Geo-Trips :: Boating on the Chesterfield Canal and up the River Trent

Chesterfield Canal and River Trent

A boat trip from Drakeholes, Sun, 23 Sep 2012 by Graham Horn

preceding legThis trip is part of a series.next leg

The 'middle' day of two and a half days helping a friend to move her boat. We started from Drakeholes on the Chesterfield Canal, in good weather, but the day gradually deteriorated. The canal section is wonderful; one of those under-sung sections of canal with no boats or lock queues.

We set off early to arrive for a morning lock-down on to the tidal River Trent, so that the ide would help us get up to Torksey, where we moored for the night. Actually we arrived there in early afternoon, so also went for a short walk around the Torksey area collecting a few personal points.

Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )

↓ Scroll down here ↓

SK7090 : Drakeholes by Graham Horn
Drakeholes
The morning after the night before, see [[[3153183]]] After a peaceful night at a... more

SK7090 : Drakeholes tunnel by Graham Horn
Drakeholes tunnel
The southern section of this 154 yard tunnel is brick lined. This appears to be a... more

SK7090 : Drakeholes tunnel by Graham Horn
Drakeholes tunnel
The guidebook notes talk of an unlined tunnel. The northern section here is brick... more

SK7090 : Drakeholes tunnel by Graham Horn
Drakeholes tunnel
This is the northern portal of the 154 yard long tunnel. It is in a wooded... more

SK7091 : Chesterfield Canal approaching Drakeholes by Graham Horn
Chesterfield Canal approaching Drakeholes
The canal just grazes the south-east corner of this square, but enough to get an... more

SK7191 : Chesterfield Canal near Gringley by Graham Horn
Chesterfield Canal near Gringley
This is a lovely wooded section, especially with the early morning mist still... more

SK7291 : Chesterfield Canal near Gringley by Graham Horn
Chesterfield Canal near Gringley
This is a wooded section for the most part, but here there is rough pasture,... more

SK7291 : View from the canal by Graham Horn
View from the canal
The canal runs along the contour with Gringley on the Hill behind us. To the north... more

SK7291 : Impressive sky by Graham Horn
Impressive sky
This looked stunning in reality. The early morning sun was breaking through the... more

SK7291 : Gringley top lock by Graham Horn
Gringley top lock
Waiting for the lock to fill. It has a rise, or fall, of 6' 4". The old... more

SK7291 : Gringley top lock by Graham Horn
Gringley top lock
One of the new top gates, and the markings show it has been installed at the right... more

SK7291 : Gringley top lock by Graham Horn
Gringley top lock
A peaceful spot waiting for the lock to fill. Clumps of grass are a common... more

SK7291 : Gringley top lock by Graham Horn
Gringley top lock
Waiting for the lock to empty. It has a fall, or rise, of 6' 4". The old... more

SK7391 : Middle Bridge by Graham Horn
Middle Bridge
Adjacent to Middle Bridge is Middle Bridge Farm. This is 'middle' in the sense of... more

SK7392 : Building near Shaw Bridge by Graham Horn
Building near Shaw Bridge
I'm intrigued as to what this building is/was. It is marked on the map, but with... more

SK7391 : Shaw Lock by Graham Horn
Shaw Lock
A simple wooden bridge leads over the bywash channel towards arable fields.

SK7392 : Shaw Bridge by Graham Horn
Shaw Bridge
Shaw Road crosses Shaw Bridge adjacent to Shaw Lock. Are we sure about this?

SK7492 : Chesterfield Canal by Graham Horn
Chesterfield Canal
A peaceful section of the canal near Gringley. The towpath is used by the Trent... more

SK7592 : Next to the canal by Graham Horn
Next to the canal
From the map, this might be a brickworks, but part of the site is a dumping ground... more

SK7592 : Smith's Bridge by Graham Horn
Smith's Bridge
Leading to a former smithy perhaps, or just a person's name. These days it leads... more

SK7593 : Fountain Hill Farm by Graham Horn
Fountain Hill Farm
An impressive farmhouse, and paddocks running down to the canal bank.

SK7593 : Fountain Hill Farm by Graham Horn
Fountain Hill Farm
A well maintained farm, with paddocks running down to the canal, with a private... more

SK7593 : Hodson's Bridge by Graham Horn
Hodson's Bridge
A farm accommodation bridge.

