This photo walk is in Leicestershire and will take you on a 3 mile circular route from Sutton Cheney Wharf.
You will encounter a nice mix of scenery as it includes a walk along the Ashby Canal, through a wood and along a disused railway line giving plenty of varied photo opportunities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Overview
The Sutton Cheney photo walk is just under 3 miles and pretty level so is suitable for most people.
Sometimes the canal tow path gets muddy so I suggest you wear good sturdy boots. I have included links to some of the places you will pass on this walk. The links provide more detailed information about what they have to offer.
There is a great canal side cafe well worth a visit at the end of your walk[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Sutton Cheney to Bosworth Battlefield Centre
The walk starts at Sutton Cheney Wharf where you can park your car.
You will encounter varied photographic subject matter on this photo walk. Scenery includes a walk along the Ashby Canal, through a wood and along a disused railway line providing plenty of varied photo opportunities
Once parked up in the car park (currently £1 but prices may alter), walk past the cafe and straight onto the trail.
The first section starts off skirting the edge of a field along the Ashby Canal. After a short walk you enter the first wooded section known as Ambion Wood.
There are a great deal of varied photo opportunities here.
In the spring it is full of blossom, summer brings a carpet of woodland flowers and the autumn has many different types of fungi.
Following the trail through the wood brings you out into a field.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Bosworth Battlefield Centre to Shenton Railway Station
Cross the field and you will find yourself at the Battle of Bosworth Visitor Centre. The whole area is rich in history with much information available on the famous battle of 1485.
The Battle of Bosworth Visitor Centre has a museum and another cafe.
Carry on up the small hill known as Ambion Hill and follow the path up towards the giant flag pole. You will come to the display commemorating the 1485 Battle of Bosworth.
The memorial is a huge sundial formed from a Pike style weapon hoisting a replica crown of King Richard III. Surrounding the sundial is a ring of red and white roses.
At the side of this flies a giant flag bearing Richards colours.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7998″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]Richard IIIs crown hoisted upon a billhook which is part of the Battle of Bosworth memorial to the 1485 battle. Licence from Alamy[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7997″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]Richard IIIs house colours flying above the Battle of Bosworth Visitor centre. Licence from Alamy[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
The battle of Bosworth took place in 1485 and was the last major battle of the English civil war called the ‘War of the Roses’. This battle ended the Plantagenet line and heralded the start of the Tudor Dynasty.
There has been much interest since the discovery and reburial of Richards body.
The actual battle site location has been a matter of conjecture for a long time.
A couple of years ago, the exact site was found a few miles away. Richard IIIs standard flies over the memorial and from this point you can look across the countryside to the battlefield. The exact location is not disclosed to avoid trophy hunters disturbing the site.
Archaeological research is ongoing and will be for many years.
From the sun-dial continue along the trail down the side of the field. Along this section you will encounter several displays with audio and visual information about key players and their role in the battle.
This is the steepest and roughest part of the walk. Follow the path along the edge of the field. You will soon see Shenton railway station appear. Shenton is the southern terminus of the Battlefield Railway. Walk through two swing gates and you will arrive at the railway station.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”3″ filter_size=”md” include=”7999″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1557307650684-1e502dca-703c-0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Shenton Railway Station to the Ashby Canal
Shenton railway station is one end of the ‘Battlefield Line’ steam railway which runs north to Shackerstone.
In 1873 the Midland and London North Western railway companies opened the Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway. Passenger services ended in 1931 and the line was finally closed to all traffic in 1964.
The line is now run as a preserved heritage railway between Shenton and Shackerstone. The railway is home to a small number of steam and heritage diesel locomotives.
Turning left at Shenton station the walk carries along the disused track bed.
Along this section are several pools to the side of the main walk. Some have bird spotting cabins where you can stop to sit and watch the birds.
As you walk along this disused section of railway, you see many apple trees – what are the chances these have grown from apple cores thrown out of passing train windows all those years ago?
When the blossom comes out it is a beautiful scene.
After approximately 3/4 mile you come to a derelict railway bridge that takes you over the Ashby canal.
Cross the bridge and walk down the side of the railway embankment to join the Ashby Canal tow path.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”3″ filter_size=”md” include=”8000,8001″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1557307650687-8ab002bd-800c-9″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Ashby Canal back to Sutton Cheney
The Ashby canal is 31 miles long and connected the Leicestershire mining districts with the Coventry Canal in Warwickshire.
The Ashby Canal opened in 1804 and remained profitable through to the 1890s. Today the canal is popular with leisure boaters and you will see many holiday canal boats on its waters.
Walk under the bridge along the canal for the last section of the walk.
This section is about 1 mile long and brings you back to the Wharf cafe at Sutton Cheney. A note of caution for this section. The tow path can get pretty muddy, particularly as you get nearer to Sutton Cheney, so it pays to have good footwear.
Once back at Sutton Cheney you will no doubt be ready for a well earned drink or snack in the cafe.
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Photographic Opportunities
This photo walk presents many options to photographers. You walk through varying types of scenery and pass by two local attractions. You will find much of interest to photograph whatever your preferred photographic inclinations are.
History and nature feature heavily throughout this walk. Ambion Wood provides plenty of opportunity for macro photography. Many Fungi and wildflower species are found in the undergrowth. Just remember not to stray off the edges of the pathway.
