Contents
Footpaths, Bridleways & Cycle Trails
General Information
Burton Joyce Riverside Trail
2
3
4
Walks
Papplewick & Linby Circular Walk
Redhill Leisure Centre Circular Walk
Woodborough & Epperstone
Robin Hood Circular Walk
Newstead Abbey, Papplewick & Linby
Revised Lapwing Trail
Lambley Dumbles & High Pastures
Gedling Circular Walks
Arnold, Lambley & Woodborough
Calverton Circular Walk
Burntstump Country Park
6
8
10
12
14
16
22
24
26
28
30
Cycle Routes
Bestwood Country Park and Mill Lakes
The Woodborough Rounds
Leen Valley Path from Basford to Newstead
Hucknall, Newstead and Papplewick
Lambley & Lowdham
Daybrook Square to Southwell
33
36
39
42
44
48
Horse Riding in the Borough of Gedling
Riding Schools/Livery Stables
53
Forestry Commission Land/Circular Bridleways
54
Notes
56
Footpaths, Bridleways & Cycle Trails
in The Borough of Gedling
Gedling Borough is crossed by sections of four long distance
footpaths which form a larger network. These are the Trent
Valley Way, the Leen Valley Way and two sections of the
Robin Hood Way. Details of these walks can be obtained
from Nottinghamshire County Council 0844 980 80 80 or
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/countryside
www.robinhoodway.co.uk
This booklet contains walks, cycle routes and information on
horse riding in the Borough of Gedling. The walks and cycle
rides are accessible to people from all walks of life, however,
if you have a disability please be aware that the walks may
contain stiles and could be muddy.
In this 2008 version of Heels, Wheels and Hooves, Gedling
Borough Council would like to thank the Nottinghamshire
Area of the Ramblers’ Association who undertook to walk all
the routes and make any necessary changes to the maps.
We hope you enjoy walking, cycling and riding through the
wonderful countryside we are fortunate to have in and around
the Borough. If you have any comments or suggestions on this
publication, please email: [email protected] or contact
Gedling Borough Council, Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Arnold,
Nottingham NG5 6LU.
Happy Outdoors!
General Information
What To Wear
The country walks use fields, paths and
bridleways. Wear strong shoes or wellies in
wet weather. Be prepared for bad weather
by wearing waterproof clothing.
Private Transport
If you travel to the starting point by car or
motorcycle please ensure that you park
carefully, to avoid blocking gateways etc.
When parking in pub car parks please seek
the landlords permission.
In woods please ride only on hard tracks
and forest roads as this avoids damage or
erosion. Pleases avoid riding on waymarked
footpaths and keep to a gentle pace, take
particular care when passing horses as they
are easily frightened by bicycles.
Bridleways
Distance & Route
A number of woods are open to horse
The length of the walk is stated in each case.
All walks are circular. If gates are closed,
close them after you have passed through
them. Always safeguard livestock. Never
allow dogs to wander where there is livestock
or ground nesting birds. Play safe and keep
your dog under control.
riders, some allow free range over an area,
and others offer a network of marked riding
routes. Blidworth Woods, once known as
`Assart Woods’, are a popular recreation
spot with a network of waymarked walks
and a separate set of horse riding trails.
A permit is required for all horse-riding,
contact the Forest District Office for details.
Some people find horses a little daunting
so riders are asked to avoid the waymarked
footpaths at all times.
It is important to recognise that whilst
making the countryside accessible to the
public, at the same time, consideration
should be made for landowners who can
suffer from trespassing and vandalism off
rights of way.
How To Get There
Bus services for walks-some starting points
may be reached by public transport. If you
have any difficulties, please check details on
the Buses ‘Hotline’- Nottingham 924 0000
Cycle Routes
Nottinghamshire County Council promotes
various Cycle Routes through its Rural Rides
scheme (www.Nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
countryside or 0844 980 80 80). The circular
2
Southwell Trail can be joined at any point
and passes through the Gedling Borough
area to the north-east. The 28 mile long
route uses mainly minor roads, with some
bridleway and forestry tracks.
A leaflet detailing Bridleways within
Bestwood Country Park can be obtained
from the Park Office, Bestwood Country
Park, The Rangers’ Office, Alexandra Lodge,
Park Road, Bestwood Village, Nottingham
NG6 8UH. Tel: 0115 927 3674.
Should you find problems on public rights
of way, please contact the ‘Rights of Way’
Section, Nottinghamshire County Council,
Trent Bridge House, Fox Road, West
Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6BJ. Tel: 0844
980 80 80
3
Burton Joyce Riverside Trail
An accessible route for disabled people
Greenwood Community Forest produce a series of walks suitable for disabled
access, including the Linby Trail and Colwick and Bestwood Country Parks through
the Breakfree scheme.
Leaflets can be downloaded through: www.greenwoodforest.org.uk or obtained
from (01623) 827322.
The Burton Joyce Riverside Trail is 1 1/4 miles (2 kilometres) in length and takes
approximately one hour to complete. This is a pleasant trail through part of Burton
Joyce and along the riverside. The route is either level or ramped and there are
special facilities to ensure disabled people can undertake the route without
difficulties. However, the trail does cross a railway line. The line is used regularly by
Passenger and Goods trains. Please ensure you are assisted across the line if you
have any doubts about your mobility. Trail users cross the line at their own risk.
4
Walks
Papplewick & Linby Circular Walk
Distance
From here you can see two churches, Linby’s St. Michaels to the left and Papplewick’s
St. James visible through the trees to the right. Also visible on the left are the spoil
heaps of Linby pit. The track now veers left and joins the road, turn right here and
continue until a small gate leading into St. Michaels Church is seen.
Approximately 3 miles.
Continue right, up the road to the crossroads.
Starting Point
On the left is the old Station Masters House and facing is one of Linby’s two crosses.
Turn right, below road level a stream can be seen. Linby is an attractive village worth
more than a casual glance. Opposite the Horse & Groom Pub is a waterwheel
in a private yard. Linby’s second cross can be seen where Quarry Lane joins the
road near the old stone built school which still has the bell attached to the gable
to summon the children to school.
South East end of Hayden Lane which is off Papplewick Lane (as this is a circular
route the walk may be started from either of the pubs).
To Start
From Hayden Lane, walk away from Papplewick Lane up Hayden Lane in a
north westerly direction. At the top end of the lane the walk continues along a
pleasant track.
Continue along the road. The detached houses on the right, although built
comparatively recent have blended in quite well. Continue on to a wooden gate
on the left, walk into the field and continue straight on. The River Leen is crossed
by a stone bridge, again continue straight until reaching a small gap in the hedge
opposite. St. James Church can be seen from here.
Continue across field to church. An unusual seat has been made around the ancient
Yew tree. Leave the churchyard by the double iron gates, leading to a tree lined
track. (Don’t go through the single iron gate to the east as this is a private path to
Papplewick Hall).
Soon another double iron gate is passed, follow the tarmac path to the left.
Turn right when meeting the road until meeting the crossroads with the Griffins
Head Pub on the left. Turn right and follow the road - there is a stone built bus
shelter on the left. On passing the last house, turn into an opening in the fence
- this leads to a wooded area.
Here a notice board explains the history of this area and that access has very
kindly been granted by the owner of the Greater Nottingham Co-operative Society.
Much work has been done here to improve the site for wildlife and the Community
“Spadework” teams.
Follow the path until meeting a bridge, continue over the bridge and turn left until
just before the road, turn right to run parallel with the road. The depression to the
right is the site of the Mill Pond which still holds a small amount of water at the
south end.
Follow the path around the pond until a flight of steep wooden steps leads you
down to the road (Papplewick Lane). Turn right and on crossing the River Leen
notice also the Warp Mill.
Continue along the road until Hayden Lane is met on the right.
6
7
Redhill Leisure Centre Circular Walk
Distance
3 miles.
Starting Point
Redhill Leisure Centre.
To Start
You may leave your car at the Redhill Leisure Centre car park.
Walk out onto Redhill Road and turn left along Redhill Road. Cross the road and go
straight up Churchmoor Lane for a short distance, turning right along Church Lane,
on reaching the playing fields turn left along the unmade road which continues as
a path alongside the playing fields. Cross the road diagonally and the path now
continues along Derrymount School boundary. The path then continues as Litchfield
Rise with a walled path to the main Mansfield Road. Turn right along the main road
and where the road splits take the higher route away from the traffic.
We follow the old road. The original bridge to the left was stone but it collapsed.
Turn left over the bridge.
Retrace steps to the bridge, continue left until you rejoin the main road, continue
along and look for footpath on the right, follow across field and along hedge.
Just before houses are reached, turn sharp left and continue until you meet
the road.
On reaching the road, turn right (taking care to face on-coming traffic). Continue
past cross roads and landfill site until path is met on the right, follow this over 3
stiles, path now runs parallel with the road, follow until gate is reached, turn right
and follow hedge until you see hedge to the right, follow this to stile.
Carry on over stile until next hedge, turn left down hill and continue straight
to road.
Continue down Surgeys Lane, then first right and first left down Baker Avenue. Follow
Baker Avenue until Surgeys Lane is again met, turn right and soon left along Queen
Street. Turn right on meeting Calverton Road towards Longbow Public House, here
turn left alongside car park. This path continues into newish urban development
as Sibson Walk and then along Cogenhoe Walk until flight of steps is met, climb
steps and then turn left.
