Attractions and Places To See around Clowne - Top 20

Clowne offers a variety of natural landscapes. You can visit Rother Valley Country Park, a 740-acre park with four artificial lakes and reed beds, perfect for leisure activities and walks. Another option is Shirebrook Wood, a picturesque woodland with mature trees, meadows, and a scenic wetland valley. The area also features Markham and Hollin Hill Grips, rocky valleys designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Harlesthorpe Dam.

Yes, Clowne has a rich history. You can explore the 12th-century Church of St John the Baptist with its Norman-style elements, or see the medieval Clowne Cross. The Anchor Inn and Sheridon's Yard offer a glimpse into 17th-century rural life. Don't miss the Clowne War Memorial, and the site of the former Clowne South Station, which the Clowne Local History Society is actively restoring. Additionally, Dead Man's Hole is a small cave where ancient flint tools and animal bones from the Ice Age were discovered.

For families, Rother Valley Country Park is an excellent choice, offering cable water skiing, a narrow-gauge railway, and well-maintained paths. Shirebrook Wood provides a lovely setting for walks amidst nature. The Five Pits Trail and the Trans Pennine Trail: Brimington to Staveley Section are multi-use trails suitable for family cycling and walking, offering traffic-free routes and scenic views.

Clowne boasts several excellent trails. The Five Pits Trail is a popular multi-use gravel track, great for cycling and walking. The Trans Pennine Trail: Brimington to Staveley Section offers a smooth, quiet route along an old railway line. You can also explore the Clowne Linear Park and Clowne Greenway, both built along disused railway lines, providing nature and history trails. For more detailed routes, check out the running trails or cycling routes around Clowne.

Yes, the Markham and Hollin Hill Grips are rocky valleys that are part of a band of magnesium limestone and are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These grips feature small caves, rock shelters, and fissures. One notable spot is Dead Man's Hole, an elusive rock cave where ancient flint tools and animal bones from the Ice Age were discovered.

Beyond walking and cycling, Rother Valley Country Park offers activities like cable water skiing. The numerous trails, including the Five Pits Trail and Trans Pennine Trail, are ideal for running and mountain biking. You can find specific routes for cycling, gravel biking, and running in the area.

The Clowne Local History Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the village. They are actively involved in projects such as the restoration of the Clowne South Station site, working to preserve its railway heritage and make it a point of interest for visitors.

At Rother Valley Country Park, you'll find a visitor centre located in the Bedgrave Mill Courtyard. This centre displays the original mill mechanism and provides information about the site's history. The courtyard also houses a craft centre and "The Stables" cafe, offering refreshments.

Shirebrook Wood is unique because it's a reclaimed former pit top site that has been extensively redeveloped and landscaped. It now features a mix of mature broadleaf trees, newly planted areas, open meadows, and a scenic wetland valley, making it an attractive wildlife area and a pleasant spot for walks.

Both Clowne Linear Park and Clowne Greenway are significant as they are built along the trackbeds of disused railway lines. They serve as multi-purpose trails, offering opportunities for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature. They also provide a connection to the area's industrial past, with information boards along the Clowne Linear Park detailing its history.

Visitors particularly enjoy the variety of experiences, from the well-maintained paths and leisure activities at Rother Valley Country Park to the peaceful, picturesque woodlands of Shirebrook Wood. The traffic-free nature and scenic views of trails like the Five Pits Trail are also highly appreciated for cycling and walking.