Attractions and Places To See around Clumber And Hardwick - Top 20

The region boasts significant natural beauty, particularly at Clumber Park. Here you'll find the expansive 87-acre Clumber Lake, the majestic Lime Tree Avenue (Europe's longest double avenue of lime trees), and diverse woodlands and heathland. The park is home to various wildlife, including buzzards, woodpeckers, and deer, with a bird hide available for observation. Hardwick Hall also offers beautiful gardens and parkland with panoramic views of the Derbyshire countryside.

Yes, the area is rich in history. Clumber Park features the stunning Gothic Revival Clumber Chapel and the historic Ornamental Bridge. While the main Clumber House was demolished, its former study now houses the Clumber Café. Nearby, you can explore Hardwick New Hall, an impressive Elizabethan prodigy house known for its architecture and 16th-century collections, and the ruins of Hardwick Old Hall with its remarkable plaster friezes. Other historical points include The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, linked to the Robin Hood legend, and St Mary's Church, Edwinstowe, said to be where Robin Hood and Maid Marian married.

The region offers a variety of outdoor activities. Clumber Park provides over 20 miles of accessible paths for walking, cycling, and exploring, with a Cycle Hub for bike hire. For mountain biking enthusiasts, Sherwood Pines Trail Centre offers dedicated trails, a bike shop, and a cafe. You can find numerous routes for different sports, including running trails, easy hikes, and cycling routes throughout the area.

Absolutely! Clumber Park is very family-friendly, offering a Discovery Centre with educational exhibits and seasonal activities, extensive cycle ways, and plenty of space for picnics and walks. Sherwood Pines Trail Centre has a play area for kids in addition to its cycling trails. The natural beauty of the parks, including the wildlife at Clumber Park and the legends surrounding The Major Oak, also appeal to families.

The region offers different experiences throughout the year. Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the gardens, lake, and outdoor activities at Clumber Park and Hardwick Hall, with events and guided tours often available. Autumn provides stunning foliage, especially along Clumber Park's Lime Tree Avenue and in the woodlands. Winter can offer peaceful, crisp walks, though some facilities or opening hours might be reduced. Check specific attraction websites for seasonal events and opening times.

Many areas are dog-friendly. Clumber Park welcomes dogs, with extensive woodlands and trails perfect for walks. It's always best to check the specific policies of individual attractions like Hardwick Hall regarding dogs in buildings or formal gardens, but generally, the surrounding parklands are accessible for well-behaved dogs on leads.

Both major attractions offer on-site refreshments. At Clumber Park, you'll find the Clumber Café in the Duke's former study, as well as National Trust cafes, an ice cream van, and a shop in the visitor centre. Hardwick Hall also has a visitor centre with a café serving local produce. Additionally, Sherwood Pines Trail Centre includes a cafe. There are also local cafes and pubs in nearby villages.

Yes, the area provides several easy walking options. Clumber Park has many flat, accessible paths, including routes around Clumber Lake and along Lime Tree Avenue. Hardwick Hall's parkland also features way-marked walks through woodland pasture. You can find a selection of easy hikes in the region, such as the 'Laundry Yard – Chapel of St Mary the Virgin loop' and the 'Clumber Courtyard – Lime Tree Avenue loop'.

Beyond the main halls, the region features interesting historical structures. Rufford Icehouse, one of two remaining from the Rufford estate, offers a glimpse into 19th-century preservation methods. Hardwick Village within Clumber Park, with its picturesque Neo-Elizabethan cottages, provides insight into 19th-century estate life. The surviving 18th and 19th-century stables and coach house at Clumber Park are also notable.

The Walled Kitchen Garden at Clumber Park is a four-acre, 18th-century productive garden. It is particularly significant for housing the longest glasshouse in the National Trust. This impressive glasshouse contains national collections of rhubarb and apple, pelargoniums, grapevines, and even a Butia capitata palm, showcasing historical horticultural practices and diverse plant collections.

Yes, the area offers several scenic spots. The Ornamental Bridge at Clumber Park provides picturesque views across Clumber Lake. The parkland and gardens of Hardwick Hall offer panoramic vistas of the Derbyshire countryside. Additionally, the extensive woodlands and open heath at Clumber Park provide numerous opportunities for enjoying the natural landscape.

The 'Dukeries' is a historic area in Nottinghamshire known for its large country estates, many of which were formerly owned by dukes. Clumber Park, once the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle, is a significant part of this region. It spans over 3,800 acres and reflects the grandeur and landscape design typical of these ducal estates.