SK7594 : Near Hodson's Bridge by Graham Horn
Near Hodson's Bridge
Hodson's Bridge is just around the next corner. But this is looking back, we are... more

SK7694 : Paddock near Cooper's Bridge by Graham Horn
Paddock near Cooper's Bridge
Taken from a boat going along the canal. The horses took no notice of us.

SK7694 : Wharf Bridge by Graham Horn
Wharf Bridge
The middle bridge of three passing Misterton. We had just disentangled ourselves... more

SK7794 : Misterton Top Lock by Graham Horn
Misterton Top Lock
One of a pair, this one with a fall of 6'10". The lock house is now a... more

SK7794 : Misterton Locks by Graham Horn
Misterton Locks
Looking from the top lock towards the bottom one, as I have the paddle up waiting... more

SK7794 : Misterton Low Lock by Graham Horn
Misterton Low Lock
The lower of the pair has a fall of 6'8". The top lock can be seen beyond... more

SK7894 : Stockwith Basin by Graham Horn
Stockwith Basin
Looking across the basin towards the boat club clubhouse (white) and the... more

SK7894 : Stockwith Basin by Graham Horn
Stockwith Basin
Looking across the quieter, eastern side of the basin. There is a slipway on the... more

SK7894 : Stockwith Basin by Graham Horn
Stockwith Basin
There are two narrowboats for hire here, Maid Marion and, hidden behind her, Robin... more

SK7894 : Approaching Stockwith Lock - method 1 by Graham Horn
Approaching Stockwith Lock - method 1
As we waited for our departure from Stockwith Lock onto the tidal River Trent, we... more

SK7894 : Approaching Stockwith Lock - method 2 by Graham Horn
Approaching Stockwith Lock - method 2
As we waited for our departure from Stockwith Lock onto the tidal River Trent, we... more

SK7894 : Stockwith Lock by Graham Horn
Stockwith Lock
I'm on a narrowboat, locking down from Stockwith Basin, Chesterfield Canal, onto... more

SK7894 : Stockwith Lock by Graham Horn
Stockwith Lock
We are waiting for the bottom gates to open to let us out onto the tidal River... more

SK7894 : Leaving Stockwith by Graham Horn
Leaving Stockwith
Having navigated the boat out of Stockwith Lock on to the tidal River Trent, this... more

SK7894 : Units to Let by Graham Horn
Units to Let
Good riverside access, if you need that sort of thing. Landing stage a bit dodgy though.

SK7893 : Navigating the Trent by Graham Horn
Navigating the Trent
Seven minutes out from Stockwith and I'm now comfortable with the width of the... more

SK7893 : Walkerith by Graham Horn
Walkerith
It takes a while to adjust to the speed on the river, but I have now pinpointed... more

SK7893 : Walkerith by Graham Horn
Walkerith
It takes a while to adjust to the speed on the river, but I have now pinpointed... more

SK7992 : River Trent by Graham Horn
River Trent
We are well under way on the river now, and although I am having trouble... more

SK8091 : Drainage facility  by Graham Horn
Drainage facility
This appears to be at the end of a large land drain flowing into the River Trent.... more

SK8091 : Drainage facility by Graham Horn
Drainage facility
This appears to be at the end of a large land drain flowing into the River Trent.... more

SK8091 : Approaching Morton by Graham Horn
Approaching Morton
The buildings on the right, called The Wharf, appear to be new flats in the style... more

SK8091 : Passing Morton by Graham Horn
Passing Morton
The houses to the left are on the site of the wharf, but appear to be modern... more

SK8091 : Meeting their promise - 1 by Graham Horn
Meeting their promise - 1
When we left Stockwith Lock, 28 minutes earlier, two private cruisers were going... more

SK8091 : Meeting their promise - 2 by Graham Horn
Meeting their promise - 2
When we left Stockwith Lock, 28 minutes earlier, two private cruisers were going... more

SK8091 : Meeting their promise - 3 by Graham Horn
Meeting their promise - 3
When we left Stockwith Lock, 28 minutes earlier, two private cruisers were going... more

SK8090 : Approaching Gainsborough by Graham Horn
Approaching Gainsborough
This is the reach between Morton and Gainsborough, not much to see apart from the... more

