Chesterfield Canal

I think I did this on a ride planned by a friend. She's Belgian, so before we got to the canal itself we were sliding through some very thick mud in some waterlogged fields for a bit but from memory the canal ranged from well surfaced towpath to rough (for gravel) narrow singletrack as we got closer to Worksop. All rideable but some bits clogged my (sks edge al) mudguards a bit. We peeled off it and had lunch in Retford then returned via a long bridleway towards Clumber Park which I enjoyed a bit more.

I've done Retford to West Stockwith (not Gainsborough) where it meets the Trent, all fairly mundane towpath stuff, mix of surfaces or just plain grass. It meanders a fair bit to follow the contours so you don't get sweeping vistas, but nice enough. Pubs and cafes along the way. I think I did Doncaster to Retford on road to pick it up, then from the Trent up through the Isle of Axholme to Epworth and back across to Wroot and back to town.

Chesterfield to Rother Valley Country Park is very pleasant, cafe at Hollingwood and also Rother Valley. Parking available at Avenue Country Park in Wingerworth and follow the trails and cycle ways to the railway station and start to the right of Kimberley Caravans  (Tapton Terrace, Holbeck Close). Route to the Station - down the valley, over the dam and turn left. At the bottom (Storforth Lane) left under bridge then right along Rother wetlands. Onto A61 shared footpath then skirt to the right of B n Q then follow cycle path West then turn right to the station.
kingfishers to be spotted along the whole route!

I live within spitting distance. A lot of it is just bumpy footpath and not actually great for bikes.  A long distance walking track called the cuckoo way sits on top of it too. Towards Retford it's sort of bikeable and nice views but not much fun as it's just grassy.

But you can certainly make it work but can't imagine it would be much fun on a gravel bike.

I'd take the Trent Valley way to Gainsborough by gravel - through Osberton/Scofton at Worksop then to Hayton/Clarborough much better and a long gravel track through Lound and beyond - which in essence follows the Canal. Super fast on gravel bridleways.

If you want a drop in at Worksop let me know!

If you want a guide through it all I'd be happy to join you after Rother Valley somewhere and weave you the best route.

Also, as a much less crowded day out than the Peak District trails with equally good views, suitable for gravel or shopping bikes - The Five Pits trails that can be linked with the Teversal and Rowthorne trails and the trails across to the Peter Fidler reserve at Bowzer where much money has been spent on traffic free trails back towards Chesterfield and Staveley…

Five pits is a good shout and you can make a hell of a loop form 5 pits across to Sutton-in-Ashfield to Rainworth (train track )then Sherwood Pines and back to Clumber/Worksop/Chesterfield.

I've done it - about 80miles I think.

Paul at Velotastic (Chesterfield), has this route mapped out.

(I have not ridden it, so make no claims about its suitability for your needs).

https://velotastic.co.uk/clumber-rumble/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=hotn%20nudge&utm_medium=email

That's decent route too. Following the B/W up through Welbeck estate to Clumber it's quite a long one (and climbs Drinking Pit Lane.)

Welbeck Farmshop and Cafe put out nice food (but not cheap). There's a cafe at Creswell Crags and several in Clumber.

That route will be fine for Gravel.

Ooh this would be a journey back in time for me. I went to Grammar School in Worksop, cross country run was through Clumber. Me and mates used to fish on the Chesterfield Canal. Used to visit relatives in Cresswell.

I've ridden from West Yorkshire down to Donington and used the trail from Beighton near Sheffield past Rother Valley and down to Chesterfield then onto 5 Pits. Its a nice ride on a decent surface. Its a shame there isn't a decent off road route from the end of the 5 Pits down towards Derby to link up with Cloud Trail as that would take me rght down towards Leicestershire/Warwickshire where I have family.

Ooh this would be a journey back in time for me. I went to Grammar School in Worksop, cross country run was through Clumber. Me and mates used to fish on the Chesterfield Canal. Used to visit relatives in Cresswell.

Ha ha - they still do the Dorm run .. does that ring any bells?

My partner works there although it's never been a Grammar School as far as I know. Just an old fashioned independent School.

Worksop has excellent off-road riding really and many forests. Off-road to Sherwood Pines etc.

@rone - It was the Winifred Portland on Sparken Hill which was a Grammar when I started there in 1965 and became a Comprehensive as I entered the 6th form merging with a Secondary Modern at the bottom end of the campus. Cross country runs used to take us into Clumber and back.

The Henry Hartland Grammar School was next door (we did metalwork, they did latin).