Local Society: Grantham Canal Restoration Trust

Grid Ref: SK678355 (post code NG12 3BA) here

Nearest A&E: Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital (Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH; 0115 9249924)

Accom details: 1 main hall, fairly large back room, large kitchen with catering size electric cooker, 3 showers (split 2+1); reasonable parking, though also used by visitors to adjacent playing field/play ground

Nearest Showers: in accom

Nearest Supermarket: Morrisons, Gamston, Nottingham here

Nearest Pharmacy: Cotgrave

Nearest Station: Bingham (train)

Nearest Petrol Station: junction with A46

Nearest Pub: 2 in village; recommend The Chequers, slightly further away, but larger and with pool table

Nearest Chippy: ?

Nearest Cinema: Nottingham

Nearest Swimming Pool: probably Nottingham (perhaps Cotgrave?)

Evening Entertainment: all the delights of Nottingham, including ice skating at the National Ice Centre, next door to AMF Bowling, Belward Street, NG1 1JZ (0845 658 1277); larger bowling centre with much easier parking at Megabowl, Redfield Way, NG7 2UW (0115 985 0820), which is itself next door to Showcase Cinemas (0871 220 1000); also c.5 miles to The Marquis of Granby, here, an outstanding real ale (and proper cider!) pub; local contact, Colin, is a campologist, and is happy to show off the village church bells (a lot more fun than it sounds!); rumours of a go-kart track on a disused airfield nearby.

Other useful info: good hardware shop in Bingham; CoOp and post office in village (opposite The Chequers); Cropwell Bishop is home of Stilton cheese – local arrangements for a good deal may be made!

Harri Thomsett (August 2005)