Following this road brings you back to the start.
8
9
Woodborough & Epperstone
Distance
Approximately 4 miles.
Starting Point
Nags Head Pub, Woodborough or Cross Keys Pub, Epperstone. Both Landlords
welcome walkers (minus boots).
To Start
From the Nags Head Pub go up Shelt Hill (notice the variety in age and style of
properties along this road). Follow the road until reaching a row of terraced cottages
on the left and Hill Top Farm on the right.
Turn right along farm track to a small brick building (Severn Trent’s Woodborough
Water Reclamation Works). Turn left over style and follow stream to corner of ‘Fox
Covert’ Wood, follow right over stream and cross diagonally the open field, and
go over a style to the road, by heading to the right of the large white detached
house. Cross the busy road with care, continue right, past the ‘Old Mill’ entrance
to a stile.
Go over stile and head half right to follow a wooden fence (peacocks may be visible
in private garden to the left). Go over two concrete bridges to a gate. Now go right
to a brick bridge and over the stile. Now walk half right to pass R/H corner of sports
field, continue straight on to go over stile and now head to a wooden gate with stile
just to right. Pass through and along pebbled road to tarmac lane on left, walk up
this lane (Bland Lane) to T-Junction, go left and cross road to climb church steps. The
church is worthy of a visit, now take path to the right side of the church and exit via a
gate on to a lane, continue straight past the farm buildings and large pile of horse
shoes on left, at the last outbuilding go left along fence and over stile. Head for the
R/H end of the hedge in front of you and continue to a wooden gate. Now follow
driveway to the right onto road, follow right and notice bird house in high level
garden opposite Meadow Cottage. Soon a flight of steps will be seen on the left,
climb them and a stile and then cross the field to a footbridge over the ‘Order
Beck’, cross the bridge and turn right to follow the Beck looking for a small brick
bridge, go over this and through a gate into a grassy field which is the garden of
the Cross Keys Pub.
Continue through to the road. Note - Dovecote opposite. Go right along the road
past the old Post Office to crossroads, take Toad Lane on left to the bottom, turn
right and continue to gate and stile into field you met previously. Now simply retrace
your steps until you meet the busy road. Turn right and carefully cross the road to
the stile you climbed before, continue straight across field to stile, continue straight
again to a gap in the hedge, pass alongside the adjacent outbuilding until a small
dyke is crossed via boards.
Go left to road along a track, on reaching the road turn right to return to the start.
10
11
Robin Hood Way Circular Walk
To Start
Starting Point
From the car park retrace your steps down Park Road past Bestwood Hotel and
walk to crossroad. Turn left onto Moor Road and cross road, walk past houses until
reaching a path on the left hand side, to join footbridge over road at the old railway
embankment, then bear right to enter the Bestwood Country Park (Bestwood Lakes
side) at a footbridge over the River Leen.
Winding House car park, Park Road, Bestwood Village.
There is now a choice of routes across the park:
Distance
Approximately 5 miles.
a) Cross and follow the path leading up a low hill, then going right along a clear
track along the ridge with a plantation to the left. Later this track bears right again
and drops to a gap leading to a narrow road along which, turn right. This is a
recommended route as it gives better views of the lake.
b) The other route is to turn right just before the footbridge and follow a clear winding
track beside the lake. This eventually passes a house in the top right hand corner
which has a metal gate leading to the narrow tarmac road reached in a)
* From both routes, follow the narrow road to its junction with B683.
Turn left along B683, crossing the road, then almost immediately turn right along
a street called The Spinney. Follow this street round until the end of the cul-de-sac
can be seen. Just before the end of the street, onto a sign posted path between
houses. This path bears left, left and right, then climbs uphill with hedge on left and
a new housing estate on the right. Continue along the path to reach a kissing gate,
go through and cross two fields to reach a road (Park Road). Your car is parked to
the right if a short walk is required.
Continue ahead along the road , bearing right to enter Bestwood Park and eventually
reach Alexandra Lodge. Continue along Main Drive ignoring all turn offs to reach
farm gate and box stile.
Walk straight ahead past first gate entrance to reach a further entrance on the right
and enter Big Wood.
Take track through Big Wood and continue until reaching a left hand junction Note
- two large houses through trees on boundary of park.
Turn left and take path that continues along boundary of park. Ignore first right turn
but some 50 metres after this, turn right out of wood onto open grass area. Turn
left and follow path parallel to path just left. Follow this path as it contours around
the former colliery spoil heap. From here excellent views are obtained of City of
Nottingham and Hucknall. The path returns to the Winding House car park.
12
13
Newstead Abbey, Papplewick & Linby
Distance
Approximately 6 1/2 miles (plus distance inside Abbey grounds).
Starting Point
Small lay-by on Moor Lane, Papplewick or by permission in Griffins Head Pub car
park.
To Start
Walk northwards up Moor Lane to crossroads - continue straight up Main Street
(Take care -Dangerous crossroads) for about 800 metres until a lane joins the
road on the left , adjacent to the road entrance to Papplewick Hall. Go down this
lane ignoring all turn offs until you arrive at the “South Lodge” and entrance to the
Abbey grounds. Note - Extension to “South Lodge” tastefully constructed to match
the original. Rhododendrons and snowdrops at the right season, and the stone
boundary wall.
Pass through the gate and carry on down the drive, soon the Abbey may be seen
on the left. When the road bends left continue straight on via a grass path until the
road is met, turn left along the road to the Abbey.
Note - Here you must obtain a ticket to visit the grounds, the lakes, gardens and
Abbey (separate charge) are all worth visiting but will add further mileage of course.
Toilets and refreshments are also available.
Re-join the road below the upper lake and continue along it, some fine ivy clad trees
line the road as you head towards the “West Lodge” and entrance to the grounds
approximately 1 mile (1,600 metres). Just before the “West Lodge” a noticeable dip
in the road occurs - this was done to provide clearance for the railway line which
has now gone. Pass out of the grounds. Note - You may continue here to the Station
Hotel or the walk could be started here by those using the new Newstead Station
- Robin Hood Line.
(It is worth visiting the Freckland Wood Community Forest site on your left, if only
to ascend the bank for the fine views over the Leen Valley). Leave the road by the
parallel path to the right of the Freckland Wood access gate. This takes you left along
what was yet another railway line, follow this for 1 1/4 miles (2,000 metres) until the
road is met, Note -This was the site of the Great Northern Station.
Turn left and keep to the left side of the road as you pass through Linby village. As
you leave the village take a field gate on the left and continue straight along the
Headland path, soon you cross the Leen over a stone bridge, continuing straight
look for a path which leaves on the left and goes directly to the church.
Take this path to the church and then turn right out of the church grounds via a
large metal gate. This lane brings you back onto Main Street where a right turn will
bring you back to the start.
14
15
Revised Lapwing Trail
Distance
The Trail is about approximately 6½ miles long but shorter routes are possible over
sections of the trail. Look out for the Lapwing signs like the one above.
You will need approximately 2½ hours to complete the full route which crosses
mixed farming land and can be muddy. There are several stiles to cross.
Starting Point
Woodborough and Lambley.
Car Parking
Woodborough - at the Village Hall, Lingwood Lane (Off Main Street).
Lambley - at the Cemetery, Park Lane (follow lane towards Lowdham for
approximately 55 yards from village edge, then turn right following ‘Bridle Path to
Burton Joyce’ sign).
In Woodborough you may park your car at the Village Hall, Lingwood Lane (the
road off Main street by the church).
To Start
Walk down by the Village Hall and the tennis courts onto the playing fields.
Stop 1
Look back and to your right, the brick building behind the Village Hall is the old Village
School. Woodborough’s first school was founded in 1736 by the Reverend Montague
Wood and was housed in the old Vicarage across the road, any village child who
could learn the alphabet was taught “The three R’s”, something few children except
the rich could expect at that time. The first Headmaster’s job was advertised with
a salary of about £20 with a convenient house after the 1870 Education Act gave
free education to all, this school was built and opened on 22nd August 1878, it cost
£2,025 14s 7d. The building has now been converted to a house.
Cross the playing field (avoiding the cricket square) to the footbridge opposite and
slightly to the right. Cross the plank bridge, turn right and follow the hedge. Stop
after a few yards.
Stop 2
In the hedge are several Willow trees, some have been pollarded and one coppiced.
The difference is that the coppiced tree has been cut back nearly to its roots and has
several shoots growing from ground level, whereas the pollards were cut back to
heights of four to six feet and have an old trunk to that height with new shoots above.
This was an old way of providing wood for fuel and timber from single trees.
Walk to the corner of the field to junction of paths.
If you wish to return to Woodborough by the short route, turn left through gate and
continue from 14th Stop.
To continue on main trail pass into next field turning right and follow edge of field
keeping hedge on your right, pass through gate and stop after a few yards.
Stop 3
Along here you can see that much of the hedge has been cleared and new Elder,
Oak and willow trees planted, many trees were lost from this ancient hedgeline due
to Dutch Elm disease and the farmer is playing his part in preserving this landscape
16
17
feature and wildlife habitat by replacing them. Look for the signs of many small
animals in the hedge and dyke bank.
Stop 4
Look at the shady area on the right where the stream curves. Areas like this have
become leftover between fields and form important little havens for wildlife. They
are often linked by hedgerows which the animals use as routes throughout the
countryside. Go straight across the field to the gap in the hedge.
