On a cloudy and cool summer’s day, June 13th 2022, I ticked two stations off the list of stations in Derbyshire to visit; Chesterfield and Dronfield. My destination was Dronfield, but I had to change trains at Chesterfield on the way there and back. On the way up to Dronfield, I had to change at…… Continue reading Derbyshire Stations – Dronfield and Chesterfield
The Big Burton Carousel
Following the huge success of 2020’s Burton Swans Trail, the people behind that have launched Burton on Trent’s second sculpture trail, The Big Burton Carousel. Thirty decorated carousel horses have been installed all around Burton for people to go and visit. The trail was inspired by Orton & Spooner, a local company who produced fairground…… Continue reading The Big Burton Carousel
Burton on Trent Landmarks #15 – Magistrates Court
Standing on Horninglow Street is Burton upon Trent’s former Magistrates Court House, opened in 1910 and closed in 2016. Former Magistrates Court. To the right is the former youth court, and to the left is the former Plough Inn pub. The court house was built from 1909-1910 and was designed by local architect Henry Beck.…… Continue reading Burton on Trent Landmarks #15 – Magistrates Court
Albert Village Lake, Leicestershire
On Thursday 19th May, I had a walk around Albert Village lake, a large nature reserve on the site of a former clay pit in the Leicestershire village of Albert Village, just a short walk over the Derbyshire border from Swadlincote. Albert Village grew in the 1870s as the clay mining and pottery industry in…… Continue reading Albert Village Lake, Leicestershire
East Midlands Ranger Area Station #66 – Langwith-Whaley Thorns
Before I start the blog post proper, I think a little explanation is in order regarding the name of the place I visited on a grey and slightly rainy Friday, 20th May 2022. Langwith is actually a collection of six small settlements; Langwith, Langwith Maltings, Nether Langwith, Upper Langwith, Langwith Bassett and Langwith Junction. Whaley…… Continue reading East Midlands Ranger Area Station #66 – Langwith-Whaley Thorns
Tameside Local Nature Reserve, Tamworth
On Wednesday 11th May, I took an evening train from Burton on Trent down the line to Tamworth for a walk around the Tameside Local Nature Reserve, around a 25 minute walk south of the railway station. After my evening train ride and walk a few weeks ago in Ambergate and Whatstandwell, I am hoping…… Continue reading Tameside Local Nature Reserve, Tamworth
Nottinghamshire Stations – Retford
I have to confess that, even though I like to think I know a bit about geography in the UK, and particularly the Midlands, I had never heard of Retford until I visited there on Thursday 12th May 2022. My mission to visit every railway station in Nottinghamshire took me to the market town in…… Continue reading Nottinghamshire Stations – Retford
Return to Whatstandwell and Ambergate, April 2022
On Tuesday 26th April 2022, I decided to go for an early evening train ride up to one of my favourite parts of the world, the Derwent Valley. Most of my travels happen during the daytime (or very early on a Saturday morning), when it’s less busy, but I always fancied an evening stroll along…… Continue reading Return to Whatstandwell and Ambergate, April 2022
East Midlands Ranger Area Station #65 – Melton Mowbray
On Monday 25th April, I visited Melton Mowbray at the third attempt. My first attempt in November was thwarted by the weather, my second in January was ended by a cancelled train, but there were no such problems this time, apart from another cancelled train. I was able to catch an earlier one, so it…… Continue reading East Midlands Ranger Area Station #65 – Melton Mowbray
Staffordshire Stations – Penkridge
On a very cold and very early Saturday morning, 8th April 2022, I travelled to the historic Staffordshire village of Penkridge, five miles from Stafford. I had to catch three trains to get there, changing at Tamworth and at Stafford. I left Burton on Trent at 06:20 and arrived at Penkridge less than an hour…… Continue reading Staffordshire Stations – Penkridge
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