Ride start: Sharpes Pottery Museum, Swadlincote
Ride Finish: Sharpes Pottery Museum
Ride Length: 15.4 miles (full length)
Approximate time:
Link to GPS of ride:
Full Length: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5809998
Option 2 (Misses Smisby and Bretby): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5810153
Brief Description:
This is a good mix of urban and rural South Derbyshire and includes a number of different memorials. The ride passes through some of the districts parks and passes some of the key symbols of the industrial heritage of the area. The ride also passes through parts of North West Leicestershire.
Key points on Route
Sharpes Pottery Museum
Based at one of the areas many potteries, Sharps Pottery Museum has been opened for 10 years and is a free Museum with exhibits relating to the pottery history of the area.
The Museum has a café and is also home to the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) as well as The Magic Attic who are a group of volunteers who research local history and have produced many interesting publications.
The nearest Car Park to Sharpes Pottery is on Alexandra Road approx. 100 yards away. All council car parks in South Derbyshire are free, though check for time restrictions.
Ride Directions:
On leaving the Pottery, as West Street is a one way street, it is best to head onto Grove Street then turn right at Richardsons furniture shop towards the Delph. Technically cyclists should dismount on the Delph and in the High Street area, though the latter is a point of contention.
At this point cross the Delph towards Greggs and the signs for NCN63 will take you away from the High Street towards Rink Passage but then turn onto a path around the back of the Cinema onto Highfield Road then right onto Hastings Road before turning left onto Church Avenue leading onto Wilmot Road. At the junction of York Road, carefully proceed straight ahead and directly into Maurice Lea Park.
Church Gresley - Maurice Lea Park
Maurice Lea Memorial Park is a key community focal point in Church Gresley and has attained Green Flag Status for several years. The park itself is a memorial to Maurice Lea, who was killed in France During World War 1 and was presented to the district by his father Herbert Lea.
For more information about the park, please see the link below:
http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/leisure_culture_and_tourism/parks
Ride Directions:
Take the first path on the left hand side and follow it around the perimeter and leave by the gate at the far end on Coppice Side. Carefully cross the road and head right towards the roundabout.
Go Straight ahead at the roundabout and head past the American Diner into Albert Village. At the first junction on the left hand side is the war memorial.
Albert Village War Memorial
Although not in South Derbyshire, Albert Village provides a sensible location for the route to take on the way to Woodville. The war memorial is worth visiting and is at the junction where the route turns towards Woodville.
http://www.midlandsheritage.co.uk/war-memorials/2189-leicestershire-village-albert-village.html
Ride Directions:
Follow Occupation Lane from Albert Village towards Woodville. At the roundabout go straight on (cycles can go through this road) continuing on Occupation Lane. Bear Left onto Moira Road and continue for 1/4 of a mile until St Stephens Church is on the left hand side.
Woodville - St Stephens Church
Information on St Stephens Church can be found on the link below. The memorial is inside the church so it may be necessary to contact prior to visiting.
http://www.christtheredeemer.org.uk/?page_id=32
Ride Directions:
Turn right back onto Moira Road and follow it back until the junction with Belvedere Road. Follow Belvedere Road to the end then turn right onto High Street. The memorial garden is on the right hand side after around 200 yards. The Methodist Church is a little further back.
Due to the busy nature of Woodville High Street, it would be worth dismounting and walking along the pavement from Belvedere Road to the memorials, especially if cycling with inexperienced cyclists.
Woodville High Street Memorial Garden & Methodist Church
The memorial garden was dedicated in 2006 following a campaign by local groups including the Royal British Legion and provides a nice place for reflection set back from the busy main street. Both of the memorials are outside and therefore accessible.
_http://derbyshirewarmemorials.wikispaces.com/Woodville
http://derbyshirewarmemorials.wikispaces.com/Woodville+Methodist+Church
http://www.woodville.org.uk/page5.html
Ride Directions:
To take the full length route, follow the High Street to the right and follow this as it becomes Ashby Road for just over 1 1/4 miles until the roundabout at the top of the Ashby bypass. Take the 2nd exit to follow the old Ashby Road.
It may be safer to cross the road near Heath Lane and avoid the roundabout by using the footpath.
After 1/2 mile take a left into Anwell Lane and follow this over the bypass for just under 1 mile until the junction of Main Street and Forties Lane in Smisby. The war memorial is on the triangle of land here outside the church.
* To follow option 2 (missing Smisby), turn left back down High Street until the Clock Island Roundabout, then take the 4th exit to turn right and take the A514 towards Hartshorne.
Due to the busy nature of the Clock Island, it may be worth crossing onto the pavement and avoiding the roundabout and crossing Hartshorne Road before proceeding. Follow Hartshorne Road into Hartshorne. After the bend with the Bulls Head pub, take a right into Church Street and St Peters Church.
St James Church Smisby,
The village of Smisby is a little isolated from some of the other villages in the area and is more closely associated with Ashby rather than South Derbyshire by some. It is, however a very pleasant village and well worth a visit, as is the church.
http://www.derbyshirechurches.org.uk/church/smisby-st-james
There is a memorial inside the church grounds as well as on the roadside and both are accessible.
http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/world-war-and-commemorative-memorials/p80366-smisby-war-memorial-derbyshire.html
Ride Directions:
Continue onto Forties Lane for 1/2 mile until the junction with Heath Lane. Turn Left and follow Heath Lane for around 3/4 mile until the Y junction near the water tower. Take the fight fork onto Manchester Lane and follow this for 1 1/4 miles into Hartshorne and the junction with the A514 Woodville Road. Carefully cross the road into Main Street then take the first right into Church Street and St Peters Church.
