Warsop Web - Warsop walks

Walks Around Warsop

The parish of Warsop is a superb area for enjoying wildlife and the countryside. The Introduction to the Warsop Walks notes mention some of the best places and which paths can be used to reach them. There are currently 9 walks. Paths are numbered as on the definitive map (e.g. FP1 is Footpath no 1 and BW16 is bridleway no 16)

The following Warsop Walks maps are also available as pdf's for you to download and print.

Walk 1 - North-east to Budby Drive - (download pdf)
Walk 2 - Over the hill to Cuckney - (download pdf)
Walk 3 - North into the woods - (download pdf)
Walk 4 - Around Westfield Farm - (download pdf)
Walk 5 - Between Market Warsop and Church Warsop - (download pdf)
Walk 6 - Warsop Vale and Sookholme Moor - (download pdf)
Walk 7 - Warsop’s western trails - (download pdf)
Walk 8 - Into Birklands - (download pdf)
Walk 9 - South to Mansfield Woodhouse - (download pdf)

Introduction to the Warsop Walks (download pdf)

Favourite places
• Spring Lane (BW16) is an ancient sunken lane.
• Hammerwater Bridge (Byway 43) crosses the River Meden in a quiet spot that is excellent for watching wildlife.
• The Hills and Holes (FP6) are an old quarry site with excellent displays of summer wildflowers.
• The beech woods (at the eastern end of BW32)
• The old trees of Birklands forest (FP22) including ancient oaks
• The hedges alongside Sookholme Lane (Byway 43) are some of the oldest in the area
• Lord Stubbins Wood (FP14) is atmospheric ancient woodland

Protected wildlife sites - Warsop is fortunate to have four protected areas, two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and two Local Nature Reserves (LNR).
• Hills & Holes SSSI (FP6). These former quarries are some of the best limestone plant communities in Nottinghamshire and are valuable for a wide range of wildlife.
• Lord Stubbins Wood SSSI (FP14) is an ancient coppiced woodland with a remarkable atmosphere
• The Carrs LNR (FP2, FP3) is a wildlife corridor alongside the River Meden.
• The Bottoms LNR in Meden Vale includes wetlands beside the River Meden providing a habitat for birds and amphibians. Willdlife
• Excellent bird watching locations include Hammerwater Bridge over the River Meden (Byway43) and the paths near Burns Farm (BW27/FP28/BW29)
• The flowers on the Hills and Holes (FP6) In May the display of bluebells in Collier Spring Wood (BW8/FP9/FP10)
• In autumn fungi can be seen in many areas including the woodland near BW32
• The River Meden is now one of the cleanest rivers in the area and fish can be seen from the bridges on FP2, BW5, Byway43, FP35 and BW33.
• Water voles may also be seen along the River Meden
• Bats can be viewed at dusk in many areas, particularly near the river on FP2.

Views - Fine views over the parish can be seen from
• Cuckney Hill (FP1)
• Near Peafield Lane (FP17)
• Warsop Vale Viewpoint
• Upper Cross Lane (BW25)
• Ling Lane (BW24)

Parks and Greens - These areas provide easy walking on good paths
• The Carrs (FP2)
• Church Warsop Doorstep Green (BW7)
• Warsop Vale reclaimed pit site (BW13)
• Shirebrook Woods (Byway52)

Historical sites
• Parliament Oak (across Peafield Lane opposite the end of BW21) King John is said to have sat under the Parliament Oak when he convened an emergency council in 1212 and it is alleged that Edward l held a meeting of Parliament there in 1290.
• Thynghowe (now known as Hanger Hill, alongside FP22 in Birklands Forest) is believed to have been used as an ancient meeting place as far back as Anglo-Saxon times and possibly further.
• Water meadows (along the River Meden, crossed by BW33). You can still see the ditches and stonework used by theWelbeck Estate to flood the land alongside the river to improve its fertility.
• Roman tile kiln (beside the spring at Sookholme Bath, next to Byway 52). It is believed that tiles were produced at this site for the nearby Roman villa at Mansfield Woodhouse.
• The woodlands to the east and north of Warsop were extensively used by the army during the second World War and only left the Birklands Forest during the 1960s. Ammunition dumps and a machine gun post may still be seen.

Who can use each type of path?
• Footpaths may be used by walkers and also people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
• Bridleways are for walkers, users of mobility vehicles and horse riders. Cyclists may use bridleways but must give way to walkers and horse riders.
• Byways are mainly used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders but motor vehicles may have access, subject to restrictions.

The Countryside Code
• Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
• Keep dogs under close control
• Consider other people

Warsop Footpaths & Countryside Group
We are a community voluntary group who aim to-
• maintain the local footpath network
• undertake conservation work
• promote enjoyment and understanding of the local countryside
• organise a programme of walks.