Jo’s Monday walk : Canalside in Nottingham

A faithful companion

A faithful companion

Nothing quite gladdens my heart like stepping out along a towpath on a sunny day.  Canalside people seem to me to be some of the friendliest in the world.  I hadn’t planned to walk along the canal at Nottingham, but I had a couple of hours to spare before meeting my daughter for lunch. The canal runs right by her office, and the sparkle of the water had me hooked before I knew it. Added to which, I couldn’t possibly get lost following a towpath! (my sense of direction being notoriously lacking)

There’s something really delightful about being in the heart of the city and yet totally removed from the hurly-burly and the bustle.  Come and walk with me, and we’ll leave our cares behind.

This was the scene that greeted me on the towpath

This was the scene that greeted me on the towpath

It’s fluffy offspring time of year
The dog sat almost patiently while the geese were fed

It was part of their morning routine to attend to the canal’s wildlife.  The young man was happy to chat while he fed the goslings.  The dog resisted its strong impulse to give chase.

Trams ran overhead

Trams run overhead

But I was more interested in the serenity beneath

But I was more interested in the serenity beneath

Nottingham Canal came into being in the 1790s as a means of carrying coal from the mines, which were scattered around the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire borders, into the city. Previously the coal had been hauled overland, or via the Erewash Canal and River Trent.  The new canal, which ran for a little under 15 miles, would more than halve both journey and cost.  But, with the advent of the railways and the increasing cost of tolls, the canal was no longer viable.

Following privatisation in 1947, almost any local authority who wanted it could have the land, with the result that much of the canal has been filled in and built over.  I was oblivious to this as I pursued my stroll along the canal.  The downstream section through the city centre, and connecting to the River Trent, remains in use.

Many buildings back onto the canal

Many buildings back onto the canal

There are quiet benches for picnics
And plenty of passing boats to wave to
The British Waterways building
Canalside restaurants
Around the canal basin
While cyclists happily scoot past

Cyclists scoot happily past

The towpath is also part of Nottingham’s Big Track, a 10 mile cycle route which follows the canal from the railway station in Nottingham to Beeston locks, and returns via the Trent riverside path.

Bike track

Bike or walk?  You can choose

Ahead, the excitement of a lock!

Ahead, the excitement of a lock!

Castle Lock beckons

Castle Lock beckons

I don’t walk far before I’m having more encounters with the wildlife.  A coot is a little curious about me, but not sure if he wants to hang around.  Smart apartments line the canal at this point, and I’m rather surprised to come upon a heron, nonchalantly preening himself.  The young man with the dog catches me up and tells me that this is the heron’s regular haunt, seemingly oblivious to observers.

Mr. Coot scurries rapidly away
Then stops and reconsiders
And can you see the heron on the far bank?
Here he is in close-up

The canal twists and turns through the city.  Around the next bend I find a colourful narrowboat and pause to admire the painted canal ware displayed on deck.  A passerby stops to tell me that the boat sells beautiful things.  He thinks it must be moving on today as there are usually many more goods to see.  The owner pops his head out, and we chat about his next destination.

All manner of boats are tied up along the towpath, or come chugging towards me.  I’m looking out for Castle Meadow marina, where I hope I might find some breakfast.  As I approach a barman is putting umbrellas up to shade the outdoor tables.  When he smiles, I ask if he’s doing coffee.  “Not till 11” he says.  My face falls because it’s only 10.20am.  I hover, looking at the boats, and he takes pity on me.  I don’t push my luck and ask for toast, but it’s very pleasant sitting there, at the ‘Water’s Edge’.

Rosie and Jim?
Or a smart canal cruiser
My bench, at ‘Water’s Edge’
Friendly swans. Sorry guys- no toast!
Pot plants look so nice, on board

You know that I couldn’t resist a wander among the boats before carrying on along the towpath, don’t you?  They’re all so colourful and individual.  Do you have a favourite?

A crock of gold?
Another fluffy family
Coot babies are quite spiky!
In search of a firebird
Canal street art!
Just a little scary?
Not like Tinkerbell!

I carry on, not sure how much further I should go because I have a lunch date.  There are some lovely canalside homes and even a boat builder’s yard.  Hawthorn tumbles from the trees and I take many more photos.

The blossom crowds the towpath

The blossom crowds the towpath

Jill looking beautiful in the boatyard

‘Jill’ looking beautiful in the boatyard

With sparkling Vermuyden for company

With sparkling Vermuyden for company

I turn back reluctantly, not sure how much further I could have followed the canal.  If you are interested in the history, this link will tell you a little more.  I joined the canal at Trent Road.

I’m sure some of you will have glazed eyes.  I just can’t help my fascination with boats, and for me it was a lovely respite from a sometimes stressful world.  Time now to put that kettle on and see what everyone else has to share.

walking logo

As always, if you click on my logo it’ll take you to the Jo’s Monday walk page, where I explain how to join me.  Thank you very much to all my contributors for keeping me so well entertained.  Your company is priceless.

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First up, it’s a little dainty stepping out in the desert with Drake this week :

Step’ing stone in the sand 

Tobias enjoys looking for the details :

A short walk around Luxemburgplatz

If you like walking, sometimes you just have to ignore the weather :

Lake District walks : Easdale Tarn

Or how about a pretty little village stroll, complete with clogs?