Stop 5
This is one of the highest points (approximately 318 ft above sea level) between the
two villages. They both developed along river valleys that were cleared of forest
hundreds of years ago, the streams being important for water supply.
This is called ‘Milling Field’. The grassy mound in the middle of the field is called
Round Hill and may be the remains of a medieval mill. In medieval times this field
would have been farmed in strips by individual villages working by hand, which
must have been hard work as the red clay (Keuper Marl) is very heavy. Traditionally
Lambley and Woodborough have been market garden centres for Nottingham and
there are several nurseries in the area growing fruit and vegetables.
Carry on down the field to reach a stile. At this point, if you wish to avoid passing
through gardens, turn left and follow the edge of the field to bottom. Alternatively,
you can go across the tile and pass through the gardens to the bottom of the field
turning left and passing by nurseries and across a paddock.
Woodboroughs’ name means either ‘A Fort in the Wood’ or ‘A Fort made of Wood’
and the village was probably first settled in Anglo-Saxon times. The Church is
dedicated to St. Swithun and dates from the Thirteenth Century.
From here, you can see Lambley Church on the other side of the road. At this
point, to the right is a narrow stiled pathway leading into Lambley Village. The trail
continues over the stile turning right to pass through gate and turning right to follow
hedge at bottom of field.
Both Woodborough and Lambley were stocking knitting centres and some of the
Luddite protests against poor pay and long hours were recorded as occurring in
Lambley in the 1800’s.
If you are starting from Lambley, walk along the small footpath at the side of 10
Church Street to reach gate turning right to follow field edge keeping hedge on
right.
Lambley’s name means ‘a clearing in the wood for grazing lambs’ and the village
was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Church dates from AD1111 and
was partially re-built in 1454. Outside the chancel East window, it has a sculptured
bade of Lord Cromwell, High Treasurer of England in 1433 who was born in the
village.
Continue along edge of field until you reach a stile on the left.
Both villages have been declared conservation areas to preserve and enhance
their architectural and historical qualities.
At this point, for a shorter walk, turn left and walk along the ridge path to Stop 12
and rejoin the trail.
To follow main trail turn right and walk to the edge of the field, follow hedge to the
left around the field bogs.
Stop 6
On the other side of the hedge can be seen ‘The Blasted Oak’ across the other side
of the road. This is the very old trunk of an Oak tree, it probably dates back to the
time when much of the surrounding area was part of Sherwood Forest. It appears
to have been struck by lightning and is called ‘The Blasted Oak’.
At the end of the field, go over the stile near Hanger Pass in front of bungalow on
left and take narrow path on left through hedges past bungalow gardens, go over
stile and follow path past the rear of houses. Go over former stile.
18
Stop 7
Stop 8
Over stile to the left is a large pond, this is believed to occupy the site of a ‘Stew
Pond’ dating from 1400 where the owner of Lambley Manor House kept live fish,
such as trout for eating. Prior to 1974 it was a damp depression which resisted
initial attempts to flood it, then a six foot trench was dug around its Southern side
and lined with polythene which created the pond. Subsequent mining subsidence
then enlarged the pond. The pond now forms a very good place to see water birds,
especially Moorhen, Mallard and Muscovy Duck. The Manor House was demolished
in 1600 and the profit from selling the building stone is said to have helped pay for
building Wollaton Hall in Nottingham.
The lapwings like damp fields but their numbers have declined enormously in recent
years. They gather in flocks but soon fly off when disturbed.
Return to original path and walk beside the hedge and further on beside Cocker
Beck. Follow the bend around to the right and then without crossing the bridge, turn
left alongside the Beck (you may see some squirrels in the trees here) on reaching
the hedge, turn left and follow the edge of the field with the hedge on your right.
When you reach the large gap in the hedge turn right and follow the field’s edge
until you reach the house.
19
Stop 9
Stop 13
The white house here is Bateman House and though much altered, it is believed
to date from tudor times. The roof tiles on the outbuildings are called Pantiles and
along with the dark red brick they are typical of old Nottinghamshire architecture.
From here you can see the landscape setting of Woodborough. The underlying
rocks are waterstones which drain well and the fields are noticeably larger than
those around Lambley, also, there are fewer skerries (see Stop 10) and the hills are
more rounded and the slopes more gentle.
Continue on past the house until you come to the next field boundary where you
turn left up the hill keeping hedge to your right.
Stop 10
As you walk up beside the hedge, you may notice at certain times of the year, many
wild flowers growing but please remember that it is illegal to remove them. As with
all wild plants you should leave them for others to enjoy. At the top of the field you
can look back and see the landscape setting of Lambley. The underlying rocks are
mainly Keuper Marl, a type of clay and it contains thin layers of sandstone called
Skerries. The result is that the land does not drain as easily as it might and on the
opposite side of Lambley the fields are noticeably small, although this is partly due
to the type of farming practised in the past.
Continue up the hill until the hedge on your right is replaced by a fence with Parish
boundary markers. Carry on to the corner of the field.
Stop 11
The small Parish Boundary - the approximately 12” high concrete posts with ‘P.C’,
a number had a bench mark on them to show the border between Lambley and
Lowdham and over to your right is what was Lowdham Borstal which when it
opened in 1930 was the first institution of its kind in the world. The trees include Sloe,
Oak and Hawthorn. Larger copses than this were first planted to provide cover for
game birds like pheasants as well as wood for building fences and for fuel. Now
they form refuges for wildlife like the one at Stop 4.
If you started from Lambley and wish to return by a shorter route, turn left and,
keeping the hedge on your right, walk along the top of the field to pick up the trail
again at Stop 5.
Stop 14
At this point you will reach a very old section of hedgerow containing many trees,
the first one is a Crabapple and there are Hawthorn, Buckthorn, Sloe, Damson and
Field Maple. Pace out a section of approximately 32 yds and count the number
of different trees or shrubs, multiply your answer by 100 and this will give you the
approximate age of the hedge.
Stop 15
A little further along you will see over the hedge a small market garden growing
vegetables for local sale. Like Lambley, it is the good farm land close to the village
and the presence of the large nearby market of Nottingham which makes this type
of farming viable.
Follow the path through the gates and on to the hard drive with the new bungalow
on your left.
Stop 16
The bungalow is called ‘Old Manor Farm’ but the original building has long since
gone. However, the ditch and wall form a boundary that was first used in the 1700’s
and is known as a ‘Ha Ha’. It was designed to keep grazing animals out of the
garden yet remain invisible from the house, thereby improving the view. The trees
at the top of the field opposite also look as though they were planted to improve
the view.
The main trail now goes through a gap in the corner and on towards Woodborough,
keep the fence on your right and walk along the edge of the field to the wood.
After passing the bungalow drive, fork left off the drive, through the gate and go
straight across the field to a stile, go over the stile and pass between house to main
road, turn left and follow the road around the common and through the village.
After passing Pinfold Close, look out for the brick enclosure on your left.
Stop 12
Stop 17
This is Ploughman’s Wood, it is private and is an ancient Ash and Oak Wood surviving
from the days of Sherwood Forest. The wood is on the Parish boundary between
Woodborough and Lowdham and was left over as forest was cleared outwards
from the two villages to farmland in the Middle Ages.
Walk along to the corner where there is a gate and a Scots Pine at the edge of the
Wood. Go through the gate and close it.
20
Turn right along the wood and then left down the hill by the fence. At the bottom,
turn right and go through the gate (closing it behind you) with the hedge on your
left, continue for about 80 yards and stop.
This is the village ‘Pinfold’ which was used to hold stray animals and was built around
1800. The village ‘Pinder’ would collect strays and charge a fee from the owner when
the animals were collected. The plaque tells you when it was re-built.
Continue on and turn left after St. Swithuns Church, up Lingwood Lane, past the
new school and into the village hall car park on your left to the trails end and a
well earned rest, or continue the trail (if you started from Lambley) by reading from
the beginning of the leaflet.
21
Lambley Dumbles & High Pastures
Distance
Approximately 7 miles (can also be altered to distances of 2 or 5 miles).
2 Mile Walk
Follow directions until position 3) and then return to start through school grounds.
5 Mile Walk
From start go right to school through gates and continue straight to hedge at right
angle to you, stop, turn round and follow directions from position 3).
Starting Point
The Lambley at Lambley.
To Start
With the pub behind you, turn left along the Lowdham Road until you see Chapel
Lane, take the track opposite, alongside the stream, this soon becomes a path
between hedges, follow this until you go over boards crossing a ditch, turn right here
following the track till it meets the road, cross over and take the path opposite.
Look carefully at the skyline in front of you and you will see a metal gate - head
directly for it, go over the stile adjacent.
Note - Fine views of Lambley can be enjoyed and evidence of medieval ridge and
furrow fields. Continue straight ahead with hedge on the left, until a bungalow is
seen to your front, the path goes to its left, The path continues straight, past tracks
to houses. Take path until you see a gate leading into a paddock, do not enter but
take path which joined to your right, over two fields to a wooded area, which is an
old tree lined lane, go right down this but look out for path leaving left to a bridge,
go over small field to this bridge and cross it.
