Best attractions and places to see around Ravenshead, a village in Nottinghamshire, England, blend historical significance with natural beauty and cultural sites. The area offers a variety of points of interest, many with connections to the broader Sherwood Forest region. It serves as a base for exploring nearby historical, cultural, and natural attractions.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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Always worth a visit to Newstead Abbey it's a beautiful building with wonderful gardens to wonder around and get lost in the beauty
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The Parish Church was probably built in the late part of the 12th century, possibly on the site of the church hinted at in Domesday, the earlier building most likely of wattle and daub. The present church has traces of Norman work in the north and east walls which are two and a half feet thick. It is built of local limestone, with stones of handy sizes not laid in horizontal courses. Originally it was a plain rectangular building consisting of chancel, nave and a small tower. At some time in the XIV century a south aisle was added, and in the next century the porch was built. At the same time as the porch another stage was added to the tower, which is square, pinnacled, and unbuttressed. At some later date the porch was moved from the south to the north side of the church, its old position still clearly marked on the outside of the south wall. Another alteration visible from the exterior, and also on the south, is the blocked up 'Priest's Doorway' in the south wall of the chancel.
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Newstead Abbey, located in Nottinghamshire, England, originally served as an Augustinian priory. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it was converted into a private residence. Today, it is most renowned as the ancestral home of Lord Byron. The priory of St. Mary of Newstead, established by King Henry II of England around 1170, was a house for Augustinian Canons. Despite its present name, Newstead was never an abbey but rather a priory.
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Linby is a charming village located near the larger town of Hucknall. It features several notable buildings, including a 12th-century church, and features many quaint stone cottages and green spaces to enjoy.
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Great place for some XC mountain biking. Nothing very extreme so really good for Beginners or youngsters. If you're looking for hardcore downhill or bike park Wales-type trails you'll be disappointed as there is not much in the way of elevation. Cafe on-site and a bike shop too with a jet wash to clean your bike off after your ride. Can get very busy at weekends.
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Thieves Wood provides the scenery for an exciting day out with a walking trail that starts from the car park, offering easy access into the wood.
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warm and friendly welcome but not that the prices are due to increase shortly
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Newstead Abbey was a 12th centaury monastery. Over the years it became home to Romantic Poet Lord Byron. The abbey and the grounds are open to visitors.
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You can visit Newstead Abbey, a 12th-century Augustinian priory and ancestral home of Lord Byron, featuring beautiful gardens and a museum. Nearby, the Victorian-era Papplewick Pumping Station offers a glimpse into industrial heritage. Additionally, Ravenshead parish contains several Grade II listed buildings, including historic boundary stones and lodges associated with Newstead Abbey, providing insights into the area's past.
Yes, Thieves Wood is a natural woodland offering scenic walking trails and picnic benches, with historical associations to Robin Hood. Another option is Harlow Wood, which also provides numerous trails for walking or biking.
For mountain biking, the Sherwood Pines Trail Centre offers various cycling routes, a bike shop, and a visitor centre. For gravel biking, you can explore routes like the 'Sherwood Pines Trail Centre – Viking Trail' or the 'Blidworth Wood & The River Trent loop'. Find more options on the Gravel biking around Ravenshead guide. Road cyclists can find routes such as the 'Chapel in the Cemetery loop' near Newstead, detailed in the Road Cycling Routes around Ravenshead guide.
Absolutely. Newstead Abbey, with its extensive parkland, gardens, and peacocks, is great for families. Sherwood Pines Trail Centre features a play area for kids and the Go Ape! adventure course. Thieves Wood offers easy walking trails and picnic spots. Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve also has a cafe and trails suitable for families.
Ravenshead offers easy access to the Sherwood Forest countryside with various walking routes. Popular spots include Thieves Wood and Harlow Wood. You can find specific hiking routes, such as 'The Monks Stew Pond – Newstead Abbey loop' or 'Sansom Woods Fishing Pond – Sansom Woods Ponds loop', on the Hiking around Ravenshead guide.
The Sherwood Observatory is located in nearby Sutton in Ashfield. It offers an immersive experience to learn about astronomy, featuring planetarium shows and exhibitions about the universe, solar system, planets, and the moon.
The Hutt public house is believed to stand on the site of the first building in Ravenshead, historically a royal hut for forest patrols. St Peter's Church, built in 1972, is notable for its distinctive elliptical shape and centrally unsupported timber shell roof. Also, the Pilgrim or Gospel Oak near Newstead Abbey's entrance is a historically significant landmark where pilgrims once stopped.
Visitors appreciate the blend of historical significance and natural beauty. For instance, Newstead Abbey is loved for its magnificent setting and beautifully curated gardens, especially the Japanese water garden. The trails at Thieves Wood are enjoyed for their folklore ambience and refreshment cabin. The Sherwood Pines Trail Centre is popular for its comprehensive facilities including a cafe, bike shop, and diverse cycling routes.
Yes, the Papplewick Pumping Station, built in 1884, is a significant Victorian-era industrial heritage site. It was constructed to pump drinking water and offers a fascinating look into the region's past. Additionally, Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve provides a great view of an old pit with a museum and cafe, showcasing the coal mining industry.
Yes, the extensive parkland at Newstead Abbey is home to peacocks, swans, and geese. Thieves Wood and Harlow Wood are natural woodlands perfect for observing local flora and fauna. Pleasley Pit Colliery and Nature Reserve also features a lake and is known for its wildlife.
Fishpool was historically a small hamlet and once considered the center of Ravenshead. Its name, appearing on 17th-century maps, refers to a pool containing fish. The older farms and houses in this area, including those on Robin Hood Terrace, reflect its early development and historical importance to the village.


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