Ride Finish: Rosliston Forestry Centre
Ride Length: 12.8 miles
Approximate time:
Link to GPS of ride: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2965229
Brief Description:
Ride 6 once again uses Rosliston Forestry Centre as a start and finishing point. This time the ride turns towards Walton on Trent using quiet country lanes before heading past Catton Hall into Staffordshire to the National Memorial Arboretum. The return journey diverts past Walton and into Rosliston via Lads Grave.
As both Rosliston Forestry Centre and the National Memorial Arboretum have parking facilities, either could be used as a start point. Although the National Memorial Arboretum is not in South Derbyshire it is extremely well worth including in the rides due to its proximity.
Key points on Route
Rosliston Forestry Centre
Rosliston Forestry Centre is an ideal place to start a ride as it has parking available (for a small charge of approx. £2 all day) as well as toilets and a café. There are many trails within the forestry centre and cycle hire is normally available. Other activities include falconry and archery.
For more information, please click on this link:
www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk
Ride directions:
Leave Rosliston Forestry Centre by turning left onto Burton Road and then turn right after 1/4mile signposted Walton. Follow the meandering road all the way into Walton until the junction at the White Swan pub (2 miles).
Cross the staggered junction into Station Lane and St Laurence's Church is on the right hand side.
Walton-on-Trent, St Laurence Church
Walton on Trent is a small village on the banks of the Trent with the Church and cricket club having a significant place within the village. The village has the locally famous bailey bridge which links Walton with Barton under Needwood and is one of few local crossings of the Trent. A new bridge is under construction and the bailey bridge will soon be used as a bridleway.
Details are shown below for St Laurence Church and the memorial outside the church.
http://www.derbyshirechurches.org.uk/church/walton-trent-st-laurence
http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/world-war-and-commemorative-memorials/p80485-walton-on-trent-war-memorial-2c-derbyshire.html
Ride directions:
On leaving the church turn left then turn right at the junction. Follow this road all the way outside of Walton. After the tree lined exit from Walton the road opens out towards Catton Hall (approx. 2.5 miles).
Catton Hall
Although there is no specific memorial at Catton Hall, it is a point of interest on this ride. Its quiet location between Walton and Alrewas is fairly isolated and gives the ride a feature. Catton Hall plays host to a number of big events including Cross Country Championships and Music Festivals, including Bloodstock. The area certainly looks different with 5000 people camping!
A link to Catton Hall itself can be found below:
http://www.catton-hall.com/index.php?page=group-tours
Ride directions:
Carry on along the same road until its junction with the A513 Tamworth Road. (approx. 1 mile) Turn right and head under the railway bridge. Thus is quite a busy road so care must be taken and is not recommended for youngsters. The road crosses the River Tame then at the roundabout after half a mile turn right and follow the road to the Arboretum.
National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas
The National Memorial Arboretum is the national site for remembrance and has many memorials. The range of memorials is immense and includes all aspects of the military but also Police, Fire Services and RNLI to name just a few.
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| Entrance to the National Memorial Arboretum |
Based on land formerly used as gravel pits, the land has been landscaped significantly since it opened in 2001.
There is no entry charge as such other than parking but donations are requested. There are cafes and a gift shop and staff to assist. It is worth giving half a day at least to see most of the memorials due to the vast scale.
Amongst the many memorials is the Shot at Dawn memorial which is tribute to those who were shot for desertion; many of them teenagers. It is said that this area is quieter than most areas with a lack of birdsong in the area.
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| Memorial relating to the Berlin Airlift outside the Arboretum |
http://www.thenma.org.uk/
Ride directions:
Turn left outside the arboretum at the roundabout and follow the A513 under the railway bridge then turn left back towards Catton Hall. After Catton Hall at the first significant left bend there is a road back to Rosliston (approx. 3 miles from the Arboretum). Take this right turn and follow this road for 1 1/2 miles until the crossroads at Coton Road and the junction known as Lads Grave.
Lads Grave
The below link tells the rather dark story behind the Lads Grave junction. Following the comments on the Shot at Dawn memorial, it is an appropriate place to pass.
http://www.landshapes.org/index.php?fuseaction=viewreference.main&reference=89F89A45&from=catexp&browseby=lsphzone&lshpzone=3&page_no=5
Ride directions:
Cross Coton Road onto Coton Lane towards Rosliston. On arrival into the village bear left at the junction to follow Burton Road back to the Forestry Centre on the right hand side 1 1/12 miles after Lads Grave.
Places to eat / drink
Rosliston Forestry Centre, White Swan (Walton), Café at National Memorial Arboretum, Bulls Head (Rosliston).
Shops
Rosliston Forestry Centre, National Memorial Arboretum, Co-op (Rosliston),
National Cycle Network (NCN) on this ride
There are no sections of NCN on this ride. However NCN54 is a short ride away from the Arboretum at Alrewas. NCN54 links Birmingham with Derby via Lichfield, Barton, Buton and Hilton.
Toilets (not including pubs)
Rosliston Forestry Centre, National Memorial Arboretum.
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