Turn right to follow stream around field edge to another footbridge, cross and
continue straight across field with stream to your right. On entering school playing
fields head half left across field to stile, cross and follow grass path through hedge
to metal gate and then the road. Now go left and then right opposite No. 49. Follow
hedge until reaching stream and go half left to footbridge over stream, cross and
go to stile in front, over and then slightly left to another stile, cross over keeping just
to right of hedge, a further two stiles follow, then go half left to road.
Go left and follow bridleway for half a mile, look for a path between hedges joining
on the right, go along this to the road. Now go right down hill until a field gate is
reached on the right, climb adjacent stile and follow hedge uphill to next hedge,
go left along hedge over a stile.
Look back for a pleasant view including Foxwood containing evidence of an ancient
settlement. Continue to next stile, carefully go over and turn left at bottom. Go straight
now until reaching the road (Lingwood Lane) turn right, keeping to grass verge, notice
small pond and conservation area, and then cross road to path, a few paces on
go over stile and head diagonally right uphill. As you meet the power lines through
field, follow these to a stile, climb over and head slightly away from the hedge on
your right to a large gap in the hedge in front of you. Looking forward head for stile
between double power poles to right of corrugated aircraft hanger.
Over stile and go to road, look for narrow hedge lined path adjacent to bungalow on
your left, go down path and continue straight until you see a field gate leading onto
road. Ignore this and look left for a grass covered mound in field. Note - Believed to
be the site of a windmill, excavation revealed charcoal fragments - possibly from
site being used for a beacon. Cross directly to mound, look carefully now for newish
houses towards the left of the village whose walls can hardly be seen, but whose
red tiled roofs can. Glancing back, the way forward is a straight continuation of this
direction. On reaching the hedge in front of these houses a stile will be to your left,
cross over this field to right hand edge of pond.
Note - The pond is a much loved amenity as are the resident wildfowl. Continue
along path to road, cross to track opposite, up track to gate, through gate and
immediately right. Follow this direction for about 600 yards until meeting a path
over ditch boards on right - take this back to the start.
22
23
Gedling Circular Walks
Distance
7 - 9 miles.
Starting Point
Stoke Bardolph Estate Car Park, Station Road off the A612 at Burton Joyce or Ferry
Boat Inn.
To Start
Long Route
From car park entrance turn left to river Trent, at river turn right and follow river
Southwards. Pass by point ‘A’ and Ferry Boat Inn to follow riverside path past lock and
round bend to viaduct. Just before viaduct, turn right and pass by floodlit installation
on left and at bend turn right up bank to reach ponds. Walk around pond to left
corner then turn left down bank to cross footbridge point ‘B’. Turn left and follow
path to trading estate. At end of ditch, follow hedge to right for approximately 54
yards then follow path to right by stile, keeping hedge on left.
Pass by gate and continue to road turning left to go under bridge. Straight after
bridge take footpath to right over rail bridge where you turn left and follow path
down to recreation ground. At far left corner cross main road at traffic lights to reach
Brooklands Drive approximately 108 yards further up right side of road.
Go along Brooklands Drive and at bend go up Twitchell to reach Waverly Avenue
and further along main road go across pedestrian crossing, turning left uphill. Pass
through churchyard, rejoin road then turn right into Jessops Lane. Continue along to
reach small grassed area on right leading into recreation area, cross bridge on left
and go to far left corner and road to pass under bridge reaching Yew Tree Lane. Near
top of Yew Tree Lane, take footpath to right across top of school grounds. Turn left
at end between hedges and continue straight up road to reach Almond Walk.
Take footpath to left of road sign to reach fields. Go across stile and continue
following path up fields to reach road. Immediately take bridle path to right past
Wood Farm. Follow bridle path to gate and turn right past Stockhill Farm then turn
left following path through gate to pass wind pump site to reach bridle path. Turn
right to Bridle Road, continue down and cross over Lambley Lane to reach the main
A612 road. Cross over to go along St. Helens Crescent, at end go under rail tunnel
to reach river.
Follow riverside path back to starting point(s).
This route can be shortened by approximately 2 miles by turning right at point ‘A’
then continuing along path route from point ‘B’.
Short Route
Take the long route to Point B at Footbridge, go straight across fields to crossroad
and follow path to bend. Follow track to waterway and turn left to follow path to
Point ‘A’. Turn left and re-trace path to car park.
24
25
Arnold, Lambley & Woodborough
Distance
Approximately 9 miles.
Starting Point
Car park on Killisick Road Recreation Ground.
To Start
Cross the recreation ground on to Coppice Road, go left through traffic lights and
look for ‘Footpath to Milton Court’ sign on the right, go along this cut through which
soon goes uphill and past the end of Ashe Close.
Fine views over Arnold and Bestwood etc., look for Bestwood Lodge. Continue right
where another cut through joins and then cross Darlton Drive which takes you
along the boundary fence of ‘Christ the King’ School Field. Then turn left to the end
of Richie Close, then turn left to head for shops.
Go left and immediately right at shops to follow path which brings you to the road
junction of Mapperley Plains and Spring Lane. Go over road and down Spring Lane
to take ‘footpath to Lambley’ soon on left. Follow this obvious (sometimes very wet)
path until a field is entered with a white painted footbridge to the left.
This is the Cocker Beck, the Beck like the Lambley Dumble has cut surprisingly deeply,
these are a haven for wildlife and contain a good selection of wild flowers. Go to
bridge but do not cross, instead go right, parallel to the stream to another painted
footbridge, cross and go across small field to hedged lane. Now turn left down this
attractive lane and follow the stream until you reach Lambley.
It is said that D.H.Lawrence walked these Dumbles. Go left along road, left at Catfoot
Lane into school grounds. Go past tennis court and turn right to a stile, over and
head diagonally right across field to stile and soon to road, go left along road and
soon right to path heading downhill. On reaching stream do not cross but turn
right alongside stream. The path now joins a road leading to Lambley Church,
follow this and almost immediately take path leaving on left over footbridge and
alongside the Woodlark Pub. Cross the road diagonally left and go up footpath
steps. At top turn left and walk parallel with the road, go through the gardens of
cottages on your left.
At one time these cottages had tiny gardens, but later enlarged them by enclosing
part of the field, the ancient path however has not been moved. Continue now,
still parallel with the road until the path eventually joins the road, adjacent to the
bungalow opposite track to Jericho Farm. A few yards on, go over stile between
power line poles and on to green airfield. Look now to hedgerow opposite, there is
a large gap about 70 yards from its left hand road end. Head directly for this,
Fine viewpoint. Go slightly left to double power line pole and stile. Go over stile and
then diagonally left over the brow of the hill.
Another fine viewpoint - Woodborough and Calverton can be seen in the valley.
Continue to the left hand corner of the field where a road is in the bottom of a hollow.
Turn right on to road, keep on until road bends right - we leave it here by two adjacent
stiles, follow the power lines uphill and then down for a while, then go to stile just to left of
farm outbuilding. Straight on now to join farm track onto the road. Go right along road to
T-junction, now left and soon left again up Westfield Lane,
Notice stream tastefully incorporated into garden. Westfield Lane later becomes
a path which we follow, it climbs gradually and runs parallel to the stream on the
right. Follow the signs for about a mile with the newly planted hedge and brick and
corrugated building on the left and the stream on the right. On reaching the road
look back for fine views. Go slightly left over road to stiles, over and follow hedge
parallel with road, follow perimeter of this field by taking two right turns, go over
stile to hedge opposite, turn left and go downhill onto road. Now go left along lane,
keep to this lane which later becomes Killisick Road to bring you back to the start.
26
27
Calverton Circular Walk
Distance
4 miles for Walks A and B, 6 miles for Walk C.
Starting Point
Library car park, Main Street, Calverton
To Start
Walk A
From the starting point in the library car park turn right, passing the Calverton
Folk Museum (which is well worth a visit). Continue along Main Street, leading out
of the village. Turn left after half a mile through a kissing gate and carry on past
Hollinwood House.
Yellow waymark arrows direct you over a field passing Cockpit Hill, an iron age
fort site. Follow the edge of the wood around to the left and then to the right until
you reach the track, from Abbey House which leads you down to the Calverton to
Arnold Road.
Turn left and continue down the road until you reach a bridleway at the top of
George’s Hill, which is called Spindle Lane. Three quarters of a mile down the track,
on the right is Foxwood, which is thought to be the first known area of habitation
in Calverton.
A few yards on from here is a signposted footpath to the left which leads down to
Calverton. Follow this down past St Wilfrids School on your right and follow Dark
Lane as it turns left.
When you are opposite St Clements Riding School, turn right to reach the Main Street
again, where you can return to your starting point in the library car park.
Walk B
For this walk, follow the same route (A) until you reach Foxwood. This time instead
of taking the first path down to Calverton, take the second.
This path leads you straight down across fields, before you get to the bottom turn
left onto Stripes View. Turn right along Bricknell Road, follow the tarmaced path
between the new houses on the left, cross a stile and turn right. This leads you out
onto Main Street, opposite St Wilfrids Church.
Near here are many old buildings, like the knitters cottages to the right. Retrace
your steps along Main Street to return to the library car park.
Walk C
Take Route A as far as Foxwood, then take the path to the south, just inside Foxwood
itself leading away from Calverton. This path eventually reaches Woodborough
Park Farm and is sometimes muddy, but it is worth it because of the lovely views
from here.
On the farm track, follow it round the farm buildings, until it reaches a footpath.
