5 Winter Walks in Nottinghamshire and the Peaks

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It may be tempting to hibernate indoors through the chilly winter weather, but these five walks, ranging from simple to strenuous, provide a way to enjoy the countryside even in the snow and mud.

1. Wollaton Hall Deer Park



**Recommended for: an afternoon stroll with the family
Difficulty: easy
Time estimate: 60 minutes**

Just outside of Nottingham city centre, this sixteenth-century house with its 500 acres of open space is a popular local attraction. Deer roam freely around the grounds providing a nice natural escape in such an urban area.



Gardens and wooded areas surround the house itself along with a neighbouring golf course. A lakeside path loops the entire lake and takes approximately an hour to complete. The far side of the lake provides nice views of the Hall and surrounding park.





When: All year round; see website for specific opening times of the Hall
Phone: 0115 915 3900
Where: Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, NG8 2AE

2. Attenborough Nature Reserve



**Recommended for: family-friendly and popular with dog walkers
Difficulty: easy
Time estimate: 1-2 hours**

Like Wollaton Hall, Attenborough Nature Reserve is located just outside of the busy urban area of Nottingham city centre. It has an award-winning nature centre and miles of accessible walking trails. The trails are carefully designed for visitors and provide wildlife viewing areas and educational signposting for visitors of all ages. The BBC Wildlife Magazine placed it in the top ten eco-destinations in the world.



The reserve originally was a series of gravel pits, which were flooded after mining ceased. The flooded pits quickly became serene habitat for animal and plant life.



Plan your visit
Phone: 0115 972 1777
Where: Barton Ln, Beeston, Attenborough, Nottingham NG9 6DY

3. The Major Oak Trail, Sherwood Forest



**Recommended for: fun family day out in Robin Hood's woods
Difficulty: easy
Time estimate: 60 minutes**

There are various routes and walks through the remains of Sherwood Forest . Visitors can really make the experience their own by incorporating ancient oaks, diverse landscapes, and sites associated with Robin Hood.



The Major Oak is the most iconic of all the trees in the forest. According to legend, this 800-year old tree was the meeting place for Robin and his men, as well as the hiding place for Charles I at the onset of the English Civil War. The massive tree is still healthy and growing, but has been supported by scaffolding for many years due to its great age and size. The short walk includes part of Sherwood Forest, the visitor's centre with the Major Oak as the main attraction.

See Plan your Visit for location and opening details.

4. Ilam Hall to Dovedale Stepping Stones



**Recommended for: a muddy walk with great scenery
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Time estimate: 60 minutes **

This short walk starts at Ilam Hall , passes through sheep fields with views across to Manifold Valley, and ends at the Dovedale Stepping Stones.





Hiking paths surrounded by limestone cliffs run along the River Dove. The riverside paths are accessible to walkers of all abilities, but more challenging routes around Thorpe Cloud or through the river itself are available.

The route begins at Ilam Park, Ilam, Derbyshire, DE6 2AZ



5. Hathersage to Eyam



**Recommended for: energetic walk incorporating geology and history
Difficulty: moderate to strenuous
Time estimate: 2-3 hours **

Hathersage is a small Derbyshire village in the Peak District. The village sits near the River Derwent on the border of Sheffield and Derbyshire. It is a popular starting off place for several different walks into the surrounding moorlands, including North Lees Hall , Stanage Edge , and other geological formations .

The walk will take you to the historical 'plague village' of Eyam. The village gets its name from an occurrence of the Bubonic Plague (Black Death) in the mid-17th century. The residents volunteered to go into isolation to prevent the plague from spreading to neighbouring villages. Half the population of the village died, but the isolation was effective. The history and self-sacrifice of the villagers are commemorated in plague stones outside of the village, preserved cottages, and a museum .



There are many possible routes. When I did the walk, we did not have a particular plan other than following GPS. But for a more structured approach, see the following for suggested routes: Explore Buxton , DalesTrails , Hathersage Circular , [LINK=http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/eyam-walking-route]Eyam GPS walking and cycling routes
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