The bluebell woods of Clumber
Starting in Hardwick village, this circular route takes you through several woodland areas carpeted with bluebells during the spring. You'll also pass historic buildings of the former ducal estate, cross heathland and farmland and walk alongside Clumber Lake.
Total steps: 9
Total steps: 9
Start point
Hardwick village main car park, grid ref: SK637755
Step 1
From the main visitor car park at Hardwick, make your way along the lakeside path towards Hardwick village. Once there, start with the farm on your right and walk up through the village, which was originally built for the workers on the estate during the time Clumber was owned by the Dukes of Newcastle. A short distance after the second speed ramp you'll see the War Memorial on the right.
Step 2
Shortly after the War Memorial take a right turn at a metal public footpath sign, which is pointing in the direction you need to walk. In the spring, this fragment of ancient woodland is a carpet of bluebells. If you time it just right, at the height of the flowering season, their wonderful scent fills the air.
Step 3
Leaving the fragment of old oak woodland, you'll find yourself in an area of much younger native trees. Continue along this path towards the open field in the distance.
Step 4
At the boundary of the woodland, the path goes across a field. Just before you reach the field, take a quick glance to the left and you'll see a strip of bluebells running along the field edge. The coppiced trees here almost form a tunnel over them. Head towards the School House, following the yellow waymarks as the path goes around the line of the fence and then across the field. The path eventually meets up with a limestone farm track. Turn left here.
Step 5
Watch out for traffic on this section of the walk. Continue along the farm track for around 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km) until you come to a tarmac road. At this junction, carefully cross the road and head downhill. After 200yd (182m), take the clear path on the right. Follow this path downhill through Scots pine woodland to a gate. Continue to a junction of paths with a wooden post (National Cycle Route marker 16) and turn right.
Step 6
Continuing along this track, you'll eventually reach Lime Tree Avenue. Turn left to walk down its double row of trees. The path goes uphill and as it flattens out you'll pass a row of wooden stumps. Just after these, look out for a wooden swing barrier and a wide track to the left. With a clump of large mature beech trees on your right, take this track back into woodland.
Step 7
When you come to a road, cross carefully and head straight into the next woodland. The area on your left has a good show of bluebells in spring. The shade cast by the young beech trees helps to restrict the growth of bracken and brambles so the flowers can be seen. When you reach a fence, turn right and follow it to a road. Carefully cross the road and turn left. Take the first track on the right going uphill, following National Cycle Route marker 1.
Step 8
At a crossroads of tracks, turn left and walk down towards the lake. Carry straight on over a raised causeway to a road. Beware of traffic as you follow the road to a small car park on the right. Walk through the car park with the lake on your right.
Step 9
This is the last section of the walk, with good views up the lake towards the chapel or downstream towards farmland and woodland in the distance. If you have a pair of binoculars, look out for buzzards soaring above the farmland before returning to the car park.
End point
Hardwick village main car park, grid ref: SK637755
Trail map
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