Follow this down until you reach the Woodborough Lane (B684). Take two right turns
which will lead you back down into Calverton.
By turning left onto the valley bottom path you can walk all the way into Woodborough
itself, where a left turn will take you back to Calverton via Foxwood Lane and Bonner
Hill.
At the top of the hill, down into Calverton, you can turn left onto Spindle Lane and
follow the bridleway to join Walk A or Walk B and return to Calverton across the fields.
28
29
Burntstump Country Park
Distance
1 mile
Starting Point
Police Headquarters car park or Burntstump Public Hous
The Country Park consists mainly of deciduous woodland with an area of grassland
and a cricket pitch to the centre and west of the site nearest the carpark.
It provides a good opportunity for a gentle stroll with the option to stop and watch
the cricket if a match is on (normally a summer Saturday or Sunday afternoon)
Two walks are shown on the map, both start from the main car park next to the Police
Headquarters, but they can also be joined from the Burnstump Public House.
The shorter walk takes you round the meadow/cricket ground through the
woodland fringe. On the way round you pass the pond, which is a haven for
wildlife and views through the trees. This is a relatively flat walk along woodland
paths with one short climb back up to the car park.
The second, longer walk is still just over 1 mile in length, but takes you round the
edge of the site with more climbs and descents. None of these are very long
or particularly steep but are not suitable for those less steady on their feet. The
woodland walk provides an opportunity to enjoy the trees and listen to the birds
that inhabit them.
Alternatively make up your own walk using the network of footpaths criss crossing
the site as the whim takes you.
30
31
Cycle Routes
Bestwood Country Park & Mill Lakes
Distance
6 miles
Terrain
An entirely off-road route, undulating.
Starting Point
Bestwood Lodge Drive car park, Bestwood Park (GR 572 464)
33
Bestwood Country Park, like many of the country parks that have emerged to the
North of Nottingham, owes its existence largely to the demise of coal-mining.
The old spoil heaps had become naturally colonised by vegetation, and careful
landscaping has made for a seamless graft between the open and airy artificial hill
and the extensive established woodland which is a remnant of an old deer park
to the east. Bestwood’s mining past is commemorated by the retention of the old
pithead gear and engine house as a feature. The park is easily accessible by bike
from the northern areas of Nottingham, or by the Robin Hood Line to Bulwell or
Hucknall. In the country park, cyclists and walkers share most of the paths that are
not marked as ‘horse trails’. Many of them are broad tracks or untarred roads, but
some are narrower paths, so take care. This route also goes round the Mill Lakes, a
nature reserve adjacent to Bestwood Country Park, to the west. Information leaflets
on the wildlife to be seen around the lakes and woodland are obtainable from the
Country Park Administration Office at Bestwood Country Park, Tel: (0115) 9273674.
To Start
At the entrance of the Bestwood Lodge Drive car park, turn right up the hill; the
road bears quite sharply round to the left, then right, past Bestwood Lodge Hotel.
You are on Bestwood Lodge Drive, following signs to Alexandra Lodge, and a
short distance after the hotel the tarred surface of this road gives way to crushed
stone. About ½ mile from the hotel Bestwood Lodge Drive, continues through a
steel horse-step barrier and steel kissing gate. Here, turn right along a narrower
path (not signed). At the end of the wood, after about 600yds, turn left at the track
crossroads into Colliers’ Path and follow this down to Alexandra Lodge. Turn right
onto a tarred section of Main Drive, past the Field Studies Centre, and immediately
left along Woodman’s Path, signed to the Adventure Playground. Go up the hill,
past the toilets and the Adventure Playground.
At the top the path bears round to the left and shortly after turn right downhill,
towards the ‘Winding Engine House’. This descent is fairly steep with a loose
surface. Just before the Winding Engine House - the preserved pithead gear of the
old Bestwood Colliery - take the path which heads off to the left up a gentle incline.
Follow this path as it contours round the landscaped spoil heaps, which tend to
cross and recross the firm-surfaced path on this stretch. After about ½ mile, turn
right on to the first path not signed as a horse trail, which heads downhill, across
a small bridge and then bears round to the right. Continue on this path, ignoring
any turnings, through a steel kissing gate and, when it joins Sustrans Cycle Route
number 9, turn very sharply right - almost doubling back. After about 400 yards,
take the bridge over the road., B683 (steps with a gully to wheel bicycles). Cross
over the B683 at the bottom, and up the other side, signed Mill Lakes (steps again,
with the bike-wheeling gully on the wrong side if you are right-handed!).
34
(The Leen Valley Path, route 39, from or to Bulwell Station joins/leaves here). Then
follow the broad firm-surfaced path over a wooden bridge which crosses the River
Leen at a small weir and then in a clockwise direction around the Mill Lakes, keeping
the water on your right. At the far end of the lakes pass through one kissing gate
on to a tarred path. (The Leen Valley route from or to Hucknall Station joins/leaves
here). Turn right across a wooden bridge over the River Leen and immediately right
through a gap in the fenceline, to rejoin the waterside path, here narrower but still
firm crushed-stone surfaced.
Having completed a tour of the lakes, you will need to retrace your route back into
Bestwood Park, via the disused rail line. From the kissing gate leading into Bestwood
Park, go straight on, ignoring any side turnings. This path soon passes through two
wooden farm gates and climbs a fairly steep hill. At the summit, follow the path as
it bears round to the right and then curves to the left until you reach an entrance
to Bestwood Park from a housing estate. Take the second left path, signed to Big
Wood which runs along the perimeter of the park. Stick to the main path through
the woods, and when this veers away from the housing estate, bear right at a Tjunction, and right at the next ‘T’ junction, signed to Lodge Gardens and Bestwood
Lodge Drive. At the next fork, just after a sign for Woodman’s Path, keep right through
a steel kissing gate you emerge onto Bestwood Lodge Drive; turn right and follow
this ½ mile or so down to Bestwood Lodge Drive car park.
Ordnance Survey Maps
Landranger sheet 129. Nottingham and Loughborough, or Pathfinder sheet 812,
Nottingham (North) and Ilkeston.
Public Transport Links
Robin Hood Line to Bulwell or Hucknall stations, then follow the Leen Valley Path,
route 39; in either case you join the circuit part-way round.
Other Routes
The Leen Valley Path, route 39 follows part of this route and also forms a link to
route 15, Hucknall and Newstead Abbey.
35
The Woodborough Rounds:
Taking the Rough with the Smooth!
Distance
8 miles for the bridleway version; about a mile longer for the all-road alternative.
Terrain
Decidedly hilly - but rewarded by fine views. The mix on the bridleway version is
about 1½ miles of B-road, which can be quite busy at times on weekdays, 4 miles
of minor road and 2½ miles of bridleway. The bridleway surfaces are reasonable
for most of the time but with a definite tendency to muddiness in wet weather. They
would be best tackled on a mountain bike or by experienced riders on touring
bikes - definitely not for smooth, narrow racing tyres. Despite the short distance,
we wouldn’t recommend the bridleway route for absolute beginners. However, we
checked it when it was frozen hard and it was fine.
Starting Point
At the western end of Woodborough (GR 624 478). You could also start from Lambley
or Dorket Head.
36
These two short circuits - one an all-weather version, the other with some fineweather off-road sections - have one main attraction: the views across the tumbling
hills just to the north-east of the city. The intricate interlocking of the spurs of the
hill and the changing light and colour make this a pleasant diversion well worth a
visit at any season. This is by no means the highest part of the county but four of
Nottinghamshire’s very few steeper-than-1-in-7 hills, marked on the OS map by a
black arrow, are on these roads.
The on-road version of the route touches the large mining village of Calverton.
However, industry has been here even longer: at the foot of Bonner Hill is a run of
restored frame-knitters’ cottages, with their characteristic long windows to let in the
light the workers needed in those pre-electricity days.
To Start
The Rough/Fair Weather Version
Leave Woodborough westwards towards Calverton on Foxwood Lane, signed
Calverton. This climbs away from the village and at the crest of the hill, just after
Foxwood Lodge and just before the road drops steeply into Calverton, turn left onto
a public bridleway signed to George’s Hill and Arnold. Follow this rather variablysurfaced bridleway for about 1½ miles until you reach a tarred road at a bend in
the road. Turn left on the road from the bridleway to climb gently to a crossroads
junction with B684 at Dorket Head; turn left on B684, signed Mapperley 3. Continue
for about 1½ miles, ignoring the first turning on the left to Woodborough but taking the
second, Catfoot Lane, just after the Traveller’s Rest, signed Lambley. Follow Catfoot
Lane for about 2 miles gently downhill through a pleasant valley, becoming steeper
at the end into Lambley. At the ‘T’ junction by the Lambley turn left, signed Lowdham.
After about 500 yards, just after going by Lambley Post Office on the right, take the
first turning left, Church Street, signed Woodborough. About 300 yards farther on
the road bears round to the right and begins to go steeply uphill, becoming Green
Lane. After about three quarters of a mile, the road becomes Lingwood Lane and
bears round to the right to go steeply downhill into Woodborough. Do not go down
the hill but continue straight ahead on a wide unsurfaced track, a bridleway with
a weathered and unreadable finger post. After about 100 yards go round a metal
gate, then after about three quarters of a mile, just after the hedge on the right of
the track stops, there is a sign on the left reading ‘Private Road Ahead’: turn right for
bridleway. The bridleway runs between hedges and is signed with a blue bridleway
arrow. After about 450 yards it emerges on to a tarred road. This is Bank Hill (not
signed at this point): turn right downhill into Woodborough.