Shenton railway station and the Battlefield Line provide interest for those who enjoy railway photography. Preserved railways are good sources of material suitable for black and white photography.
The pools alongside the disused railway are a haven for wildlife. Many different species of bird, insect and flower can be found here.
The Ashby canal is busy with recreational narrowboats. The canal and colourful boats provide plenty of opportunities to get colourful abstract reflections. Wildlife is abundant alongside the canal. Those who enjoy wildlife photography have plenty of interesting subject matter.
Throughout the walk you will see many different types of flower and plant species. Nature photographers in particular will find plenty of interest to photograph.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
I hope you have enjoyed my description of this walk and the sights and photo opportunities that are offered. Whatever your particular niche or preferred style of photography, I am sure you will find something of interest.
Thanks for reading, please feel free to leave comments below
Cheers
Gary[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
The Monsal Trail is a walk through the Peak District and offers some spectacular scenery and interesting opportunities for photographers. The Monsal Trail follows the route of the disused Midland Railway from Bakewell through to Topley Pike. The history of this railway line is discussed in my post about the Peak Rail steam railway which tells how part of the disused line was reopened and is now operated as a steam railway. The railway closed in 1968 as part of the cuts following the ‘Beeching Report’ and the trackbed lay unused until being converted into a designated walk.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row font_color=”#00478c”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
In 1981 the disused railway line opened as the Monsal trail and allowed walkers, cyclists and horse riders access to the impressive Peak District scenery once reserved for train passengers only. Being a former railway line means the walking is not taxing in terms of steep climbs. The walkway is solid underfoot meaning those people who are ‘not so able’ can enjoy the Peak District scenery with relative ease. Even though the walking is level, you should always have good sturdy footwear. The trail is approximately 8.5 miles in length and includes 4 tunnels between 400 and 500 yards long to walk through in addition to a couple of impressive viaducts to walk over. Initially the tunnels remained closed and alternative routes around the tunnels were used. Work was undertaken to make the tunnels suitably safe and they were eventually opened to allow people a unique experience. The tunnels are lit during daylight hours and impressive to walk through, lets face it you don’t often get the chance to walk through railway tunnels! All I can say is they are impressive enough in their disused condition, let alone with a steam engine and coaches thundering through. That would have been a sight to see.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row font_color=”#00478c”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
At various points along the trail you will find public footpaths crossing the route. This gives you the opportunity to take a more adventurous walk across the peak district to some of the higher viewpoints if you so wish.
At the north end of Headstone Tunnel, you will find a trail leading up to Monsal Head. Please note, this is a steep climb. The effort is well rewarded with a view looking over the Wye valley. There is a cafe at the top which is a useful place to recharge your batteries. Just remember it doesnt open on Mondays.
It is important to remember to dress appropriately, especially in winter months as my visit did. The day started in brilliant sunshine, albeit with very cold temperatures and strong winds. Within a couple of hours the weather turned to heavy rain, and with the strong wind, made the walking bracing to say the least. Car parks and toilets can be found at Bakewell, Hassop, Monsal Head and Miller’s Dale. If cycling is your thing and you don’t bring your own bikes then you will find bike hire at Bakewell, Hassop Station and Blackwell Mill.
The Peak District is full of photographic opportunities and the fact that the railway cuts right through the countryside means the photographer can get some unique views. For a start, the tunnels provide pretty unique photographic opportunity in themselves. Although well lit for walkers and general walking, the tunnels are still pretty dark as you can imagine. A tripod will allow all sorts of creative opportunities. Something you need to bare in mind is the fact that the wind absolutely whistles through the tunnels regardless of the weather outside. A good tripod is recommended to compensate for this. Another thing to remember if you do use a tripod in the tunnels, is that the wind isnt the only thing zipping through the tunnels. Some of the cyclists absolutely fly through so make sure you dont get too distracted and become part of an accident in the dim light. Just north of the first tunnel, Headstone Tunnel, is Monsal Viaduct. If you are feeling energetic then take the steep path immediately to the right of the tunnel up to Monsal Head. At the top you get a great view down on to Monsal Viaduct and the River Wye as shown above. Another item of interest for photographers is walking through the platforms of the disued station at Great Longstone which served Thornbridge Hall. This main station is a private residence so creative opportunities are limited. Immediately next to this are the impressive facilities used by those going to and from Thornbridge Hall. A great illustration of the times and how society worked in those days. In addition to these railway specific features, the trail is littered with photographic opportunities including moss covered trees and drystone walls, stratified rock formations in the cuttings where the navvies literally blasted their way through the rock and rolling views of the Peak District. This report only covers the 2.5 mile section from Hassop Station through to Monsal Viaduct. Further north there is plenty to see and photograph. A report of these sections will follow later in the year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Lasting Impression
The Monsal trail is a nice undemanding walk and is accessible to almost everybody. Cycle hire is readily available should you wish to bike the route. The section between Hassop and Monsal Viaduct starts off through gentle rolling hills and finishes as the countryside becomes noticeably more rugged. Several points of interest, both photographically and historically, are encountered to make the 2.5 miles enjoyable. Reports on the northernmost sections will follow in due course. Thanks for reading and I hope you find this report useful Cheers Gary[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”sky” el_width=”70″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Share this report on the Monsal Trail with your friends and colleagues …. thanks!
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