A short drive away, I have found a lovely easy Sunday ride that takes you through the centre of the beautiful Clumber Park in the heart of Robin Hood land. Although don’t be fooled, with a little bit of planning this short loop can be added to plenty of other more gruelling long distance rides. I’ve added it to a longer loop through the majority of parks or forests in the area, the furthest being Thoresby Park. Alternatively, park at Clumber and take part of the loop through to Newstead Abbey and back. Enough about other routes, lets focus on this loop.

The route starts outside the park and follows route 6 right to the heart of the park. It has a climb within the first 5 minutes but then is pretty flat for the rest of route. The downside is its not a full loop in its entirety, so it’s into the centre, around the lake and back out of the centre the same way.

To start, park at the lakes managed by Severn Trent water on Netherfield Lane just outside Medan Vale. There isn’t an official car park as it is a lane but there is space for about six cars, and it doesn’t get too busy. It’s a great spot as it’s right on route 6, so as previously mentioned if you fancy you can go south through Sherwood Forest, Sherwood Pines and to Newstead Abbey , but that’s a different story.

Once the bikes are out the car and ready, head north across the Netherfield Lane Road and into the trees. Unfortunately, the first half a mile is uphill, actually quite long, and steep, especially if you bring little ones along. Once you reach the summit there are no major hills until coming back and hitting this one on the other side, although it’s a lot more gradual the other way.

Next is a nice downhill to the A616. Only a short section but nice. Cross over the road and through the gates. The trail heads right, parallel with the road for a short time. Go along a narrow trail with woods on the left and fields on the right. Through the summertime this can be overgrown with nettles so be careful of those stings to the legs. It’s not long before reaching another road, the B6034.

Cross over the road and through the car park. This is another great place to park if you want a shorter ride or even a walk to Clumber Park. From here it’s about two and a half miles to the centre of Clumber Parkand the café. It’s a really nice five mile walk to the café and back, with the option of a rest and a cup off coffee. It’s even better if you do the walk in Autumn as there are bunches of chestnut trees along the way with the ground covered in chestnuts. We often go to collect a haul ready for roasting and eating.

On the bike the next mile and a half is flat solid route 6 trail, brilliant for young kids to cycle, and older kids who are looking for an easier mosey about. When it’s time to turn you’ll pass a house on the left and come to a set of signs with route 6 pointing left. Head left, swirling through the trees and with only a few metres out onto a lane with the entrance to the house you passed in front of you. Head along the lane, you can only go one way, but it’s right as you exit the trees. This lane takes you straight to the Clumber Park Lake, trending down hill. Not much pedalling required.

After about three quarters of a mile you will see the lake and a bridge. It’s key to remember this point for later as you appear here from the right when you have been around the lake, but for now carry straight on up and over the bridge. Head straight on the road for about two hundred and fifty metres before reaching a crossroad. Turn right, travelling parallel with the lake on the right. This path takes you into the centre of Clumber Park where the hustle and bustle is. The courtyard isn’t visible straight away as you have to go around a couple of gates, veer left and then right on to a small path on the right (past the toilets). You come out of the path onto the central courtyard with the café straight in front of you. Four miles into the ride and if this is a casual Sunday ride, then it’s a good place to have a break and a bite to eat.

Once you’ve had a look round, head through the gates, on the opposite side of the courtyard to the lake, and up to the shop. Go left just before the shop and out the courtyard with the car park in front. A quick turn right, so the car park is on your left, and you will be on the track to head past the bike hiring shop and out of the hustle and bustle of the Clumber Park centre. Go straight ahead, through the gates and around the field, sticking on the trail. Then comes an interesting little section. You’ll reach a small wood where the trail ahead takes a sharp up hill through the wood. For those not used to biking this could challenge you. At the top you reach the five-mile mark and the exit to the wood is on to another smooth clumber park lane. Shoot right on to the lane with the water from the lake ahead. Without realising it you’ll soon be on a bridge going across the water. This is normally a great place for a photo, I have loads from here with differing weather scenarios, the best being a misty version just showing the tree poking out of the water.

On the other side of the water, veer right through a small car park and onto a trail that continues at the side of the lake, with the lake still on your right. This is often busy with walkers and a little patients is required, but not for long as the trail widens so you can pass easily. Follow the path around the lake for another half a mile. Eventually as you look right the lake opens out so you can see the full length, another great photo opportunity. It then takes a dramatic swing right onto the southeast side of the lake and out into the open. This side is about a mile in length with a few bumps and short lumps to negotiate, continue parallel to the lake all the way. Although at one point you have to stick to the bike trail which takes you slightly away from the edge. Again, keep your eyes peeled right across the other side of the lake as you will see the church across the water in all its glory.

After cycling the southeast side of the lake you’ll come out of the trail into another small car park, still with the lake on the right. This joins back to the set of crossroads and bridge that you passed through earlier in the ride. This time instead of going over the bridge to the right take a left onto route 6 to head back up the lane you cycled down earlier. This is about seven and a half miles into the ride. Be wary as it looks flat, but it has a slightly deceiving incline.

At the top of the lane, you’ll reach the house you passed early, which indicates a left turn into the small section of swirling wood. Out of the wood and right onto the lovely flat route 6 trail you rode on the way into Clumber. This time the house on the right. After one and half miles it is back across the B6034 and onto the narrow nettle trail for half a mile. You will come upon the A616, cross it to complete the final section including the lovely downhill to take you back across Netherfield Lane and to the car.

A simple lovely eleven mile ride that most people can do. I especially recommend you try this one in Autumn or early in the morning before a frost as melted away. It brings out best scenery. Let me know how you get on.

Check out some of my other favourite routes in and around Robin Hood land:

The Kitchener Trail

Summer bike to Thoresby

Biking in Sherwood Pines