for those looking to get back into it after injury or illness.
Joyce added: “We did about 200 main walks in the year last year.
“Members can choose which walks they’d like to or are able to attend, and anyone looking to give it a go can also turn up. You get three free walks before you have to decide if you’d like to become a member.”
The group publish their monthly programme of walks on their website, www.newarkramblers.org.uk, where those interested must also register for the walk with the details provided on the programme.
A Ramblers membership costs just £43 for an individual for a year, or £58 for a joint membership, and allows members to walk with Ramblers on routes all across the country. In Nottinghamshire alone there are 12 more Ramblers groups running walks.
