BMC Midlands Area Walk | Sunday 30 March

BMC members are invited to join a social walk, hosted by BMC Midland Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Chris Sweetman guiding the route. This social walk will explore the legend of The Wise Men of Gotham and visit three points that are named after one of the most famous legends - The Cuckoo Bush. These include the site of the cuckoo bush which is
Booking a place
Secure your free place on the walk by following the link below.
Important Note: Places are limited. If you or someone in your party can no longer attend, please notify us immediately so we can offer the spot to someone else.
Location
Cuckoo Bush, South Nottingham
Meeting point and start time
Date: Sunday 30 March 2025
Time: 9.45 for a 10am start (Note the clocks go forward today!)
Location: East Leake Car Park, Gotham Road
Postcode: Location is 107 metres to the North NorthWest of LE12 6PG
OS Grid Ref: SK554263
Parking: In the car park which is free at the time of preparing this information - 23rd January 2025.
Facilities: Toilets are available across the road from the car park.
Public Transport: At time of writing NCT number 1 bus leaves Nottingham Beastmarket Hill at 9am and arrives at East Leake shops at 9.38am. Please alight at this stop as it is just across the road from the car park.
Your BMC walk leader
Chris, is a qualified Mountain Leader and the Hill Walking Rep.
The route
We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors. This social walk will explore the legend of The Wise Men of Gotham and visit three points that are named after one of the most famous legends - The Cuckoo Bush. These include the site of the cuckoo bush which is also a tumulus, a farm and a public house. Also, we will discuss why the village of Gotham has tried to twin with New York City in the good ole USA! From East Leake we gently ascend to Fox Hill and then onto West Leake and through woodland. Arriving at the ancient track of the Portway, which is over 3000 years old, we pass the first two cuckoo bushes and follow to the high ground to the NW of Gotham with extensive views of the River Trent. Then we descend into Gotham passing the third cuckoo bush. In the village centre we will stop for lunch with an option to visit The Star pub. From Gotham we take The Logan Trail, follow field paths, and Lantern Lane towards East Leake and the end of our walk. Please note that there is the possibility of sheep in some of the fields and if this is the case dogs must be on a lead.
Distance: Approx. 18.3 km (11.4 miles)
Ascent: 122m (400 ft)
Duration: Approximately 5 hours
BMC members will be asked to wear usual clothing appropriate for a day walking in the hills and bring their own food and drink for a full day.
What to bring
The terrain is over mildly undulating countryside in an English lowland area. Please ensure you are well-prepared with appropriate gear:
Footwear: Sturdy, water-resistant hiking boots or shoes with good traction.
Clothing: Dress in layers, including waterproofs, as conditions can vary; bring a hat and gloves for cooler areas and perhaps sun cream depending on the weather forecast.
Food and Drink: Bring enough food and water for a full day’s hike; there will be places to purchase refreshments en route in Gotham and there is an option of a pub stop.
Other Essentials: Although we plan to finish within daylight hours, carrying a small torch or head torch is advisable for emergencies.
Who can attend:
This walk is open to BMC members, accompanying friends and family, and anyone interested in BMC’s work, under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
All participants must book in advance.
Please do not attend if you have COVID-19 or are feeling unwell.
Health Considerations:
If you have health issues that might affect your ability to complete the walk safely, inform us in advance. Carry any necessary medications and inform the leader where they are located if needed.
BMC Participation Statement:
This is an approved BMC event.
The BMC recognizes that climbing, hill walking, and mountaineering are activities with inherent risks. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Questions?
Please contact walk leader: chrisonholiday@outlook.com
Related Content
Hill Walking Event Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social walk, hosted by BMC Peak Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Bev England guiding the route. This walk will explore Baslow Edge and Curbar Edge, returning alongside the River Derwent. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Hill Walking Event Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social walk, hosted by BMC Peak Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Mark Royall guiding the route. This social walk is part of the Staffordshire Moorlands Walking Festival and will begin in Gradbach, and circle around the hills and moorlands to the north.
Hill Walking Event Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social walk, hosted by BMC Peak Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Sarah Lister guiding the route. This walk will explore Baslow Edge and Curbar Edge, returning alongside the River Derwent. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Lakes Area Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social hike, hosted by BMC Lakes volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Rose Gare-Simmons guiding the route. This social walk will be a 13km circular route starting from Grasmere. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Hill Walking Event Walks
BMC members are invited to join a peer-led walk, hosted by BMC Peak Area volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Paul Justin guiding the route. This social walk will start from Hayfield and explore the western end of the Kinder Scout plateau. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Lakes Area Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social hike, hosted by BMC Lakes volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Rose Gare-Simmons guiding the route. This social walk will be a 13km circular route starting from Latrigg Car Park, North Lakes. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Lakes Area Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social hike, hosted by BMC Lakes volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Rose Gare-Simmons guiding the route. This social walk will be a 7km circular route starting from Tilberthwaite. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Lakes Area Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social hike, hosted by BMC Lakes volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Rose Gare-Simmons guiding the route. This social walk will be a 9km circular route starting from Langdale. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Lakes Area Walks
BMC members are invited to join a social hike, hosted by BMC Lakes volunteers, with local BMC volunteer Rose Gare-Simmons guiding the route. This social walk will be a 21km circular route starting from Kentmere. We’re excited to welcome you for a memorable day in the outdoors!
