Clumber’s walk for all seasons
This gentle walk has varied landscapes and takes you through woodland and across heathland. The start and finish of the walk is along a usually car free road from which there are glimpses of the lake.
An easy walk with plenty to see whatever the season
Depending on the season you'll see bluebells in the woods and heather on the heathland. Here you may be lucky enough to see jays and green woodpeckers searching for bugs. Near the end of the walk a short detour takes you to Clumber Bridge with a lovely view of the lake and chapel. Along the route there are numerous species of trees which in the autumn guarantees a wonderful display of colour.
Map
Start:
National Trust Clumber Park main car park, grid ref: SK625746
1
Leave the main car park and follow the signs for the café and toilets which take you past the shop and plant sales and through the Turning Yard with the clock tower on your left.
2
Go past the toilets and at the signpost (*) follow the path to the left towards the lakeside. (If the Turning Yard is closed, return to the road and turn left to follow the number 2 cycle trail until you reach the signpost *)
3
Follow the path as it bears right and becomes a road that is usually car free. The lake is now on your left.
Clumber lake
In the late 18th century Clumber Lake was created. The Pleasure Ground was later added and provided the Dukes, their families and guests secluded walks and sheltered places to sit and enjoy the lovely views across the lake. Today the lake is home to a wide variety of wildlife; plants, insects, birds and fish.
4
In about 0.25 miles (0.4km) you'll reach a wooden barrier. Continue until you get to the cross roads. Beware of traffic from left and right as you go straight across the road and carry on in the same direction.
5
After approximately 400 yds (365 metres) take the first clear path/track on the right and follow this for a short distance until you come to a stile on your left at the side of a gate.
6
Go over the stile and follow the obvious path straight ahead across heath land to another stile. (To avoid the stiles and livestock which may be grazing on the heath land walk past the stile and keeping the fence on your left follow it round the edge of the heath land/field. You will pass two more stiles and when you reach the third stile pick up the directions from the second sentence of point 7. This will add about 0.50 of a mile/ 0.8 km to the walk and there's a short slight uphill gradient. There's a bench seat part way round where you can have a sit down and see if you can spot a green woodpecker).
Clumber's heathland
In the 18th century much of Clumber was open heath land grazed by deer, sheep and rabbits. Over the years woodland planting has caused a dramatic decline in heathland and there is now considerable effort to conserve what remains. Heathland is home to a distinctive group of plants and animals including heather, gorse, lizards, beetles, tree pipits and green woodpeckers.
7
Climb over the stile and turn left following the fence. Just before a bench seat turn right on a path through the trees to a road.
8
Turn left by the wooden barrier and where the road splits take the right fork. You're now walking towards Clumber Bridge which comes into view after approximately a third of a mile (480 metres).
Bluebells
If you're doing this walk in the spring look out for bluebells found in woodland throughout Clumber Park.
9
Before reaching the bridge you come to another wooden barrier where you turn left for a short distance to reach a road junction. Beware traffic from both directions.
Clumber bridge
The bridge was designed in the Palladian style by Stephen Wright and built in the 1770s. In 1774 the River Poulter was dammed to create the lake. The whole project took 15 years.
10
At the junction turn right and look out on the left for a wooden barrier and a track which are both set back from the road. Follow this track down towards the lake and Clumber Grotto. (If you wish to visit the grotto and bridge turn right. From the bridge there is a splendid view down the lake towards the chapel. Return to the grotto to continue the walk *).
11
Near the grotto you turn left to (*) follow the path through the trees and up the hill to the road and wooden barrier.
Autumn colours
A third of Clumber Park is woodland with more than 200 different types of trees. See how many you can identify and in Autumn enjoy the rich colours.
12
Turn right and make your way back via the café, where you can get a good cup of tea and something yummy and have a look round the shop and plant sales before returning to the car park.
End:
National Trust Clumber Park main car park, grid ref: SK625746