37
The Smooth All-Road Version
Leave Woodborough westwards towards Calverton on Foxwood Lane, signed
Calverton. This climbs away from the village and then drops steeply down Bonner
Hill to its ‘T’ junction with Bonner Lane, Calverton. Turn left along Main Street and
after about three quarters of a mile, turn left into George’s Lane signed Arnold 3, to
go up George’s Hill. This is quite a tough climb for the first part but with the reward
of fine views to the left. The upper part of the climb is more gentle and brings
you to a crossroads junction with B684 at Dorket Head; turn left on B684, signed
Mapperley 3. Continue for about 1½ miles, ignoring the first turning on the left to
Woodborough but taking the second, Catfoot Lane, just after the Traveller’s Rest
signed Lambley. Follow Catfoot Lane for about 2 miles gently downhill through a
pleasant valley, becoming steeper at the end into Lambley. At the ‘T’ junction by
the Lambley, turn left, signed Lowdham. After about 500 yards, just after passing
Lambley Post Office on the right, take the first turning left, Church Street, signed
Woodborough. About 300 yards farther on the road bears round to the right and
begins to go steeply uphill, becoming Green Lane. After about three quarters of a
mile, the road becomes Lingwood Lane and bears round to the right to go steeply
downhill into Woodborough. Turn left by the Church on Main Street to complete
the circuit.
Leen Valley Path from Basford to Newstead
Distance
9 miles.
Terrain
Mainly off-road, flat.
Starting Point
Saint Leodegarius’ church.
A great deal of work has been put in over the last few years to create “Green
Corridors” out of the city, following waterways. The River Leen rises just above
Newstead Abbey and is dammed to form the lakes in the Abbey grounds. It then
flows through Papplewick, Bulwell and Basford until, at Radford, it is ignominiously
culverted for much of the remainder of it’s journey to the River Trent, about 300 yards
west of Wilford Bridge. At the Basford and Bulwell end a riverside path has been
constructed. This route continues this path as far as Newstead Station.
Ordnance Survey Maps
Landranger sheet 129 Nottingham and Loughborough.
Public Transport Links
Other Routes: Route 30, Daybrook to Southwell uses some of the same roads near
Dorket Head and between Woodborough and Arnold. The westernmost point of
route 20, Lambley and Lowdham, lies only about 200 yards east of this route in
Lambley village.
38
39
To Start
At the T-junction by Saint Leodegarius’ church, Basford, turn north (right) into Church
Street, and then first right again by the White Swan, still marked Church Street
although it is a definite turn. Church Street becomes Lincoln Street. Shortly after the
left turn of Cowley Street, opposite Lincoln Street children’s playground and just
before the Post Office, turn left round metal barriers into a gap signed as cycle
and pedestrian path, uphill to emerge into Academy Close. Turn left and first right
into Arkers Close, then at the end of the short close continue along a cycle path
marked on the ground (but no blue sign), down a dropped kerb, then straight on
across Bramble Close (not signed at this point). Bear round to the right towards the
back of the Horse and Jockey Public House, then past a concrete bollard down a
concrete path which runs between a brick wall and black metal railings towards
the B6004. At the foot of the concrete path (another concrete bollard), keep left on
the stone-surfaced path until you are opposite the start of the Leen Valley path and
have a clear view of the crossing.
Cross the B6004, Mill Street (care!) just after you pass the garage and go through
the green railings, signed Greenway to Bulwell with cycle route sign Bulwell Market
Place. Continue on this path, leaving a blue steel latticework bridge to the right,
and ignore the next, green, bridge. Continue on the path which switches from
the left-hand to the right-hand side of the River Leen and pass under a disused
railway bridge, keeping the river on your right. The Leen Path emerges by Bulwell
Station (Robin Hood Line), soon after having passed a children’s playground with
mini-Sheffield cycle stands.
From Bulwell Station bear left to cross the bridge over the River Leen, then bear right
across the road into Bulwell Market Square. Cross the square diagonally and bear
left up Marketside, leaving Boots to the left and Geo Atkins to the right. Pass under
Bulwell High Road at the underpass (with black cast iron decorative bulls’ head
bollards) to join Commercial Road. Take the first right after about 200 yards, Latham
Street (the entrance is closed to cars but there is a cycle gap), then at the next Tjunction turn left into Ravensworth Road which becomes Squires Avenue. Cross the
A6002, Camberley Road/Sandhurst Road, at the traffic lights into Norwich Gardens,
and go straight on into Bulwell Hall Park where Norwich Gardens bears left. At the
car parking area on the left, where the tarred traffic-calmed road bears left to the golf
course, bear right (effectively straight on) on a tarred path past some football pitches.
Lane, A611, turn left on the cycleway marked beside the road, then cross the A611 by
the central island onto a path signed To Bestwood (caution: cross railway with care
at the swing gates), then go straight on past a disused mill into Old Mill Close.
Turn left out of Old Mill Close at the T-junction with the B683, Bestwood Road (not
signed). After about 200 yards, on the outskirts of Bestwood, turn left off B683, at
the brown Mill Lakes sign, wheeling your bike up the concrete channel beside steps
(on the wrong side if you’re right-handed!) onto a stone-surfaced path in the Leen
Valley Country Park (although everybody calls it Bestwood Mill Lakes). Follow the path
through the park, keeping Mill Lake to the right, then through two wooden chicanestyle barriers either side of a surfaced path to carry straight on on a stone-surfaced
path. At the top of a slight rise, turn left off the path to pass through a metal gate
and under a railway bridge, then over a wooden bridge across a stream and along
the path between wooden fences. Go down the kerb (no drop kerb!) into Wigwam
Lane (not signed), leaving the golf course on the reclaimed pit spoil heap to your
right. At the top of Wigwam Lane, turn left at the mini-roundabout onto Station Road
over the railway bridge, then first right into Linby Road.
(For Hucknall Station (Robin Hood Line), turn immediately right into Station Terrace
in front of the Station Hotel. From Hucknall Station platform turn left and follow the
one-way route out via Baths Road and cross Station Road into Linby Road).
After about ½ mile Linby Road passes over a level crossing, then after another
700yds, just after a turn (unsigned) for Linby Village on the right, join the signed
cycle/pedestrian path on the right which brings you to the B6011, just to the right of
a roundabout. Cross the B6011, onto the cycle path following blue cycle route signs
to Newstead, passing a wooden barrier. Just beyond a second wooden access
control barrier after about 1 mile bear left to a further wooden access control barrier
by a metal gate. Continue straight ahead to pass Newstead Station (Robin Hood
Line) on the left. For access to the station, continue to the level crossing, turn left
over the crossing, then left again to the station.
After Bulwell Hall Wildflower Meadows on the left, and the football pitches on the
right, go over a tiny bridge across a minute but very clear stream, then, at the end
of the tarred path, go right on a bridleway. Leave an open field to the left, trees to
the right, then enter a stretch with trees on both sides. Where the trees on the left
stop, bear left on a path to the easily visible gap in the old railway embankment,
where you bear right onto a firm-surfaced track. When the bridleway meets Hucknall
40
41
Hucknall, Newstead & Papplewick
Distance
12 miles
Starting Point
Hucknall Station - Grid Ref: SK 539 493
This gentle circular route inevitably has strong Byron connections. Newstead
Abbey became the home of the Byron family in 1539, although there had been an
Augustinian priory on the site since the 12th Century. The Byrons seemed always
to be plagued by financial problems, and when the poet inherited the place and
the title as the 6th Lord Byron, only one room, the scullery, was habitable. Byron
was fond of the place and brought more of it into use - living there, on and off, from
1809 to 1814. However, his lifestyle once more resulted in money problems and he
was forced to sell it in 1817. He died in 1824 in exile in Greece, a country which still
reveres him for his support of the cause of Greek independence. He is buried in
the Byron family vault in Hucknall Church.
Another landmark on the route is Papplewick Pumping Station, a prominent Victorian
building whose tall chimney is visible for miles. Built in 1884 as one of several
to supply water to the city of Nottingham, it contains a superb restored steam
beam-engine, which worked the pumps, housing in an ornate temple to industry.
It can be seen working at specified times, mainly on summer Sundays and Bank
Holidays. It is actually about 2½ miles from Papplewick, at the time it was built, the
nearest identifiable village.
The little village of Papplewick sits around what is at times a rather busy crossroads,
with some attractive runs of light stone-built cottages leading towards the imposing
Papplewick Hall. Just west of the village centre lies Castle Mill Farm. In the 17th
Century, Castle Mill was a large employer of child labour, with children being
brought from as far as London to toil over the machines. Many died and are buried
in Papplewick churchyard. What is now a pleasant small patch of wetland north
of the road was the site of the dam impounding the waters of the River Leen to
power the mill.
To Start
From Hucknall station platform, turn via Baths Road to cross Station Road by the
Station Hotel into Linby Road. After about ½ mile the road passes over a level
crossing, then after another 700 yards, just after a turn (unsigned) for Linby village
on right, join the signed cycle/pedestrian path on the right which brings you to the
B6011, just east of a roundabout. Cross the B6011, onto the cycle path following blue
cycle route signs to Newstead, passing a wooden barrier. Just beyond a second
wooden access control barrier after about a mile, continue straight ahead and in
½ a mile or so, the path bears round to the right between two wooden fences to
join a tarred road.
