Attractions and Places To See around Snarestone - Top 20

Snarestone is on the edge of the National Forest, offering access to extensive woodlands. You can visit Horseshoe Lake in Sence Valley Forest Park, which transformed a former opencast coal mining site into a haven for wildlife with short walks around the lake and through the woods. The historic Ashby Canal, with its notable Snarestone Tunnel, is also a popular spot for tranquil walks and wildlife spotting. Both the Ashby Canal and the River Mease are recognized as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their diverse aquatic plant life and various dragonfly species.

Within Snarestone, you can visit St Bartholomew's Church, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 13th century, admired for its stained glass windows and bell tower. The village also has a designated Snarestone Conservation Area, covering approximately 5.6 hectares and including nine listed buildings that reflect its rich cultural and architectural heritage. The Old Crown Inn, dating back to the 1700s, is Snarestone's oldest pub and a historical point of interest.

For family outings, Moira Furnace and Canal offers a visitor's center, museum, and a children's play area alongside the canal. Horseshoe Lake in Sence Valley Forest Park provides easy walks suitable for families. Additionally, the Skills Area at Snibston Colliery Park offers trails and a skills area, and the park itself has a cafe and museum detailing its mining history, making it an engaging spot for all ages.

The Ashby Canal is a popular spot for walkers. A significant feature is the 400-yard Snarestone Tunnel, where the canal passes beneath Main Street. You can find easily accessible footpaths along the canal, particularly near Moira Furnace and Canal, which lead to nearby woodlands like Donisthorpe and connect to the Ivanhoe Way. The Ashby Canal Association (ACA) Wharf in Snarestone also serves as a base with an information kiosk and souvenir shop.

Moira Furnace and Canal is a historical site located near the old mining town of Moira. It features a visitor's center, museum, and play area. Notably, it is said to be the inspiration for 'The Mines of Moria' in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The canal itself offers lovely walks, with trails leading to adjacent forest areas and past the Moira lime kilns.

Yes, you can visit Ashby de la Zouch Castle, an imposing royalist stronghold now in ruins. This castle gained recognition after being featured in Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe in 1819. It is managed by English Heritage and offers a glimpse into 15th-17th century history.

Yes, the area around Snarestone offers several options for cycling and mountain biking. You can explore routes like the 'Hicks Lodge Trail – Shell Brook Trail loop' or the 'Moira Furnace – Shell Brook Trail loop'. For more detailed routes and information, you can check the dedicated guides for Gravel biking around Snarestone and MTB Trails around Snarestone.

The Ashby Canal, particularly the section between Snarestone and Carlton, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known for its diverse aquatic plant life and various dragonfly species. Sence Valley Forest Park, a former opencast coal mining site, has been transformed into a haven for wildlife, offering opportunities for spotting various species in its woodlands and around Horseshoe Lake.

Snarestone is home to The Old Crown Inn, the village's oldest pub, which has a history stretching back to the 1700s. Near Moira Furnace and Canal, you'll find a cafe, and Snibston Colliery Park also has a cafe. These spots provide convenient options for refreshments during your visit.

The spring and summer months are ideal for enjoying the outdoor attractions like the Ashby Canal and Sence Valley Forest Park, when the weather is pleasant for walking and wildlife is active. The village also hosts local events like Snarefest in August and Rubber Duck Races in spring and autumn, which can add to the visitor experience.

The Skills Area at Snibston Colliery Park is part of a park that transformed a former coal mining site into an ecologically diverse area. It offers bike trails and a skills area for cyclists, alongside colliery buildings and machinery. The park also features a cafe and a museum where you can learn more about the region's mining history.

Snarestone hosts an annual festival called Snarefest, which typically takes place every August. Additionally, residents often organize rubber duck races on a nearby stream in the spring and autumn to raise funds for village improvements. Historically, summer fetes with street parades were also a feature. For current event details, it's best to check local community listings closer to your visit.

St Helen's Church in Ashby de la Zouch has a history dating back to the 11th century, with the core of the present building mainly from 1474. It was rebuilt and enlarged by William Hastings, who also erected the tower at the nearby castle. The church has undergone several refurbishments and rebuilds over the centuries, reflecting its long-standing importance to the community.