Pleasley Vale
A walk through the dramatic magnesian limestone landscape where the River Meden powered the imposing mills between stretches of a more natural river upstream and downstream.
The car park at Pleasley Pit Country Park is reached by taking the exit for Pleasley from the A617 roundabout then turning right onto Pit Lane. From the car park follow the Archaeological Way signs through Pleasley village to join the path alongside the River Meden. Pass beneath the A617 and follow the river before turning right at the Archaeology Way signpost to ascend to the track of the old railway.
After passing the mills road walking may be avoided by taking a parallel path through the edge of the woodlands. This path descend to the bridge over the river after the closed car park.
The section through Little Matlock may be muddy and there is often livestock in the field on the north side of the river.
The length of the marked walk is around 5 and a half miles but there are options to shorten the walk by omitting the section through Little Matlock or by taking the footpath between the railway path and Outgang Lane.
The River Meden through Pleasley Vale has powered industrial activity for many centuries. The first forge was operating in the vale around 1600 and a corn mill is believed to have been built in Pleasley village around the 17th or 18th century. Two forges ceased working with the construction of the first textile mills in the late 1700s. Mills continued operating until 1987 and they now house a range of industrial and commercial businesses.
Click on this link to download walk description as a pdf SFBW Pleasley Vale
Warsop Carrs
A walk along the banks of the River Meden past the mill dam and through The Carrs local nature reserve.
The Carrs car park is reached from the A60, opposite the mill.
From the car park next to the mill dam follow the riverside paths to Stone Bridge, crossing the river at the second bridge. Return by the same route or explore the other paths in the area.
The distance between the car park and Stone Bridge is almost 1 mile.
Unfortunately Stone Bridge is no longer built from stone but the replacement bridge gives fine views upstream over the Hills & Holes Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Warsop Mill was mentioned in the Domesday Book although the present building dates from 1767. The name Carrs refers to the wet land alongside the river although, since the river was dredged, the land is now much drier. If you are lucky you may spot a kingfisher or a water vole along this section of the river.
Click on this link to download walk description as a pdf SFBW Carrs
The Bottoms
A short walk around a local nature reserve past natural stretches of the River Meden.
The Bottoms is reached from the road between Church Warsop and Budby. The car parks are between the village of Meden Vale and the River Meden. The best car park for this walk is next to the garage and shop, opposite Eastlands School.
Follow the mown paths to reach sections of the meandering river.
A walk around this part of The Bottoms is less than a mile in length.
Muggle Ford is an ancient river crossing named on old maps. The Bottoms Local Nature Reserve contains wet deciduous woodland with good riverside habitats along the River Meden which runs through the reserve. Birds that may be seen along the river include the Kingfisher.
Click on this link to download walk description as a pdf SFBW Bottoms
Thoresby Park
A short walk through the tranquil parkland between Thoresby Hall and Perlethorpe.
To reach the car park turn off Netherfield Lane, following the signs to the Courtyard and Museum. Park near to The Courtyard (where there is a cafe, shops and toilets).
Leave the car park and walk past Thoresby Hall before turning left behind the cricket pavilion to follow the deer fence and then the riverbank (do not cross the first bridge). Turn right to cross the second bridge keeping to the road, then bear left at the junctions. Turn left before the church following a path through the woods to return to the bridge before taking the paths across the lawns to return to the courtyard.
The marked route is about 1.5 miles.
The Thoresby estate was acquired by Robert Pierrepont, 1st Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull in 1633. Fifty years later the 4th Earl was granted the right to create a park by enclosing land from Sherwood Forest. The 5th Earl became the 1st Duke of Kingston in 1715 but following the death of the 2nd Duke the title became extinct and the the Thoresby lands passed to the Duke’s nephew who was granted the title of Earl Manvers in 1806. The estate is still owned by members of the Pierrepont family.
Coningswath
A walk to Coningswath (The King’s Ford) with views of the meandering River Maun before it meets the River Meden at Conjure Alders.
Park on roadside on the corner of Boughton Brake and head north along the bridleway. Pause at the spots where there are fine views over the River Maun.
Coningswath is often very muddy!
The walk from Boughton Brake to Coningswath is about a mile and a half.
Click on this link to download walk description as a pdf SFBW Coningswath
Map Key
Sherwood Forest Riverside Walks 