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Hi,
I'm currently driving from Hilton to Long Eaton then getting the train into Central Notts.
Anyone know how far it is (and how long it'd take) along the canal from Sawley Marina?
and if there's any safe parking nearby to dump my car.
Thanks
It will be about 10 miles or so, towpath gradually improve from dirt track at the Sawley end to gravel to tarmac to paved by the time you get to Castle Marina in the city centre. How quickly can you cover a flat 10 miles - with two short walks through Cranfleet Lock and Beeston Marina (pop in the café and say hit to Tony, a great character)as they ask people not to cycle through there.
It's a lovely ride, lots of wildlife and birds, interesting boats and riverside huts/grand design projects, but very dark and isolated from Sawley to Beeston Marina, depending what time you will be riding in - and winter will soon be here. The river/path twist and turn so there is always a head wind at some point!
Not sure about parking at Sawley - if you come in a touch further I'd be tempted to try parking around near the turn for Trent Lock (residential streets near the junction, parking and toilets at the Trent Lock end.) Not sure how safe either would be for all day, especially going back to them in the evening though the pubs at Trent Lock are always busy.
I commute in from Ilkeston to Nottingham - on nice days if time allows I ride the Nutbrook Trail all the way through Long Eaton and pick up the river at Trent Lock, so I know it quite well now.
NB - a few times last year in the appalling weather the riverside paths were flooded from Sawley through to Cranfleet Lock
thanks for the info. 🙂
I might get down there on the weekend for an explore