A bit of green 

Going from green to blue, with somewhere rather nice to sit :

A walk in the woods

Does anyone write a better ‘gardens’ post than Jude?  I don’t think so!

Garden Portrait : Trelissick

Let’s travel to Toronto with a newcomer next.  Please say hello!

Monday walks : Toronto Doors Open

A luscious cacti garden in Arizona next, and Amy’s first humming bird!

The Desert Botanical Garden

Geoff made the very most of a Bank Holiday Monday with…

A Blast on the Heath

Not so much a walk as … varoom- varoom!  A ride :

On the Grid at the Indy 500

Rosemay is ‘under the weather’ in Munich, but what a beautiful city!

A stroll in the Englischer Garten

And last, and totally fabulous- Gilly has us flirting with death on the cliff tops!

A Walk at Morte Point

Thank you so much, everyone!  Definitely living up to my name  this month- next weekend sees me in Norfolk, visiting with Polish family.  I hope to schedule a Monday walk, and I’ll be back Monday evening to chat with you.  Till then, have a wonderful week!

112 comments

  1. Lovely canal walk. We spent some time in Nottinghamshire in the 80s but I never knew the city well. It looks great. Another Lake District walk for you – still on the damp side!

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    2. Thanks a lot, Anabel. It’s another of those cities with many aspects to it, and the canal is definitely one of my favourites. What else would the Lakes be but damp? 🙂 Many thanks to you!

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  6. This is all my old stomping ground , we lived at the back of the canal as children, walked over the bridges every day. The Navigation Pub was our regular as teenagers. And to top it all our son is the manager of the marina there and him and his wife lived on a narrow boat for 6yrs until Megan was 3 and they wanted more children. Lovely memories, we will be there again wednesday, having lunch with family. Thank you 🙂

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    1. I first went to that marina when my daughter was living in West Bridgeford and my son was just a toddler. I still have a lovely photo of them from that time. Nice to share memories 🙂

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  7. Really enjoyed that – I’ve always fancied the idea of a canal boat holiday but only if it’s sunny! Don’t think a week cooped up in a boat or heaving locks open and shut in the rain would be such fun 😦

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  8. Pingback: Lake District walks: Silver How – Anabel's Travel Blog

    1. One of the things I meant to include in my account was how well maintained it was. There was a team of workers painting the rings alongside the canal and keeping everything looking spick and span. Thanks a lot, Colline 🙂

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    1. I could have spent all day just wandering and loitering, Meg. 🙂 Thank you very much- yes, that would be great! I thought that when I read it this morning.

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  11. I love this canal walk, Jo. We have a canal walk in Richmond, Virginia that is quite nice, so I can really relate. I love the boat with the potted plant on the bow. And I love those last couple of photos with the boats reflected in the water. You and I share a love of boats, that’s for sure. Now, what I really want to hear about is your lunch with Lisa. I hope it was lovely. 🙂

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    1. Hiya Cathy! 🙂 The link on ‘lunch’ takes you to my dinner hour with Lisa (it’s a windows post 🙂 ) All very virtuous though- no cake photos 🙂
      Did you have a great weekend with your friend? I meant to come visiting but I’m seriously behind again because of the unplanned visit to Nottingham. I’ll pop over later.

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      1. Don’t worry Jo! I’m seriously behind of everything too. I went away on the weekend and had a great time. Now, I think I’m going away again this weekend as well! Not only that but we’re winding down our semester with a huge writing project with the students requiring staggering deadlines of outlines, first drafts and final drafts, meaning I’ll be marking 3 sets of 73 papers in my final 6 weeks here! No time!!!!

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  12. Wonderful captures – a splendid walk here – really did enjoy it… 🙂

    Fascinating that we can sail (in flat-bottomed barges) through England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea… 🙂

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  13. Pingback: Memory walk through the village | Le Drake Noir

  15. wonderful photographs. Its funny I spent 3 years studying at Nottingham university, and I don;t recall ever seeing a barge! You have shown me another side to this beautiful city..thank you

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  17. I have always liked canals. When I was a boy some friends adn I used to spend summer holidays at the locks near where we lived and hoped to earn a penny or two opening and closing the gates for the holiday cruisers. No parent would let their children play near the canal these days! Thanks for the memory nudge.

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  18. Canals and their wharfs are such fascinating places. We once chugged round the Cheshire Ring; it really did feel as if you were in a different time zone, and indeed, a different country. It’s a shame they still can’t be used for shifting heavy goods, and declutter the motorways. A lovely walk.

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    1. That’s a very valid point, Tish. There are still some of the heavier haulage boats but they’re mostly used for repairing the canals. Thanks for your company this bright and sunny morning. I’m off to the Moors soon. 🙂

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  20. You always find some lovely places to walk Jo – you’d never think you were in a big city from the photos! Just love that shot of the porthole window with the “dog” in it! I can’t decide which boat is my favourite I love all the vibrant colours! What a serene and peaceful spot and beautiful sunny weather too thanks for sharing the lovely photos of your walk 🙂

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