Our first walk of 2026 began on a very cold but sunny January day from the car park at Creswell Crags where Steve and Victoria stopped to stroke a horse. We are used to seeing signs asking people not to feed the horses, but were surprised by one stating “Feeding can cause fighting which will result in the death of a horse”. Avoiding a pile of fresh horse manure we stepped out on a wide path and within minutes arrived at Creswell Crags, an important, prehistoric, archaeological site.
Most of these limestone caves were shuttered off by iron grilles but stone tools and remains of animals found in them provided evidence of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. In 2003, rock art (not the musical kind) was discovered and this is shown in the Cave Art to Contemporary Art Walking Trail. Perhaps something to explore at a later date. Hundreds of Apotropaic (witches marks), believed to be from the 17th century – 18th century were found on the cave surfaces in 2018. They were thought to prevent evil spirits coming from the underworld.
We turned right, away from the river and climbed a stony, dry, uphill path to a grassy area affording wonderful views of Creswell and the surrounding countryside. We passed a field of harvested maize and one of winter barley and on our left, a solar farm. We negotiated two metal gates and down a path bordered by fields to the main road of Holbeck. A big wooden sign announced St Winifred’s Church, Grade II listed, which had a beautiful wrought iron gate set in a stone archway.
St. Winifred (Winefride) was a Welsh martyr who was beheaded but brought back to life by a holy monk named Beuno. The healing spring at that spot is now a shrine and a pilgrimage site called St. Winefride’s Well in Holywell, Flintshire known as the “Lourdes of Wales” and was granted the status of National Shrine for England & Wales in November 2023. She died and was buried in an abbey in Gwytherin.
We walked down a road lined with lime trees and noticed daffodil leaves pushing through the rough grass underneath. At the A60, Mansfield to Worksop road, we turned left and walked for half a mile with the noise of traffic beside us.
We were soon on part of the Harley Art Trail where two local artists, Michelle Reader and Martin Smith, had installed metal trees, among the natural trees. These metal trees were to show architectural art in the landscape and had different shaped leaves, triangles, circles etc. We also came across boards stating that we were “Going on a Bear Hunt”, the first asking what was the sound of cold water in a river, the second the sound of oozing mud and the third, a snowstorm. Julie entered into the spirit of this children’s game with enthusiasm.
Just before arriving at the car we passed a stone memorial to five Canadian Aircrew of a Wellington Bomber which had crashed nearby. Their ages ranged from 19 – 32 years. A sobering thought after a delightful, engaging stroll on a brisk winter’s day.
Our next walk will be on Sunday 1st February, meeting at 12pm outside the church gates. Does anyone wish to join us?
See the contact names and numbers on the back page of the magazine.
Evelyn Lowe