A Shortlist Of The Best Locations For Walks And Rides In North Notts
The following is a list of the best open spaces for walking and riding, noted for their natural beauty, historical significance and wildlife.
Our local Nottinghamshire County Council is our main source of information where you will find additional details, or you can simply search google maps for the locations which are marked on the map below.
Organised horse riding is available from Coloured Cob Equestrian Centre in Creswell, Derbyshire Pony Trekking in Upper Langwith, Mansfield, and our local Sherwood Forest Trekking Centre in Mill Lane, Edwinstowe NG219QY
See also Parks and Cycling Routes.
Cockglode and Rotary Woods
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Fantastic views of the surrounding Sherwood landscape
- Ancient woodland pre-dating the Royal Hunting Forest
- Exotic trees and shrubs
- Habitat attracts butterflies, insects and ground-nesting birds
- Views of Broughton Pumping Station, Sherwood Forest Country Park and St Mary’s Church
Dob Park
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- 20 hectare site just off the Hucknall bypass (A611), with spectacular scenery
- The extensive woodland and stream attracts wildlife and wetland creatures, including the protected Water Shrew (neomys fodiens) and a wide range of bird species
- Various paths suitable for walking and cycling with access to the wider countryside
Daneshill Lakes
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Suitable for people with restricted mobility and pushchairs
- Former Ranskill Royal Ordnance Factory site dominated by three lakes
- Network of footpaths for easy exploration
- Habitat attracts willow warbler, whitethroat and blackcap in summer, siskin and goldcrest in winter
- Populated with butterflies attracted to the many wildflowers including brimstone, common blue, meadow brown, gatekeeper and ringlet
Freckland Wood
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Beautiful area of woodland and open grassland with stunning views of the surrounding areas
- Grasslands host a diverse range of fine grasses and plants including knapweed, St John’s wort, birdsfoot trefoil, wild carrot and orchid
- Habitat attracts a variety of birds including skylark, green woodpecker, jay, magpie, blackbird, song thrush, kestrel and buzzard
- Almost 2km of pathways which link to the Linby Trail and on to to the Linby Ranges for longer walks
Manton Pit Wood
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Woodland and grasslands to the south east of Worksop on the restored colliery spoil heaps of the former Manton Colliery
- A mixture of coniferous and native broadleaf woodland and emerging lowland heath
- Network of surfaced tracks suitable for cycling and walking with off road links to the Chesterfield Canal, Clumber Park and National Cycle Route No 6
- Habitats attract Kestrel, buzzard and Green Woodpecker. In the summer you may spot many types of butterfly and wildflowers including orchids
- Views over Clumber and Worksop
Rainworth Water
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Once part of the Rufford Colliery, this restoration is now an established and valuable wetland habitat consisting of pools, shallows and meanders, creating a natural and peaceful wilderness
- Habitat attracts dragonflies, damselflies and dingy skipper butterflies
- A showcase for restoration, this has become an area of natural beauty and tranquility
Rookery Park
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Former 19th Century New Hucknall Colliery site
- Surfaced pathways
- See the restoration efforts transforming the park into a beautiful landscape of woodland, wetland and grassland
- The summit provides stunning views as far as Crich Stand in Derbyshire
Silverhill Wood
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Site of former Silverhill and Teversal Collieries
- Public car park at Silverhill Lane
- Network of surfaced woodland trails with off road links to the Teversal Trail Network, and on into Derbyshire and the Five Pits Trail, ideal for long walks and cycling
- Habitat attracts buzzard, kestrel, green woodpecker and skylark. In the summer you may be lucky enough to spot orchid and grass snakes
- Head up to the summit to see the statue of a Nottinghamshire miner ‘Testing For Gas’
360 View From Shireoaks Pit Top
Southwell Trail
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- 7.5 mile trail following an old Midland Rail route dating back to 1845
- Trail stretches from Southwell to Bilsthorpe passing the villages of Farnsfield, Kirklington and Maythorne
- Suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding, with easy access via a number of free car parks
- An important habitat corridor for wildlife where visitors can spot sparrow hawk, yellowhammer, spotted flycatcher, goldfinch, green woodpecker, willow tit and common whitethroat, along with the common lizard and many butterfly species.
- Download the Guide below which includes maps of four circular walks, along with detailed information on what to look out for
Teversal Trail
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Circular route on former railway lines on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border
- Two sites of special scientific interest and five sites of importance for nature conservation
- Since the final railway closure in 1978, the trails have come to support a variety of grassland habitats including tor grass, yellow oat grass, field scabious, hawkweed and quaking grass
- Ample parking, and the visitor centre is open every day except Mondays between 9am and 2pm (relies on volunteers so check ahead of travelling)
Tippings Wood
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Former Blidworth Colliery site opened in 1924 and closed in 1989, built on farmland between the villages of Rainworth and Blidworth
- Variety of habitats, including wetlands and grasslands on a former colliery spoil tip
- Broad-leaved woodland, which contains a variety of species including oak and birch
- Habitat attracts the Bee Orchid, a flower typical of post-industrial sites, and painted lady butterflies
- Car park also accessible from National Cycle Route 6, which crosses Boundary Wood adjacent to the site
Woodlands And Coach Wood Green
- Dogs welcome on a lead or under close control
- Easy access to the Chesterfield Canal via Shireoaks Marina and surrounding rights of way network
- Habitat attracts rare natural species including skylark, kestrel and orchids
- A variety of butterflies can be seen during the summer months
- Views across Bassetlaw and Worksop from the summit where you will also find a sculpture by Lewis Morgan
Download a handy Guide to walking, riding and cycling, published by Nottinghamshire County Council:
Hiking Routes In North Notts
For a wide range of walking and hiking routes to suit all abilities, you can also use komoot.com on a browser, or download the app. Examples below.
