Go past the pub and over the white and green bridge. You'll see a sign leading towards the canal towpath. Follow it.

Walk straight on for about fifty yards. You'll come to a fenced off area and to your left you'll see a tunnel and overgrown vegetation. This is Tinker's Leen, an overspill from the River Leen.

It might look like an infilling bog but it's home to Himalayan Balsam, an invasive plant that's fast becoming dominant in this country. The seed pods explode shooting them over long distances. This, together with being carried by the wind, ensures the spread of the plant. You'll also notice Forget-me-nots and Skullcap (getting rare), ivy leafed snapdragons and Burr weed.

Tinker's Leen

The canal is also home to a range of wildlife. Heron, kingfishers, grey and pied wagtails, moor hens can all be seen (if you're lucky). There are also fish although you can't really appreciate what can be seen because of the discoloured canal water.

Underneath the canal bridges you'll see plenty of evidence of pigeons. Mind you don't slip on their droppings.

Many years ago there would have been cracked willow trees all along the canal. All villages used to have willow beds because the wood was used for basket making. It was the only carrying facility of its time - there were no plastic or woven bags to carry your groceries in. The willow was a quick growing tree and a one year old tree could be used for wicker work.

Beware the pigeons nesting beneath the canal bridges

This was a key industry right up until World War Two. Nottinghamshire grew some of the finest willow in the country. It was so good that Queen Victoria came to Nottingham for her baskets. William Scaling, a Basford willow crafter, was the man who had the royal seal of approval.

One other form of vegetation to look out for is angelica that grows by the canal.

Today the canal is mainly used by pleasure and narrow boats but it was once the primary means of transportation, especially of coal and cereals.

Unloading devices can still be seen by the canal side

Where there are now pubs and nightclubs you can still see evidence of unloading cranes. It wasn't the safest of professions. On the Carrington Street stretch of the canal there was once a huge explosion when a barge full of dynamite ignited.

The rule of the canal was short lived. Their heyday lasted only around 100 years because once the railways took off the canals were quickly forgotten.