Turn right on this road, past the gatehouse into Newstead Abbey grounds (note:
there is a charge to enter the Abbey grounds). Go straight ahead along a tree-lined
avenue for ½ mile or so, then between the stone pillars of another gateway. Continue
straight on, up a slope and then down to some lakes, with a waterfall on the left:
the remains of Newstead Abbey are on the right. The road sweeps round to the
left, then right, with traffic-calming humps, then climbs between rhododendrons to
the east gateway where the route leaves the Abbey grounds. Keep left at the small
grassed triangle after the park gates to the main road, A60.
Go straight over the A60 into Longdale Lane, which bears round to the right. After
about 2½ miles turn right at a minor crossroads, signed Papplewick Pumping
Station. Pass this Victorian pumping station on your right and follow the road for
about 1 mile to a ‘T’ junction. Turn right (unsigned) to traffic lights at the A60 junction
opposite the Seven-Mile Restaurant. Turn right on A60, signed Mansfield, over the
railway bridge, then first left into Forest Lane, B6011, signed Hucknall. Continue
for about 1½ miles to Papplewick, then left at the Griffin’s Head on B683, signed
Hucknall. After about 500yds, turn right into Papplewick Lane signed Hucknall. After
about 1 mile turn right into Station Road. Continue over the railway bridge, then
right just after the bridge into Linby Road and immediately right again into Station
Terrace in front of the Station Hotel, following signs for station to complete circuit
at Hucknall Station.
42
43
Lambley & Lowdham
Distance
15 miles
Terrain
Fairly flat with one steep hill, about two-fifths is off-road on bridleways - most of the
off-road section is along the banks on the River Trent; otherwise on minor roads.
Starting Point
Gunthorpe Bridge, north side of the River Trent (GR 681 437). You could also start in
Burton Joyce, Lambley or Lowdham.
This circular route to the east of Nottingham gives a chance to follow the north
bank of a rural section of the River Trent for some distance on easily rideable and
mainly grassy bridleways. Gunthorpe, where the route description starts, has been
the site of a crossing of the River Trent for millennia. Long before the first bridge
(which wasn’t built until 1875), and before the rapids were tamed with a weir and
lock, the Trent was fordable here. In Roman times it lay on a route between the
town of Margidvnvm Ion the Fosse Way between what are now East Bridgford and
Bingham) and the lead mines of Derbyshire. Later it was here that the Iceni tribal
queen Boudicca (or Boadicea) saw off the Romans’ Tenth Legion.
The first stretch of bridleway leads to Burton Joyce, then by way of quite a stiff climb
over the ridge to Lambley. There’s a particularly fine view of Lambley and the hills
and valleys behind it at the point where the bridleway crests the hill. Considering its
closeness to Nottingham, Lambley remains a secluded village nestling in the narrow
valley alongside the tumbling waters of the Cocker Beck. Its sheltered position must
have given it its name - the ‘lea’ or field in which lambs were raised. Like many
other Nottinghamshire villages, it grew in the early 19th Century with the advent of
cottage frame-knitting machines; local records number 381 in 1844!
The road beside the Cocker Beck leads gently down to Lowdham, a village separated
from its parish church by the main A6097, which the route crosses safely at traffic
lights. Lowdham Mill, to the north of the village, is one of the dozen which once
surrounded Lowdham; it is now a private house. The bridle path which the route
follows, passes close to the mill and its millpond, and you can see the mill race
where the wheel once turned. From Lowdham Mill the route follows very quiet by
roads until it reaches the Trent once more, to embark on a fine stretch of riverside
path through wide grassy meadows.
To Start
Start on the northern side of Gunthorpe Bridge over the River Trent and on the west
side of the main A6097, opposite the road leading to the hotel and lock. Go west
along the north bank of the river, taking the unsigned bridleway that follows the river
bank. Go through the anglers’ car park and straight on, along the riverside track,
for about a mile; the surface improves to a firm broad track, which then leaves the
bank of the river as the Trent meanders off to the south (although, after a further mile
or so, the two rejoin briefly before you bear inland towards Burton Joyce). Ignore
the minor surfaced road that comes in from the right, instead, continuing ahead
on along the track to cross the railway at the level crossing. The large vehicle gates
are normally shut; use the small swing gates to the side of them, then go straight
on at the far side to cross the main A612 into Meadow Lane, Burton Joyce. At the
‘T’ junction by Burton Joyce Methodists’ Church, turn left, then take the third minor
road on the right - Padleys Lane. Go up to the top of the road, left at the ‘T’ junction
into Foxhill Road, then at the next ‘T’ junction after a short way, right onto Bridle
44
45
Road which you follow up and over quite a steep hill, signed Stockhill Farm. The
surfaced road becomes an open grassy track which descends steeply across an
open field into Lambley.
When the track eventually emerges on to a tarred road, turn right and continue
along the valley of the Cocker Beck for a couple of miles into Lowdham Cross
straight over the dual carriageway (A6097) at the traffic lights into Ton Lane, which
leads into Lowdham. At the ‘T’ junction, almost opposite the old school building
which has a prominent clock, turn left onto Main Street (not signed at this point).
At the top end of Main Street (still unsigned) just before the road rejoins the dualcarriageway Lowdham bypass, A6097 and immediately before the ‘50’ speed
limit sign, turn right on what is obviously a short section of the old road by a small
silver birch tree. After about 40 yards, turn right into the entrance to Lowdham Mill
(signed public bridleway on a wooden finger post), then about 150 yards down this
track, go through the small white wicket gate to the right of the track, marked with
a blue bridleway arrow (the large white gates to the left mark the private entrance
to Lowdham Mill).
Ordnance Survey Maps
Landranger sheet 129 Nottingham and Loughborough.
Public Transport Links
Burton Joyce and Lowdham stations are on the Nottingham to Newark Line. Not all
services on this line stop at all the stations.
Other Routes
The westernmost point of this route, where the bridleway comes down to the road
in Lambley village, is only about 200yds from the nearest point of route 5, the
Woodborough rounds. Route 30, Daybrook to Southwell, uses the same roads as this
one between Gonalston and Hoveringham, while route 40, Newark to Nottingham,
passes on the south side of Gunthorpe Bridge.
This attractive little firm-surfaced path looks almost as though it’s going through
somebody’s garden as it goes over a little wooden bridge and then passes between
the lower mill pool on the left and a tennis court on the right, to emerge by the upper
millpond. After crossing a small stone bridge over a weir there is a second gate;
go through this and 150 yards later reach the tarred road.
Turn right on the road through Gonalston to a crossroads with the A612. Go straight
across on a minor road signed Hoveringham light traffic only. Go into Hoveringham
and at a ‘T’ junction with the church on the right, turn right (effectively straight on)
on Boat Lane, signed Caythorpe and Lowdham. After about 500 yards the road
meets the River Trent and turns sharp right to leave the river on the left, then about
400 yards later there is a car parking area on the left as the road bears to the right,
away from the Trent.
Go left through a white swing gate to join a bridleway which runs along the northern
bank of the river; there is no bridleway sign but the gate is by a board reading
‘Midland AS Private Fishing’. This bridleway is not so much a well-defined track as
an open grassy area popular with walkers and anglers. Pass through a number
of distinctive swing gates, keeping the river on your left, to reach a tarred path at
Gunthorpe Lock. Continue straight on to return to Gunthorpe Bridge over the Trent
where the route started.
46
47
Daybrook Square to Southwell
Distance
30 miles
Terrain
Entirely on-road, mainly quiet country lanes except for the first and last couple of
miles which are urban. For the most part gradients are fairly gentle, although the
ridge of Mapperley ‘Plains’ presents quite a stiff climb both at the start and towards
the finish of the route.
Starting Point
Daybrook Square, north-east Nottingham (GR 579 446)
This route starts in a north-east suburb of Nottingham but, once you are over the
considerable lump of the misleadingly named Mapperley ‘Plains’, is soon out
into gently rolling countryside, passing through some of the most attractive of
Nottinghamshire’s villages. Just over halfway, the route passes through the market
town of Southwell with its impressive Minster.
Heading back towards Nottingham, the route climbs up onto a ridge - Oxton Bank
- which affords grand views over surrounding valleys, which have been shaped
by numerous small rivers or ‘dumbles’. The route finally takes in Calverton, a large
mining village whose colliery was a victim of the coalfield closure programme in
the early 1990s.
Once across the main A6097, the route passes through the long attractive village of
Epperstone, then down a delightful open lane to Gonalston, another pretty village.
Gonalston is one of several Nottingham villages to have an elaborate forge with a
large horseshoe-shaped entrance of black brick.
The next two villages, Hoveringham and Thurgarton, lie on the flat flood plain of the
now tamed River Trent. Although Thurgarton lies astride the busy main Nottingham
to Southwell road, several of the little side roads are quiet attractive backwaters. One
of them, Beck Lane, leading from Hoveringham up to the main road, runs beside
the small and surprisingly clear stream that vies it its name, the houses that line it
being approached by a series of small bridges and, if you need to know the time,
the village clock on the main road appears, it was originally above Platform 4 at
Nottingham Station and was installed here by a lifelong railwayman when he retired.
