Attractions and Places To See around Owthorpe - Top 20

Owthorpe is home to the unusual Grade I listed St Margaret of Antioch Church, which dates back to at least 1299 and features a fascinating monument to Colonel John Hutchinson. While Owthorpe Hall itself was demolished, the old fish ponds and trees mark its former site. Further afield, you can visit the historic Wilford Suspension Bridge, a pedestrian bridge over the River Trent built in 1906.

Yes, the disused Grantham Canal passes near Owthorpe, featuring a large basin that attracts swans and ducks, offering a pleasant spot for observation and walks along the canal path. Additionally, the Netherfield Lagoons Nature Reserve is a Local Nature Reserve with gravel ponds and slurry pits, providing habitats for wildfowl, waders, and warblers, and offering commanding views of the area.

The area around Owthorpe offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, including those along the Grantham Canal Path or towards Hickling Basin. For more details on cycling, refer to the Cycling around Owthorpe guide. Gravel biking and MTB trails are also available, with routes exploring areas like Cotgrave Country Park and Holme Pierrepont Country Park. Check the Gravel biking around Owthorpe and MTB Trails around Owthorpe guides for specific routes.

Many attractions around Owthorpe are suitable for families. The Gunthorpe Riverside and The Unicorn Hotel is a charming village with a pleasant riverside, ideal for a family outing. Hickling Basin, with its tea room and ducks, is also a good stop. The Wilford Suspension Bridge offers a scenic and safe crossing for walkers and cyclists. For active families, the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont provides a flat, traffic-free tarmac track around the water, perfect for kids to cycle.

The Gunthorpe Riverside and The Unicorn Hotel offers a pub in a charming riverside village. At Hickling Basin, you'll find a tea room and a pub right next to the canal, perfect for refueling during a walk or cycle.

The disused Grantham Canal is a notable natural feature near Owthorpe. It includes a large basin adjacent to the main road, which historically facilitated loading and mooring. Today, this basin is a peaceful spot, attracting a substantial population of swans and ducks, and offers pleasant paths for walking.

Yes, St Margaret of Antioch Church is a prominent landmark in Owthorpe. It is a Grade I listed Anglican church, accessible via a public footpath. Be aware that the path can be muddy in winter. The church is known for its 12th-century features, a 17th-century rebuild, and an oak-panelled, three-decker pulpit-cum-lectern.

Owthorpe Hall, once the large manor house and seat of the Hutchinson family, was demolished in the early 19th century. While the building itself is gone, the old fish ponds and their surrounding trees are still visible in the field to the north of St Margaret's Church, marking the historically significant location.

Visitors appreciate the charm of places like Gunthorpe Riverside, often stopping for a snack by the bridge. The Wilford Suspension Bridge is enjoyed for its scenic crossing and tranquil atmosphere, though it can be busy on weekends. The Hickling Basin is a popular stop for its tea room and pub, and for watching the ducks.

When visiting the Netherfield Lagoons Nature Reserve, be aware that it's situated on the Trent Valley Flood Plain. The site features two slurry pits and two gravel ponds. A raised causeway offers commanding views. The largest tank retains some water with muddy edges, attractive to waders, while the smaller tank is mainly deep water, drawing wildfowl. Warblers feed and breed around the tank edges.

The churchyard of St Margaret of Antioch features several 18th-century slate tombstones. Among these, you can find examples of the distinctive 'Belvoir angel' design, adding a unique historical and artistic element to your visit.

Yes, Hickling Basin is considered a good starting point for a cycle tour of that end of the Vale of Belvoir, with routes extending towards Bottesford and back. You can also enjoy watching the ducks in the basin upon your return.