Long Walks - Wollaton

Status:	Active, open to new members
Convenor:	John M
Group email:	Long Walks group
When:	Monthly 1st week, days vary

The group have been on monthly walks since April 2019, covering countryside areas around Nottingham and into East Derbyshire and North Leicestershire. The walks have varied, being either circular (using shared cars) or occasionally linear (using public transport). We do not allow dogs on the walks.

Walks are 6 to 9 miles long, up to an hour away by road. Monthly walks are planned for the first week of each month, but on varying days. A calendar is circulated annually. Our pace is comfortable for relatively fit walkers. The emphasis however is on enjoyment and friendship not speed! We stop for a packed lunch on route. Members are welcome to plan and lead walks if they feel confident to do so.

The Group has a few places available. if you are interested in joining us, please contact using the email link above.

The Next Walk:

Forthcoming events

1st September 2026

Group event

Tuesday 1st September 2026

The September Long Walk will be led by Julie in the Dale Abbey area. Further details to be circulated.

Provisional Long Walk Calendar 2026

Tuesday 6th January	Wednesday 4th Feb.	Thursday 5th March	Tuesday 7th April
Wednesday 6th May	Monday 1st June	Thursday 2nd July	Monday 3rd August
Tuesday 1st September	Wednesday 7th Oct.	Thursday 5th November	Monday 7th December

2026 Walk Reports:

Sadly, slippery conditions led to the January 6th walk being cancelled.
We found a fortunate break in the succession of rainy days for our walk on Wednesday February 4th. Ten members met up at Rushcliffe Country Park and did a circular walk of around six miles, firstly following the heritage railway before crossing it and walking to the interesting village of Bunny. Here we had a lunch break in the Village Green and a photo in front of the Church, before heading back to the Country Park via Bradmore village. A few glimpses of brightness helped, although much of the walk was on muddy paths, but the group enjoyed the outing.
16 group members were met up in Straw’s bridge car park, Ilkeston, on a glorious early spring day on Thursday March 5th. It was a warm day, the paths had largely dried up and the sky was blue. We followed an undulating circular walk of just over 8 miles, led by Isobel. The walk took us via the Nutbrook Trail and Shipley Lake to the site of Shipley Hall, where we had our lunch break, before continuing on to the Shipley Park Visitors Centre. We then returned via Mapperley Reservoir to our cars, tired but joyous. Many thanks to Isobel for a great day out.
Peter led a group of ten on the 4th stage of the Robin Hood Way on Tuesday April 7th. The weather was amazing for early April with blue skies all day. We met at the Victoria Bus Station and took the 3 to the County Boundary stop, before starting our walk by entering Leen Valley Country Park and round Mill ponds, where our group photo was taken. The route then took us along the top edge of Bestwood Village and through Bestwood Park, where we had a coffee stop. By this time the day was getting pleasantly warm. We then headed north and on through Killarney Park mobile home village and then West across pleasant countryside back to the B 683, which we followed north for about 1000m to Papplewick, where we had a lunch stop. The final leg took us East across more open countryside to Burnstump and the Indigo bus back to town. The walk was about 7.5 miles and everyone had a great walk. Thanks to Peter for leading the walk.
John led the walk on Wednesday 6th May. 14 group members met at Mount St Bernard’s Abbey at 10.00 and made a prompt start. After a visit to the Monastery Church and a climb up to its Calvary Hill, we set out on the walk proper. The weather was kind, with some sunny intervals and no rain. After dropping down through pleasant woodland, still with masses of bluebells out, we crossed Blackbrook reservoir and after a short section by a minor road entered Mellors Wood, which is being developed as part of the National Forest. We had a quick coffee stop, before crossing the road and passing Fenney Windmill. The route took us across fields to the west of the reservoir and out onto another minor road. We stopped for lunch in High Cademan woods before skirting Whitwick and climbing through woodland and above a huge stone quarry (Whitlock Quarry). Dropping down, with views of the Abbey tower to the north, John’s slight navigation blip added a little bit to the distance travelled. With one group member suffering from back pain, we eventuallyd made it back to our cars, after covering about 7.5 miles. Thanks to all group members who showed care and consideration to our member in a bit of pain, Overall another good walk.
.Monday June 1st. Peter led a group of 8 members on another stage of the Robin Hood Way. We met up at the Victoria Centre bus station and travelled north, courtesy of the Pronto. The group enjoyed the views from the top deck! The linear route, of about 6 miles took us on well made paths,, skirting Papplewick and Newstead Abbey, where we had a coffee stop. We made good time to Thieves Wood, where we ate our lunches, before continuing to the bus stop on Mansfield Road (Portland College) for our return journey. Enjoyed by all. Many thanks to Peter for leading the walk.
Thursday July 2nd. A fantastic day for a walk after the end of the heatwave! Not too hot , but sunny with a refreshing breeze. 9 group members met at Greasley Church for a circular walk of 6 to 7 miles, led by Deborah. Crossing fields and through woods, with good views to the north, the route took us along the side of Moorgreen Reservoir to Colliers Wood for our lunch break, before the final leg across more fields to Greasley Church and its Teashop! Our thanks to Deborah for organising the walk.
Monday August 3rd. The planned walk was cancelled at short notice due to reports of a wildfire in Harlow Wood, which was on the planned route. To be rearranged at a late4 date.