The route reaches the River Trent at Fiskerton, at one time quite an important inland
port - the name is a Danish version of an Anglo-Saxon one meaning ‘the settlement
of the fishermen’.
48
In the early days of the Industrial Revolution, roads were very poor, railways had
not been invented and most goods traffic was by water. Convenient deep water
riversides such as Fiskerton were valuable for exporting Nottinghamshire’s mineral
wealth, and bringing in other goods in exchange. The river frontage still has
substantial piling and wharfage.
It’s only two or three miles from here to the pleasing little town of Southwell which
figures on several of our routes. (There’s more on Southwell in the description of
route 8).
After Oxton and its cobbled ford, the last village on the route before the built-up
area of Nottingham is Calverton. Expanded from its former modest size - around
a thousand inhabitants at the turn of the century - when mining came here as
late as 1952, it nevertheless has an earlier industrial history. In 1589 William Lee
of Calverton invented the stocking-knitters’ frame, later to become the nucleus of
a cottage industry throughout the county. The operators of these frames needed
good light to work by and several of the old cottages have the characteristic long
windows of frame-knitters’ homes. One fine example in Calverton is Windles Square,
almost opposite the foot of Bonner Hill from Woodborough, where the run of brick
cottages has recently been expertly restored. It was the threatened displacement
of these village hand industries by mechanised factories in the towns that sparked
off the Luddite riots of the early 19th Century.
To Start
With the Baptist Church in Daybrook Square behind you, turn left towards Arnold
town centre along Nottingham Road. After about ½ mile, at the first set of traffic
lights, turn right into Arnot Hill Road, turn left at the mini roundabout into Hallam’s
Lane. Continue along this road, which becomes Gedling Road, then Brookfield
Road. At the ‘T’ junction at the end of Brookfield Road, turn left opposite a parade of
shops - this is Rolleston Drive. After 600 yards, at the signal-controlled crossroads,
turn right up the hill - this is Coppice Road. There is a mini-roundabout at the
end of Coppice Road where you turn left onto Mapperley Plains. B684, signed to
Woodborough. When the road bears round to the left after about 1 mile, turn right,
again signed Woodborough. This attractive descent brings you to the western end
of Woodborough; turn right at the ‘T’ junction and continue to the eastern end of the
village and where the road bears to the right, turn left up Shelt Hill - opposite the
Nags Head. Follow this road for about three quarters of a mile until it reaches the
A6097, where you turn right and immediately left for Epperstone. Keep on this road
for some 2½ miles, through Epperstone to Gonalston. Passing through Gonalston
look out for the old forge on the left, then cross straight over the A612 and on
over a railway level crossing into Hoveringham. Just beyond St Michael’s Church,
49
turn left at the ‘T’ junction signed Thurgarton. Cross back over the railway at a
level crossing by Thurgarton station, then, where the road bears left, turn right into
Thurgarton.
At the junction with the main road, A623, turn right and right again after about
150yds - just past the Coach and Horses - Bleasby Road. A mile or so further on the
road swings round to the right and there is a short descent into Bleasby village. The
Wagon and Horses in Bleasby dates back to the 17th Century, and just beyond the
sign for this, turn left at a minor crossroads into Gypsy Lane. This lane meanders
between hedged fields; at the far end turn left, signed to Fiskerton. Just past the
Bromley Arms in Fiskerton, turn left into Station Road. Go over the level crossing at
Fiskerton Station, through Brinkley, past Southwell Garden Centre (which has a tea
shop). This road emerges - after some 2½ miles - on the outskirts of Southwell.
Turn left at the ‘T’ junction opposite the White Lion Inn, along Easthorpe, Southwell
Minster soon looms up on the left. at the end of this road, turn left at the mini
roundabout, opposite the Saracen’s Head, signed A612 Nottingham. Continue on
this road (ignoring the turn where the A612 is routed off to the left) as it becomes
Oxton Lane (B6386), and leaves Southwell. Climbing gradually over about 4 miles,
the road comes out at the top of a fairly steep descent, known as Oxton Bank.
Swoop down and continue along the valley bottom, taking the second turning on
the right -Sandy Lane - into Oxton to go through a little ford (there is a footbridge
you can wheel your bike over if you prefer). Just beyond the ford, turn left along
the aptly named Water Lane, a narrow and quite pretty little road beside a stream
which emerges opposite the Bridge Inn. Turn left into Main Street and immediately
right into Nottingham Road, B6386 (effectively straight on from Water Lane). Go
straight over at the roundabout, across the A6097, and along the B6386 signed
to Nottingham. Continue on for about 1 mile and at the minor crossroads, turn left
for Calverton, past a Scout camp site. After about 300 yards, turn right into Little
Flatts Lane, by the blue ‘Borough of Gedling/Calverton’ sign on the right-hand side
of the road. After about 400 yards Little Flatts Lane crosses Park Road in a dog-leg,
right and left crossing.
Calverton Road becomes Church Street shortly after this. At the end of Church
Street, by the Robin Hood and Little John and facing the County Library, turn right
at the mini roundabout into Cross Street (not signed at this point), then after about
100 yards at the traffic lights by Arnold Leisure Centre take the filter lane to turn left
and bypass the lights into High Street, Arnold, signed Nottingham (A60). Continue
along High Street then, at the traffic lights by the Greyhound Inn and Sainsbury’s,
go straight on to Nottingham Road to complete the circuit at the Baptist Church,
Daybrook Square.
Ordnance Survey Maps
Landranger sheets 120 Mansfield & Worksop and 129 Nottingham & Loughborough.
Public Transport Links
The nearest rail station to Southwell is Fiskerton on the Nottingham to Newark Castle
line, about 2½ miles south-east of Southwell. Fiskerton & Thurgarton & Bleasby on
the same line and also on the route, are request stops; trains stop there if you tell
the conductor when you get on, or give a hand signal as the train approaches. Not
all trains on this route will stop at Thurgarton, Bleasby or Fiskerton.
Other Routes
Route 20 Lambley & Lowdham, overlaps this one between Epperstone &
Hoveringham and route 22, Blidworth & Halam, crosses at Westhorpe and in the
centre of Southwell. Route 28 Southwell Trail and the Dumples, starts and finishes
at Southwell. Link Route L11 joins this route, from Fiskerton to Newark-on-Trent.
Continue on Little Flatts Lane for another 400 yards to a ‘T’ junction with Collyer Road
(not signed at this point) by the Co-op Shop. Turn right, then almost immediately
left into Mews Lane, in front of the Cherry Tree, a large roadhouse-style pub.
Where Mews Lane meets Main Street, Calverton, turn right and in about 30
yards turn left into George’s Lane, signed Arnold 3, to go up George’s Hill. This
is quite a tough climb, but with fine views to the left. At Dorket Head crossroads
at the top of the climb go straight on over the B684 into Calverton Road (not
named at this point), signed Arnold, to go down a quite steep hill. Just after the
Longbow Inn on the right towards the foot of the hill there is a ‘speed table’ - a
long brick-paved road hump to slow traffic outside the school - so take it steady!
50
51
A number of woods and bridlepaths are open to horse riders. Some allow free
range over an area and others offer a network of marked riding routes. Blidworth
Woods, once known as “Assart Woods” and Ravenshead Woods off Longdale Lane
are popular recreation spots with a network of waymarked walks and a separate
set of horse riding trails. A permit is required for all horse riding.
Riding Schools/Livery Stables
There are several riding schools and livery yards within the borough. Details can
be obtained through local telephone directories.
Horse Riding
in the Borough of Gedling
53
Forestry Commission Land
The Forestry Commission, will licence riders thus allowing them to use their land.
The locations listed below are closest to the Borough of Gedling:
Clipstone
Blidworth
Thieves Wood
Harlow Wood
Haywood Oaks
With thanks to the following organisations for their invaluable help in the production
of this booklet.
Countryside Commission.
Rambling Association, Gedling Division
Cycling - (Pedals)
Nottinghamshire County Council with the support of the Countryside Commission
produce a variety of free self guided walks and rides leaflets.
For advice and information contact:
For further information please contact the Forestry Commission on 01623 8122447.
Circular Bridleways
The Rights of Way Section, Department of Planning and Economic Development,
Nottinghamshire County Council, Trent Bridge House, Fox Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham NG2 6BJ
Circular Bridleways are available close to the Borough’s boundaries, however none
actually exist within. Information and route maps are available from Nottinghamshire
County Council Countryside Access Department on (0115) 9772166.
Tel: 0844 980 80 80
Existing Rides available close to the Borough of Gedling are:
The Forestry Commission, Forest Enterprise, Sherwood & Lincs. Forest District,
Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts NG21 9JL.
Epperstone Park to Southwell Minster
Southwell Trail
Cresswell to Carburton
Clumber to Crockford
Bestwood Country Park
Details of Forest Walks in Sherwood can be obtained from:
Tel: 01623 822 447.
The Guide features trails that can be discovered by foot, bicycle or even horseback.
A leaflet detailing bridleways within Bestwood Country Park can be obtained from
the Park Office, Bestwood Lodge Drive, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 8PD, telephone
(0115) 9273674
54
55
Notes
56
The Country Code Says:
• Keep dogs under control
• Leave no litter
• Keep to paths across farm land
• Protect wildlife and plants
• Do not damage fences,
hedges, gates and walls