St Peters' Church, Hartshorne,
http://hartshorne.org.uk/
http://hartshornechurch.org.uk/
http://derbyshirewarmemorials.wikispaces.com/Hartshorne
Ride Directions:
Turn right back onto Main Street and follow it until the junction with Repton Road by the Admiral Rodney Pub and bear left here. Follow Repton Road for 2 miles as it meanders through quiet countryside (although the road itself is not always quiet). At the junction with Watery Lane (signposted Bretby) turn left.
After a further mile the road turns sharp left into Bretby village and the village green and church are situated on the right hand side.
* To follow option 2 (avoiding Bretby) turn right back onto Main Street and follow it until the junction with Repton Road by the Admiral Rodney Pub and bear left here. Follow Repton Road through Hartshorne for just over half a mile and take a left onto Dunsmoor Lane. Follow this until its end and turn left onto Sandcliffe Road. Follow Sandcliffe Road to the Traffic lights and go straight on onto Midway Road. Take the first right onto Tennyson Avenue and follow until it's end at Eastfield Road.
Turn right onto Springfield Road and cycle uphill then take the 2nd left into Chestnut Avenue. Follow Chestnut Avenue until it becomes Wellwood Road and follow Wellwood Road until its junction with Newhall High Street. Turn left onto the high Street then turn right after 100 yards into Church Road and St Johns' Church
Bretby - near St Wystans Church
As the link below shows, the main memorial is located on the green. Further work needs to be done to research the memorial inside the church.
http://derbyshirewarmemorials.wikispaces.com/Bretby
Ride Directions:
Turn right back onto Watery Lane and follow it for 1/4 mile until the junction with Geary Lane. Turn left and follow Geary Lane past the Crematorium and until the junction with the A511. Carefully cross the A511 and take Thorn Tree Lane (the track staggered across the A511 approx. 100 yards to the left of the Premier Inn at the Stanhope Inn).
Follow Thorn Tree Lane for 3/4 mile and bear onto Rose Tree Lane then take a right turn onto Bretby Road in Newhall then follow Bretby Road to the roundabout at the Freehold Tavern and Old Post Centre.
Take a right at the roundabout onto High Street and follow this for 1/2 mile. Church Road is on the right hand side opposite the Labour Club. Turn right here into
Newhall - Roadside
The exact location of this memorial needs to be verified. Update to follow.
Newhall - St John's Church
As well as a number of services in the link below, St Johns Church offers a good view over Swadlincote and Church Gresley including the new Golf Course. The memorial is inside the church so may need prior arrangement.
http://www.derbyshirechurches.org.uk/church/newhall-st-john
Ride Directions:
Follow Church Road back to the High Street and turn right. Follow the High Street for 1/2 mile until the roundabout at the bottom of Springfield Road. Go straight on onto Newhall Road but take the first right into John Street.
Follow John Street on the outer edge of Eureka Park past the ATC headquarters until the junction with Midland Road next to the garage. Slightly to the right are the memorial gates of Eureka Park.
Eureka Park - Memorial Gates
The gates of Eureka Park are the location for the main South Derbyshire Remembrance Parade. The park itself is currently undergoing a revamp following a significant grant via the Heritage Lottery fund. The link below gives more information about the park.
http://www.south-derbys.gov.uk/leisure_culture_and_tourism/parks_and_outdoor_recreation/eurekapark/default.asp
Ride Directions:
Follow the main path through the park, passing the tennis courts and the newly refurbished sundial. Take the second path on the right towards the gate next to the Railway Inn and leave the park. Turn right outside the park onto Midway Road and follow this until the car park for Emmanuel Church, opposite the Angel pub.
Emmanuel Church
Close to the heart of Swadlincote is Emmanuel Church and the church includes a memorial window. For more details about the church and its numerous activities in the community, please see the link below.
http://emmanuelswad.wordpress.com/
Ride Directions:
Due to the High Street being a no cycling zone, the return to Sharpes Pottery needs to be on Civic Way. Turn left back onto Midway Road then take a right at the roundabout onto Civic Way. Turn left onto Belmont Street back up to the High Street and Delph area which should be done on foot. Re-mount and cycle down West Street to Sharpes Pottery.
Places to eat & drink
Numerous in Swadlincote. Sharpes Pottery cafe, Sir Nigel Gresley, Tall Chimney all on the route. Mushroom Hall (Albert Village), Numerous places on Woodville High Street. Smisby Arms (Smisby), Bulls Heat & Admiral Rodney (Hartshorne) with Mill Wheel just off route. Stanhope Arms (A511 nr Bretby), Thorn Tree Inn, Freehold Tavern, Parkside Café - inside the Old Post Centre, The Anchor (Newhall), The Railway Inn, The Angel, Moza HQ (Swadlincote)
National Cycle Network on this ride
NCN63 features at the start of the ride until Maurice Lea Park.
Other facilities (toilets)
Generally only at the places to eat and drink as well as at Eureka and Maurice Lea parks.
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