SK8090 : Approaching Gainsborough by Graham Horn
Approaching Gainsborough
The narrowboat ahead of us is approximately where I have placed the subject... more

SK8090 : Riverside Approach by Graham Horn
Riverside Approach
These new flats, on the site of an old wharf, are accessed from landward by a road... more

SK8189 : Wharf in Gainsborough by Graham Horn
Wharf in Gainsborough
It had started raining hard so I left our helmswoman to it and went below for a... more

SK8189 : Gainsborough water front by Graham Horn
Gainsborough water front
The old wharves are now virtually all replaced by modern flats and office... more

SK8189 : Gainsborough Bridge by Graham Horn
Gainsborough Bridge
Also known as Gainsborough Arches, although I think that more properly refers to... more

SK8188 : Kerry Ingredients by Graham Horn
Kerry Ingredients
To quote the company's website "we develop, manufacture and deliver... more

SK8088 : Rounding Saundby bend by Graham Horn
Rounding Saundby bend
There are some sharp bends on the river; Saundby bend here is one of the sharpest... more

SK8088 : Trent Junction railway bridge by Graham Horn
Trent Junction railway bridge
There are two main arches, both navigable, so we took the right-hand one in case... more

SK8088 : Trent Junction railway bridge by Graham Horn
Trent Junction railway bridge
There are two main arches, both navigable, so we took the right-hand one in case... more

SK8187 : Up the Trent by Graham Horn
Up the Trent
South (upstream) of Trent Junction railway bridge. The narrowboat ahead of us is... more

SK8187 : Up the Trent by Graham Horn
Up the Trent
West Burton power station starts to come into view.

SK8087 : Up the Trent by Graham Horn
Up the Trent
West Burton power station, SK7985 comes into view as we pass through the... more

SK8086 : West Burton power station by Graham Horn
West Burton power station
The power station is back from the river, but the river is dominated by it.... more

SK8086 : Pipeline protection? by Graham Horn
Pipeline protection?
I'm not sure what this is. I'm speculating that there is a pipeline under here... more

SK8086 : Grazing along the bank by Graham Horn
Grazing along the bank
Having passed the power station, then seen evidence of a pipeline, it seemed... more

SK8085 : Towards West Burton power station by Graham Horn
Towards West Burton power station
As the river takes another sharp turn we see West Burton power station on out hind... more

SK8185 : Forever chasing by Graham Horn
Forever chasing
We continue to follow another narrowboat up the river. It always remained 200 to... more

SK8185 : Continuing up the Trent by Graham Horn
Continuing up the Trent
We continue to follow another narrowboat up the river. It always remained 200 to... more

SK8185 : Port marker by Graham Horn
Port marker
In times of flood the markers indicate the normal edge of the river, heading... more

SK8186 : Navigation marker on Lea Marsh by Graham Horn
Navigation marker on Lea Marsh
In times of flood the markers indicate the normal edge of the river, heading... more

SK8285 : Knaith Reach by Graham Horn
Knaith Reach
We continue to follow another narrowboat up the river. It always remained 200 to... more

SK8284 : Knaith Reach by Graham Horn
Knaith Reach
Mainly the banks are too high to see anything. But occasionally, as here, they... more

SK8284 : Stream entering the Trent by Graham Horn
Stream entering the Trent
This is probably the stream marked on the large scale map. It seemed an exciting... more

SK8284 : Knaith Hall by Graham Horn
Knaith Hall
There are the remains of a Cistercian Priory in the trees, just visible to the... more

SK8284 : Knaith Hall by Graham Horn
Knaith Hall
There are the remains of a Cistercian Priory in the trees to the left, just... more

SK8283 : Down the Trent by Graham Horn
Down the Trent
The river is tortuous. It took me some time to work out that this power station,... more

SK8283 : Burton Chateau by Graham Horn
Burton Chateau
The building ,with grounds down to the River Trent, is in the hands of the... more

SK8282 : Trent Bank Cottage by Graham Horn
Trent Bank Cottage
A house at Littleborough that seems in danger of flooding should the river get too high.