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Rock Climbing Skills
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Hillwalking Destinations
It's no easy feat, but with a little advice, organisation, knowledge and determination, climbing the Wainwrights is doable for almost anyone. This beginner-friendly guide aims to teach you about the fells and how to plan for and complete them.
Hill Walking Articles
Chris Townsend's top tips on getting the most out of a long-distance adventure, plus three week-long route ideas for beginners, offering a mix of nature, history, solitude and challenge.
Hillwalking Skills
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Hillwalking Skills
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Hillwalking Skills
Scrambling is sometimes described as the middle ground between walking and climbing - and for the higher grades in particular, you’ll need some basic climbing skills. Here's our guide to staying safe on the rock.
Hillwalking Skills
The mountains at night can be hazardous, but also wonderful. Here are a handful of helpful tips for exploring the dark side.
Hillwalking Skills
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
Article
Here are a few of the most gruelling, exhausting, rewarding and brilliant challenge walks Britain has to offer.
Hillwalking Destinations
Sarah Stirling lists five of the easiest Munros for beginner hikers to bag!
Hillwalking Gear
Friction blisters on the feet are a common and potentially serious complication of hiking or hillwalking and other outdoor activities. This guide explains how to prevent and treat blisters accordingly.
Article
We've totted up a few fun facts and some trail trivia about this iconic route, including some surprising statistics that are guaranteed to earn you points at the next pub quiz. Read on for everything you need to know about this pioneering path...
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Hill Walking
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Mountaineering Learn Gear
Do you carry a first aid kit in the mountains? We take a look at the essentials for any mountaineering first aid kit and how to use them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Mountains have always meant more to humanity than just lumps of rock. We take a look at five summits with mysterious, magical or mythological significance.
Hill Walking News
Many people will have visited the summit of Great Gable in the Lake District and looked at the bronze plaque close to the summit commemorating FRCC members killed in World War One. This plaque was unveiled 100 years ago this year, on 8 June 1924, so this year, the FRCC held a commemorative meet with members staying at their huts in Wasdale, Borrowdale and Buttermere. This was attended by the BMC’s Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Lakes Area Rep Ron Kenyon, who sent this fascinating report of the day’s events and the history of the plaque.
Hill Walking
It helps you cope at work, 'heals' your brain, makes you more creative and it could even be better for you than running. Here are six ways walking could be more powerful than you realise.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Hill Walking Articles
Planning outdoor adventures comes with lots of preparation and adding a period into the mix can be one more thing to think about. While not everyone will be up for a hike or a climb on their period, if you are preparing for your next trip in the good company of menstrual blood, here’s what to do.
Hill Walking Articles
When out for the day it is likely you will need to go to the toilet at some point. Whether it be for ones and twos or refreshing period products, we’ve got you covered with all you need to know to be prepared. Things can get tricky out there so we will run through the ideal options through to the less ideal, but sometimes necessary, options when it comes to toileting. Wherever you can try to focus on what will have the least impact and do as much as possible to leave no trace.
Hill Walking Articles
Menopause is a significant and transformative phase of life. It is a natural biological process during which ovulation stops and periods end. The experience of menopause can be different for each individual and often comes with a wave of physical and emotional changes. In this guide, we will explore the different phases of menopause, common symptoms, and the power of regular movement and exercise to manage symptoms and support good health.
Hill Walking Articles
Christine Cornock shares how she managed her period along the South West Coastal Path multi-day hike.
Hillwalking Skills
Hill walking in winter covers a spectrum of difficulty and technicality, take a look at winter walking options, and what you’ll need to consider when choosing a route.
Hillwalking Qualification Training
Whether you want a career in the outdoors, or to improve your own personal skills, there are a number of training providers offering courses and instruction.
Hillwalking Gear
This article helps you decide what sort of crampons are suitable for your winter walk, or whether micro-spikes could be an option, as well as discussing the compatibility of crampons to walking boots.
Hillwalking Skills
A look at some of the benefits of poles and how to use them for hill walking.
Hillwalking Gear
Walking boots can be expensive and should last a long time, so this article looks at factors to consider before you buy.
Hillwalking Gear
Points to consider if you're wondering ‘Do I need crampons for walking in winter?’
Hillwalking Skills
Being able to read a map and find your way around the hills is an essential skill for all hill walkers, and practice is the real key.
Hillwalking Gear
A look at types of small, lightweight stoves suitable for hill walking and backpacking trips.
Article
What should you look for when choosing down products? Some factors to consider when investing in new down gear.
Hillwalking Skills
If you’ve enjoyed walking in summer and want to continue through the winter, here are ten things you need to know before you go.
Hill Walking Articles
Clean out your kit cupboard and put a spring in your step knowing that you’re making greener choices throughout the lifecycle of your outdoor products.
Hillwalking Gear
Hill walking doesn’t require as much specialist equipment as many other outdoor activities, but is important to have the appropriate equipment for the route and activity you have chosen and the weather forecasted. In this article we outline the basic equipment every hill walker needs:
Hillwalking Gear
In this article we’ve listed the ideal range of hill walking items so you can head out with everything you might need.