Attractions and Places To See around Newton Solney - Top 20

Newton Solney is rich in history. You can visit St Mary the Virgin's Church, with parts dating back to the 12th century, featuring Norman fragments and 14th-century effigies. Don't miss Bladon Castle, an early 19th-century folly built as an 'eye-catcher' within Newton Park. The village also boasts other historic buildings like Newton Park Hotel, Rock House, and the unique octagonal Beehive Cottage. For industrial heritage, consider a visit to Moira Furnace and Canal, a significant historical site nearby.

Yes, several attractions are great for families. The Deer Park at Calke Abbey offers extensive grounds for walking and wildlife spotting. Moira Furnace and Canal features a visitor center, museum, and a children's play area, with easy footpaths. Staunton Harold Reservoir provides beautiful views, a cafe, and a playground. The Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath is also suitable for family walks and cycling.

Newton Solney is nestled at the confluence of the River Trent and River Dove, offering scenic views and riverside walks. The Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath provides a flat route for cycling and walking, forming part of National Cycle Network Route 6. Nearby, Staunton Harold Reservoir offers fine views over the water and surrounding woodland, with abundant birdlife. The village itself is surrounded by footpaths and countryside walks through fields and woodlands.

The area around Newton Solney is ideal for walking. You can explore the footpaths along the River Trent and River Dove, or enjoy the flat, scenic Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath. The Deer Park at Calke Abbey is excellent for walking, and Moira Furnace and Canal offers footpaths leading to nearby woodlands. For more structured routes, you can find various running trails around Newton Solney, including loops from Burton upon Trent and Newton Solney CP, on the Running Trails around Newton Solney guide.

Yes, the Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath is a popular, flat route for cycling, forming part of NCN Route 6. For gravel biking, you can find routes like the Hicks Lodge Trail loop from Ashby Woulds or the Moira Furnace loops, detailed in the Gravel biking around Newton Solney guide. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore trails such as the Robin Wood loop from Bretby or the Hicks Lodge Trail Centre loop from Swadlincote, available in the MTB Trails around Newton Solney guide.

Newton Solney has several distinctive architectural features. Beyond the church and Bladon Castle, look for Rock House, which incorporates the remains of an 18th-century folly-like structure on the river bank. The Beehive Cottage is an unusual octagonal building from the early 1800s. The village also has 19 listed buildings, mostly houses and cottages, reflecting its rich architectural heritage, and the main road is a conservation area preserving its historic character.

Newton Solney itself has historic pubs like The Unicorn Inn and The Brickmakers Arms. Near attractions, you'll find cafes at Calke Abbey (within the Deer Park grounds), at Moira Furnace and Canal, and at Staunton Harold Reservoir, offering convenient spots for refreshments during your visit.

Yes, Newton Solney and its surroundings offer several dog-friendly options. The Deer Park at Calke Abbey is suitable for walks with dogs. The footpaths around Moira Furnace and Canal, including paths to Donisthorpe woodland, are also popular for dog walking. The Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath is another great option for a leisurely stroll with your dog.

Visitors particularly appreciate the scenic beauty and historical significance of the area. The Deer Park at Calke Abbey is loved for its walking opportunities and natural setting. The Moira Furnace and Canal is praised for its historical context, family amenities, and lovely canal-side walks. Many also enjoy the peaceful resting spot and cycling connections offered by Swarkestone Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

The Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath is noted for its accessibility. It's a flat, gravelly path, and as of January 2023, sections have been upgraded and widened with a tarmac surface, and barriers improved, making it more suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Some paths around Donisthorpe woods near Moira Furnace are also suitable for pushchairs.

Newton Solney offers several picturesque viewpoints. The village itself provides important long views across the landscape and to distant horizons, including Bladon Castle and the River Trent. The confluence of the River Trent and River Dove offers scenic river views. Staunton Harold Reservoir is known for its beautiful views over the water and surrounding woodlands, where you might even spot sailboats.

Newton Solney is charming throughout the year, but spring and summer offer the best weather for enjoying outdoor activities like walking and cycling along the rivers and canal. The natural features, such as the Deer Park at Calke Abbey and Staunton Harold Reservoir, are particularly vibrant during these seasons. Autumn also brings beautiful foliage to the surrounding woodlands.