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Sherwood Forest Route
Route Summary - Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest, Market Warsop, Redbrick House, Maun Valley, Old Clipstone, Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe.
Grade - moderate
Distance - 24km
Start Grid Reference - SK 625672
Route Description
The route starts at the Sherwood Forest carpark just outside the village of Edwinstowe. Follow the bridleway which goes north-west along the edge of the open park land and is signed for Gleadthorpe. You soon enter the forest and the way is marked by little horsehoe bridleway markers, but watch out as they can be hidden in the undergrowth and we wouldn't want anyone to get lost would we? The excellent track makes its way through pleasant mixed woodland and after a while narrows to a delightful single track. Eventually you come to a wide forestry road, where you bear right (N). Follow the main track downhill slightly (a bridleway sign) and along the edge of the forest with Budby South Forest clearing on your right. After about 1km you come to a forestry cross-roads and you go left. The route descends, crosses over another track and then climbs uphill slightly. Where the main track bears left you continue straight on (right). Continue on where there is a bridleway sign and along the edge of the wood. The narrow track does lots of fun twists and turns and eventually comes to the end of the wood. Continue along the right-hand edge of the field on a reasonable track, soon to join a green lane which descends. At a cross-roads of tracks, carry straight on and down Broomhill Lane. This takes you past a sewage works and over a bridge and down to a small lane.
Bear left at the lane and just past Burns Farm you will see a bridleway on your left. Go through the gate, up a narrow lane and then join a good farm track. Follow this and, shortly after going under a railway bridge, you will see a bridleway sign on your left. Turn right here and take the long climb up and over the hill. This continues on another green lane along the edge of a field. Where the track bears right continue straight on up a sand dune type hill. This track will take you back over the railway line and into the outskirts of Market Warsop. Trying to look reak cool hurtle down to the main B6035 where you will see Sherwood Street school across the road. Turn left here and then take the second right onto Oakfield Lane. Continue along Oakfield Lane and after passing some houses and a railway bridge the road because a rough farm track. Pass a waste disposal site to continue along the track and back into the Nottinghamshire countryside.
The lane becomes a wide sand and gravel track which climbs gently towards and then goes along the side of some woods. You arrive at the main A6075 by the side of the Redbrick House Hotel, where you go right. After less than 1km you will see a layby on your left and a bridleway. Follow the bridleway down the edge of the wood. The delightful track descends by the edge of the wood and wends its way through a nature reserve rich in bracken, broom and wild flowers. Too soon you leave the woods and continue down the edge of the meadow (watch out for the horses grazing, your sudden appearance may make them jump), through a small copse and arrive at a junction of bridleways. Turn left and follow the sandy track which eventually turns right and goes down to the bottom of the valley by the River Maun. The track goes sharp left and then follows along-side the river and with a series of pools on your left. This is a favourite fishing spot. After about 1km the track comes to a caravan site and you turn right, go over the river via a bridge, and climb up into the woods. Where the track forks you bear right and soon arrive at a bridleway which runs along the edge of the wood. Go left here and follow the track past the riding stables at Cavendish Lodge, then onto tarmac and down Squires Lane and into Old Clipstone.
At the T-junction in the village go right and up to the main B6030 where you go left for Ollerton. Follow the main road round for only a short distance until you see a bridleway on your left, just before and opposite the Dog and Duck pub. Follow the bridleway, which bears right, goes under a railway bridge and then turns left under a second railway bridge. This is Clipstone Junction. The track takes you down to Forge Bridge over the River Maun and then climb up towards some woods. As you enter the woods you will see the rather incongruous Archway House ahead, once used as a hunting lodge, but now a private house.
Continue on past Archway House and at the main A6075, cross over and enter the woods at the bridleway signs. Turn right as soon as you enter the wood. The track swings left and takes you along a wide and straight forest ride. After 3/4km a track crosses your path and you go right and along a bridleway that follows the edge of the wood. Eventually you reach the track that you started out on and, after bearing right, you return to the carpark.
Sherwood Forest Country Park & Visitor Centre - information
Opening Times - Country Park open daily, dawn to dusk. Visitor Centre April - October Daily 10.30 - 17.00 Nov. - March Daily 10.30 - 16.30.
Car Parking - A charge applies at various times of the year. Free parking all year round for coaches or disabled badge holders. Disabled Access Surfaced paths to the Major Oak and access to all buildings in the Visitor Centre. Disabled toilet. Wheelchair and electric vehicle available for loan (please pre-book).
Getting There - By Road : The Country Park is B6034, just north of the village of Edwinstowe. Follow brown tourist signs from the roundabout at Ollerton on the A614. By Bus: Ring the Buses Hotline on (0115) 924 000 or (01777) 710550.
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