Cycling in Newark and Sherwood
Cycling is an excellent way to get fit and have fun. It gets you outside in the fresh air and can be enjoyed with friends and family. Dust down your bike and get exploring our beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside on two wheels.
Local bike rides
Bilsthorpe leisure trail
This 7 kilometre flat route was created from a derelict mineral railway line. It links Vicar Water Country Park at Clipstone with Sherwood Pines and Bilsthorpe.
The route connects into the county's wider leisure network, providing an onward connection via National cycle network route 6 to Worksop at the northern end, and to the Southwell Trail, which ends at Bilsthorpe.
Clumber park
You’ll find more than 20 miles of cycle routes at this National Trust property around the lake or through the woodland. Find out more and download cycle routes for Clumber park from the National Trust website.
Sherwood Pines
At Sherwood Pines near Clipstone you’ll find woodland paths as well as all levels of mountain bike tracks. You can take your own bikes or hire them on site. Check out the Sherwood Pines cycling club website for more information on rides and events.
If cycling isn’t your thing, Sherwood Pines is perfect for a day of outdoor adventure with walking trails, adventure play parks, parkland and picnic areas, Go Ape and a brilliant café for refuelling.
Southwell trail
Southwell trail is a 7.5 mile flat route built on the former railway line of the Midland Railway. It stretches from Southwell to Bilsthorpe, passing the villages of Farnsfield, Kirklington and Maythorne. You can walk, cycle or horse ride along the wildlife-rich trail and there are a number of free car parks to allow access.
Sustrans national cycle network
Route 6, which is part of the National cycle network, runs through Nottinghamshire, from Nottingham to Worksop or Derby. Route 64 goes from Bingham to Lincoln and route 15 from Bingham to Grantham.
Thoresby Park
There are many opportunities to get off the beaten track and discover the ancient oaks and abundance of wildlife in the forest with the walking and biking trails at Thoresby Park. Electric bike hire is available here - find out more on the Eco Voltz bike hire Facebook page.
Vicar Water country park
Vicar Water country park has been created from the former Clipstone Colliery site. The park offers lakes, wildlife, walking and cycling trails, spectacular views from the top of the hill and a visitor centre and cafe. Cyclists can use various dedicated bridleways and there’s access to the National cycle network.
Other trails and parks
- Rushcliffe county park has a trials bike track
- Bestwood country park is great for cycling
- Greenwood community forest offers various cycle routes suitable for all the family
- Newark to Harby Sustrans cycle route (PDF File, 473kb) - download a printable map of this 15-mile route through the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire countryside
- Newark to Cotham cycle route - discover this traffic-free route from Newark Northgate station to the village of Cotham
- The national byways - find out more about the national byways scheme which passes through the district
Get into cycling
Caught the cycling bug and want to get more serious? The British cycling website features advice on how to get into different area of cycling like track, mountain biking, cycle cross, road racing and even commuting. It's also free to sign up for their newsletter, The Inside Track.
Family riders should check out the British cycling Let's ride website.
If you want to find out more about British Cycling in your area, then visit the British cycling East Midlands website.
Brompton bikes
Newark has a Brompton bike hub at Castle Station in Newark with other cycling hubs planned for further strategic locations in the town. This includes the bus station, Northgate train station and Middlebeck.
The dock at Newark Castle Station holds 8 Brompton folding bicycles and residents can book out the bikes via the Brompton bike hire app available on the Apple and Google store. Once downloaded, residents need to select their membership and have their ID at the ready. They can reserve a bike a day in advance to travel for 24 hours or keep the bike for up to 30 days.
At the end of the rental period, residents can simply drop the bike off at the docks. Bikes are simple to unfold and can be placed easily on trains and in offices, even under desks.
Prices for hire range from a £5 annual fee and £10 daily charge for occasional users and £20 annual fee and £5 daily charge for frequent users.
The standard helpline if you're having issues with hiring a Brompton bike is 0204 538 3225. The helpline is open 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday.
For more information, please go to the Brompton hire bike website.