Worksop.

We walked down the tow path back to the town and visited the Priory Shopping Centre and then walked to the library to find the Tourist Information. There we found a leaflet that took you round the town.

Macy, our cat, just surveying the world.

The walk led us to the Priory Church of St Cuthbert. It was an Augustinian Priory until Henry VIII got his oar in. It was started in 1103. After it was closed it was really only used for burials and the actually buildings diminished as the stones were robbed. It wasn't until 1847 when the vicar raised money to start the restoration. The Lady Chapel was restored in 1929 and 1935 the North Transept was added and the east end and tower were added. It all made for a mix of old and new that had a special atmosphere.

Looking to the new tower and east of the Priory Church of St Cuthbert in Worksop.

When the church was a Priory they built a gatehouse in 1314 as guest accommodation where free board and lodging could be had for a maximum of three days/

Worksop Priory Gatehouse. The small chapel to the right of Helen is the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin. It was built so that pilgrims could enter by the door you can see, kneel and say a prayer and leave by a door opposite, on a way way system, and is the only one left in England.

Worksop was well known as place for Liquorice growing until the mid 1700's. Liquorice was used as a sweetener until sugar started coming in large quantities fro the West Indies. Liquorice is Greek for 'Sweet Root' and  we love it. We bought some liquorice and blackcurrant toffees to mark the fact of being in Worksop!

There is still the motte of the original castle of Worksop. The bailey has been built over by a car park. It had all but disappeared by 1540's.

The walk ended at the railway station which opened in 1849. It looks very non station, unlike those built these days. The pub where we were heading for the beer festival in under the pub sign.

Worksop Station and Mallard Pub.

The Mallard Pub has a small room upstairs for the start of the day. The majority of the beers were down in the cellar bar that only opened later in the evening so the staff had to traipse up and down. There were all types in the select few who were present, but all were friendly and a good banter was had.  Several obviously seemed to travel around the region going to beer  festivals and it seemed that they were ticking off each beer on their list. There were locals who were just tasting and there were even other brewers and publicans socialising. There was a beer from Brough, Crystal Brewing that was nice and citrusy. I had never heard of the brewery before. I think my favourite beer of the ten I tried was Wood Street from Sheffield which had a honey taste with a hint of citrus afterwards. The landlord also brews his own beer which I never tried so we will have to go back on the way down.

By the time we had walked back to the boat we decided to go to the pub next door to our mooring and have the two meals for £10 deal. Lasgne and curry with extra sweet potato chips. Tomorrow we start up the locks to the summit, but only as far as Shireoaks.