MERCIA MARINA WALK
THE WALK
This is a straightforward and enjoyable walk after a short stroll to the lovely village of Findern. The route is bound to be of interest to nature lovers. This is followed by a walk along the Trent and Mersey Canal, which is busy with boats at the weekends and during the summer, which is a bonus. The final stretch of the walk leaves the canal bank and returns to Mercia Marina and its many attractions and opportunities for refreshment.
LOOK OUT FOR
Route Point 1 – Mercia Marina located alongside the road from Willington to Findern was a former quarry. It was created from farmland for the purpose of gravel extraction for use in the construction of the nearby A50. Later it was converted into a fishing lake, before local businessman John Thornton unveiled a multi-million-pound plan to turn it into Europe’s largest inland marina, with 600 berths, holiday lodges, on-site businesses including restaurants, retailers and office space. The marina was opened in September 2008 in the 24-acre Willington Lake, surrounded by another 50 acres of countryside. It is a maturing place to visit with a sensory garden, nature and wildlife trails. After a long delay, a Boardwalk has been built with extensive facilities.
Point 2 – Findern Village Green forms the centrepiece of the village, on which an impressive-looking sign was erected to commemorate the Millennium. More recently a village map has been added. The appearance of the Green is enhanced by chestnut trees, encircled by white posts and chains. Overlooked by the church and picturesque, mainly white-walled cottages.
Point 3 – Findern Church was rebuilt and consecrated in 1863, on the site of a Saxon place of worship. A Norman tympanum was rescued when the old building was demolished and can be seen in the church. Reg Parnell, the famous motor racing driver, is buried in the churchyard. He kept a herd of 700 pigs and 150 Ayrshire cattle at the farm next to Wallfield House.
Point 4 – Crow Park Way the local name for Ash Plantation is soon reached. It is filled with tall ash trees, where crows and rooks used to nest. The area covered stretches to the Trent and Mersey Canal and continues along the canal bank to the Twyford and Stenson boundary. It provides easy walking along a well-surfaced track and is very popular with ramblers. The route has been diverted following the building of the A50 trunk road in 1990. Previously it went through the Ash Plantation, where a deep hole was dug to extract clay to line the canal when it was built.
Point 5 – Stanhope Community Woodland, where the first tree was planted on 18 November 2003. The planting of the wood was completed by the Findern Footpaths Group, other villagers and the National Probation Service during that month. It is one of several circular diversions encountered where you can explore the flora and fauna and view the wildlife in the area.
Point 6 – The engineer responsible for the building of the Trent and Mersey Canal was James Brindley from Derbyshire. Despite being one of England’s greatest engineers he could not read or write properly but had a brilliant brain. Brindley died before he could complete the final piece in his canal network that revolutionised trade in this country. Hugh Henshall, his brother-in-law, completed the work. A milestone marks every mile along the route to Preston Brook.
THE ROUTE
1. Start at the entrance of Mercia Marina and follow the footpath around the back of Midland Chandler’s shop. To access the road from Findern to Willington, where you turn left.
2. Continue along the footpath which bends to the left over the bridge above the A50. Follow the road around to the right with Findern Village Green in front of you. A village sign has been erected on the green to mark the Millennium and, more recently, a village map added. During 2006, the neglected Parish Rooms were transformed and together with the village hall now provide much-needed facilities for what is a very active community.
3. Keep to the right of the green and go to the left in front of All Saints’ Church, and follow the churchyard wall around into Common Piece Lane. Continue straight down the lane past the cemetery.
4. Where the lane forks, go to the right, past a footpath information board for Crow Park Way. After a short distance go through a stile by a metal gate, there are wildlife sites on either side of the lane, which are well worth exploring. When the lane forks turn right through a tunnel under the A50.
5. On emerging from the tunnel, turn left up a wide access road and just before reaching a metal gate, go to the right down a flight of steps and continue straight on passing to the right of Stanhope Community Woodland.
6. When you reach the Trent and Mersey Canal, turn left and follow the path along the canal bank and under a railway bridge. At the end of the path cross, a canal bridge and once over the other side turn right. James Brindley from Derbyshire devised a transport system using canals. The most famous of which was the Trent and Mersey Canal, known as the Grand Trunk, which connected canal systems throughout the country.
7. Continue along the canal towpath eventually passing under two bridges in quick succession. The Nadee Restaurant is on the opposite bank. Soon after this watch out for a high-sided footbridge over the canal, which you cross and follow the path back to Mercia Marina.