SK8282 : House at Littleborough by Graham Horn
House at Littleborough
Adjacent to the River Trent but probably high enough above the river to not be... more

SK8281 : Drainage pumping station by Graham Horn
Drainage pumping station
One of many drainage ditches ends up here with water presumably being pumped into... more

SK8281 : Drainage outlet by Graham Horn
Drainage outlet
One of many drainage ditches ends up here with water presumably being pumped into... more

SK8381 : Trent Port by Graham Horn
Trent Port
The name Trent Port is a little ambitious, consisting of just this small jetty.... more

SK8381 : Trent Port by Graham Horn
Trent Port
The name Trent Port is a little ambitious, consisting of just this small jetty.... more

SK8381 : Power on the Trent by Graham Horn
Power on the Trent
Cottam power station still some way away in SK8179 is framed by one of the many... more

SK8380 : Up the Trent by Graham Horn
Up the Trent
We have been going upstream with the tide for two hours now, and are still... more

SK8380 : Old and new buildings by Graham Horn
Old and new buildings
Cottam power station SK8179 is in the background. Near the river bank in this... more

SK8380 : Birds on the Trent by Graham Horn
Birds on the Trent
This naturally shallow section of the river bank seemed popular with wading birds.

SK8380 : Power on the Trent by Graham Horn
Power on the Trent
In the background is Cottam power station in SK7981 . In the foreground is a... more

SK8380 : Wildlife on the Trent by Graham Horn
Wildlife on the Trent
This heron appears to be stalking this swan, although the latter was not showing... more

SK8379 : Buildings next to the Trent by Graham Horn
Buildings next to the Trent
What are they? Google maps shows a whole group of portable buildings here, next... more

SK8379 : Torksey viaduct by Graham Horn
Torksey viaduct
This is disused but formerly carried the Lincoln to Retford railway line. There... more

SK8379 : Torksey viaduct by Graham Horn
Torksey viaduct
This is disused but formerly carried the Lincoln to Retford railway line. There... more

SK8379 : Torksey viaduct by Graham Horn
Torksey viaduct
This is disused but formerly carried the Lincoln to Retford railway line. There... more

SK8378 : Torksey church by Graham Horn
Torksey church
The tower of the church in the village, which is set back from the river, peers... more

SK8378 : Torksey castle by Graham Horn
Torksey castle
The remains of a 16th century fortified Tudor manor house, never a true castle... more

SK8378 : Torksey castle by Graham Horn
Torksey castle
The remains of a 16th century fortified Tudor manor house, never a true castle... more

SK8378 : View from Torksey Lock by Graham Horn
View from Torksey Lock
This is taken from the A156 road bridge crossing the tail of Torksey Lock. The... more

SK8378 : Reach below Torksey Lock by Graham Horn
Reach below Torksey Lock
This is taken from the A156 road bridge crossing the tail of Torksey Lock. The... more

SK8378 : Maize at Torksey by Graham Horn
Maize at Torksey
In this square is a field of maize, probably game cover or to be harvested for... more

SK8478 : Irrigation equipment by Graham Horn
Irrigation equipment
I did not expect to see irrigation equipment after the very wet summer we have... more

SK8478 : Drainage channel off Sand Lane by Graham Horn
Drainage channel off Sand Lane
This channel surrounds the golf course, but probably pre-dates it. Beyond are new... more

SK8478 : Paddock at Firs Farm by Graham Horn
Paddock at Firs Farm
Evidence of simple practising for the local horse-jumping events, in the field... more

SK8478 : Bungalow for sale by Graham Horn
Bungalow for sale
This is a small bungalow adjacent to the former Lincoln to Retford railway, the... more

SK8478 : Land at Torkesy Common by Graham Horn
Land at Torkesy Common
In the foreground is the trackbed of the former Lincoln to Retford railway.... more

SK8479 : Castle Inn, Torksey by Graham Horn
Castle Inn, Torksey
This is a local's pub, not particularly near the castle but named after it. The... more

SK8379 : Former railway bridge by Graham Horn
Former railway bridge
This is the abutment of the former Retford to Lincoln railway line where it... more

SK8378 : Torksey church by Graham Horn
Torksey church
Dedicated to St Peter. The chancel and nave are very plain following restoration... more

SK8378 : Hume Arms by Graham Horn
Hume Arms
This large roadside pub seems to have had at least one reprieve from closure, but... more

SK8378 : Most of Torksey by Graham Horn
Most of Torksey
The village is not large, although there are hidden gems. It is bisected by the... more

All images © Graham Horn and available under a Creative Commons licence external link.

You are not logged in login | register