The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Somercotes

Sleetmoor Wood is a 13.5 hectare mixed species woodland planted after the landscaping of the spoil heaps of the former Swanwick Colliery and completed in 1981.

The Cotes Parkland was sold off in small plots during the nineteenth century when the area was being mined for coal and ironstone. Three of the ponds were constructed during the nineteenth century as a result of mining operations, but it is thought that pond 3 is considerably older. In 1942 the area was re-landscaped for public use by Italian prisoners of war and subsequently became very popular for walking and picnicking. The creation of Cotes Park Industrial Estate in the 1970s has isolated the ponds within an industrial and residential landscape. They fell into disuse and decay and suffered from pollution. In the late 1980’s the borough council improved the ponds, which encouraged angling, walking and horse riding, there is an active friends group who have raised funds in partnership with Palmer Morewood Angling Club to install new paths and fishing pegs, the Borough Council have also improved the infrastructure and work with the Environment Agency to combat pollution.

Kelly's Directory of 1932 describes St Thomas's Church as erected in 1852, and rebuilt (with the exception of the old chancel) in 1902, and is "an edifice of brick and stone, consisting of chancel and nave". The original building was erected in 1849 as a Wesleyan chapel, but following the division in the Methodist Church, the building was sold to the Riddings Churchwardens for £400, which was raised by donations. A chancel, built of stone, was then added, and a stained east window inserted at the expense of Thomas Haden Oakes esq. J.P. in memory of Mrs Beastall. Further additions were made in 1878, and the whole, as Kelly says, was rebuilt in 1902. [Source: Johnson, Reginald - A History of Alfreton (1868)]

The Derbyshire History, Gazetteer & Directory dated 1857 states “The Wesleyan Reformers’ Chapel, situated in Birchwood Lane was erected by John Smedley Esq., of Lea Bridge. It is a handsome building with tower and one bell. In connection with which is a good school, eligible for all the children in the village. The school-room is lighted with gas and heated with hot water, will accommodate about 200 children; average attendance 126”.

Horrid little stretch, burnt out cars, abandoned trolleys, old bonfires, rubbish thrown in the brook...just a tip. 😢

nice safe place to take your children

The entrance to Cotes Park Woods is marked by a Large yellow Miner's wheel sign, woodland trail for about a mile, several forked paths some leading out to houses, other to a dead end, but possible for dogs to go under fence and probably possibly for people to climb over but I didn't try.

Large fishing ponds and local nature reserve in the middle of an industiral estate, which in spite if this is very peaceful! Lots of little wooden jetties to sit and fish or bird/wildlife watch or just enjoy nature at many points all around the ponds. Can cross over ponds via bridge