Beeston to Belvoir and Bingham Circular Cycle Route


Cycle Route Details
Route NameBeeston to Belvoir and Bingham Circular
Distance(miles)51.35
Duration(hh:mm)05:06
Difficulty4/10
Cycle Route Location
CountryEngland
Town/CityNottingham
County/RegionNottinghamshire
Start LocationRailway Station, Station Road, Beeston
End LocationRailway Station, Station Road, Beestonton
Cycle Steps
1. This is a fairly straightforward mixed route of roads, canal towpaths, and NCN cycle routes, which I really enjoyed. The point had been to follow the Grantham Canal, but part of the towpath was closed, between Locks 10 & 11 I believe! This is related to the A46 widening. So I have followed the canal as far as I could, and then gone by road after that to Belvoir, then come back via NCN route 15. Start from the railway bridge at Beeston (obviously adapt route as necessary for your starting point). 1. Follow signs for route 6 towards University/City Centre. 2. From Grace Avenue, the route goes down an alleyway by GS Precision, which isn't obvious, - looks like a dead end, but trust me, if you turn right towards GS Precision you will see the alley. 3. Leave route 6 at the signpost for Hillside/QMC, at the bike bridge on Abbey Street. Use toucan crossing slightly further down and turn onto Priory Street. There are signposts telling you where to go. 4. After passing the Red Cow pub, rejoin road and continue on over railway bridge. Follow signs for Meadows/West Bridgford. This will take you through a nature reserve by the NG2 business park. 5. At the end of the straight that runs between the business park & stream, bear right to junction. Follow signs for West Bridgford/Meadows. 6. Once through Meadows take the Toll Bridge over. 7. I went through West Bridgford town centre because I needed a cash machine, you don't have to do this. If you choose to, take Sandringham Avenue and follow signs to W. Bridgford town centre. 8. The junction in West Bridgford to head onto Gordon Road is a bit odd but easy to correct if you go wrong. It's signposted anyway. 9. At end of Eltham Road take the canal. 10. Canal brings you up by Gamston, where someone has thoughtfully ripped the signpost down. I got mightily confused. When it brings you up at the road (Gamston Community Centre to your right, The Goose pub over to your right too), turn left and join the road, effectively double backing on yourself. After a minute or two you will see signposts. 11. Follow signs to Grantham Canal. 12. Follow canal as far as you can. The towpath is currently closed (12th July 2009 for at least 12 months) just east of Cotgrave. When you are brought up onto the road, turn right and head to junction with A46, which has signs for Newark (left) and Leicester (right). Ignore these and go straight ahead. 13. Follow roads as signposted through Cropwell Bishop, Langar, Barnstone, Granby, Plungar, Redmile, Belvoir. 14. At Belvoir Castle follow road as it bears left to Woolsthorpe by Belvoir. 15. Turn left at Sedgbrook Lane. After a while you will see a sign for NCN route 15 heading down to the Dirty Duck pub. 16. Go over canal bridge, turn right onto the canal. After a minute or two turn left to go up onto route 15 which goes through a wooded area over a bridge. 17. NCN 15 is signposted up a lane taking you to a junction with the A52. Here all signs stop!! 18. At gated end, by A52, cross A52 VERY CAREFULLY and go straight over. On the other side go left, through a gate and in a straight line. 19. Follow signs for Bottesford village centre. 20. At Bottesford follow signs for Nottingham, then Orston. 21. Signs for NCN 15 begin appearing again at Orston. Follow signs for Bingham. 22. On leaving at Aslockton, there is no sign for Bingham. Do not go straight on for Whatton (it will only say 'Whatton' on the sign), instead turn right onto Grantham Road. Towards the end, a cycle lane emerges on the right-hand pavement. Join this and just keep following. 23. Everything pretty much signposted from here! 24. On leaving Radcliffe-on-Trent, follow sign for Nottingham via Holme Pierrepoint. 25. Shortly after the National Water Sports Centre, follow sign for Riverside Path. 26. Follow Riverside Path back to Victoria Embankment and eventually back the way you came.
Landmarks/Sites to see?
I stopped for a drink at the Dirty Duck in Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, as my halfway point pitstop. It was... all right! Functional, but not friendly. There are nicer places en route but this was my halfway point.

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