Attractions and Places To See around Barnby Moor - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Barnby Moor include a blend of historical sites and access to natural landscapes. This Nottinghamshire village, historically significant as a coaching stop on the Great North Road, serves as a gateway to broader regional exploration. Visitors can explore local heritage and discover a variety of outdoor activities and cultural attractions in the surrounding area. The region offers diverse opportunities for those interested in walking routes Barnby Moor and exploring the East Midlands.
Best attractions and places to see around Barnby Moor
- The most popular attractions is Clumber Lake, a large, man-made lake within Clumber Park. It was created in 1774 by damming the River Poulter and offers way-marked gravel rides suitable for families.
- Another must-see spot is Chesterfield Canal Towpath, a cycle way featuring a stunning gravel track. This route is popular for cycling, with numerous locks and low bridges, and offers refreshment stops along the way.
- Visitors also love Langold Country Park Lake, a lake within a 300-acre park. The park includes woodlands, wildlife meadows, play areas, and a cafe, making it a year-round destination.
- Barnby Moor is known for its historical sites, extensive parklands, and canal towpaths. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from natural reserves to historical gardens.
- The attractions around Barnby Moor are appreciated by the komoot community, with 33 upvotes and 32 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Langold Country Park Lake
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Chesterfield Canal Towpath
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Drinking Pit Lane (Robin Hood Way Section)
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Clumber Park Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse
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Clumber Park Forest Cycle Trail
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Langold Country Park was originally planned as a country house and park in the 18th century. The idea was revived in 1818 and although the house was never completed. By the 1890s a lake had been excavated and a weir with a single arch bridge had been constructed. During the early 20th century the area was developed for mining and the park became a leisure facility for the Langold miners, principally for fishing. In 1946 the coal mining industry was nationalised and the National Coal Board expanded the leisure facilities in the park. A lido or swimming pool was rebuilt in the early 1950s and a bandstand was added. In 1968 the mine closed and the park was taken over by the local authority. Mining equipment was moved and children's playgrounds and refreshment facilities were added.
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Sandy base can get boggy, great little downhill when dry.
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Covering 300 acres of parkland and a Local Nature Reserve, the park links into Dyscarr Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest recognised as one of the best examples of a limestone ash-wych elm wood in Nottinghamshire. The park itself has woodlands, wildlife and butterfly meadows, grassy area, a lake, play areas, cafe and skate park, making it a great year-round day trip for all.
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Dating from 1772, it supplied the sorts of exotic and unusual foods that the Dukes could impress their guests with. From asparagus to pineapples and strawberries at Christmas, this was an elite garden for an elite family. In its prime, the gardens would have provided employment for 30 people and had 6-acres under cultivation including a huge, heated Melon Yard and an orchard, which was re-established just outside the garden walls in 2021. At 451 feet, Clumber Park boasts the longest Glasshouse in National Trust care. It was installed by the 7th Duke of Newcastle and completed in 1910. By the 1970s it was derelict but the Trust has spent decades restoring it, most recently in 2023. Today, it boasts seasonal displays in its huge conservatory, an exotically planted Palm House and bays of grapes, figs, and peaches. Some of the utility rooms now serve as a museum displaying an extensive collection of gardening tools. The Apple Store and the Gardener's Mess have ever-changing displays.
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Not much elevation around Clumber, but this section of the Robin Hood way through woodland is enjoyable on a MTB especially in the winter. Plenty of natural forest floor (rather than hardpack gravel) which gets a bit muddy & cut-up.
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Be careful if you get up too much speed downhill, it bends right and gets quite rutted. Then a little further the trail ends with sand, again it can catch you out if travelling fast!
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The glass house in the walled garden is 450ft long. The walled garden also contains over 135 varieties of edible rhubarb (I had no idea there was so many) and 101 different types of apple, and so much more.
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Connects up National Cycle Route 6 and 647 Parking at either main round. Great spot
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical attractions can I visit near Barnby Moor?
Barnby Moor itself has a rich history as a coaching stop on the Great North Road. You can see historic buildings like the Ye Olde Bell Hotel, which once hosted Princess Victoria, and Barnby Moor House. In the wider region, consider visiting the remains of a 12th-century monastery at Rufford Abbey Country Park, or the magnificent Chatsworth House. The nearby village of Scrooby is also associated with the origins of the Pilgrim Fathers.
Are there any family-friendly attractions around Barnby Moor?
Yes, several attractions cater to families. Clumber Lake within Clumber Park offers way-marked gravel rides suitable for all ages. Langold Country Park Lake is part of a 300-acre park with woodlands, wildlife meadows, and dedicated play areas, making it a great year-round destination for families.
Where can I enjoy nature and outdoor activities near Barnby Moor?
The area offers diverse natural spaces. Clumber Park is a 4,000-acre National Trust property with woodland trails and a large man-made lake. Langold Country Park features woodlands, wildlife areas, and a lake, connecting to Dyscarr Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Idle Valley Nature Reserve is another excellent spot for wildlife enthusiasts. For more adventurous activities, Sherwood Forest, about 13.5 miles away, offers rambling and a Go Ape adventure course.
What cycling routes are available near Barnby Moor?
The Chesterfield Canal Towpath is a popular gravel track for cycling, featuring numerous locks and low bridges. For more structured routes, you can explore various options for road cycling, mountain biking, and gravel biking. For example, there are several road cycling routes around Barnby Moor, including the 'Whitsunday Pie Lock – Drakeholes Tunnel loop from Ranskill' which is an easy 28 km ride. You can find more details on these routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Barnby Moor guide.
Are there any walking trails or hiking opportunities?
Yes, there are several walking opportunities. Clumber Lake offers way-marked gravel paths suitable for walks. The Drinking Pit Lane (Robin Hood Way Section) is a bridleway that forms part of the Robin Hood Way, linking Creswell Crags to Clumber Park, offering an enjoyable woodland walk. The Chesterfield Canal Towpath is also popular for walking, though it can be busy on weekends. For more specific routes, you can check guides for walking routes in the area.
What is special about Clumber Park's Walled Kitchen Garden?
The Clumber Park Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse is a remarkable historical site. It boasts a 450-foot-long glasshouse, one of the longest in National Trust care, which was recently restored in 2023. The garden cultivates over 135 varieties of edible rhubarb and 101 different types of apples, showcasing a rich horticultural heritage that once supplied exotic foods to the Dukes of Newcastle.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Barnby Moor?
Visitors particularly enjoy the diverse range of activities available, from family-friendly gravel rides around Clumber Lake to the scenic cycling along the Chesterfield Canal Towpath. The natural beauty and facilities at places like Langold Country Park Lake, with its play areas and cafe, are also highly appreciated for offering a great day out for all ages.
Are there any specific mountain biking trails nearby?
Yes, there are mountain biking opportunities. The Drinking Pit Lane (Robin Hood Way Section) offers a natural forest floor section that is enjoyable for mountain biking, especially in winter, though it can get muddy. For a wider selection of trails, you can explore the MTB Trails around Barnby Moor guide, which includes routes like the 'Hodsock MTB Trails – The Lock Keeper loop from Carlton in Lindrick'.
What is the significance of the Chesterfield Canal Towpath?
The Chesterfield Canal Towpath is a stunning gravel track popular for cycling and walking. It features numerous locks and low bridges, offering picturesque views and refreshment stops along the way. It's a great route for those looking for a relatively flat and scenic outdoor experience, though it can be busy with foot traffic on weekends.
What is Langold Country Park like?
Langold Country Park is a 300-acre park that includes a Local Nature Reserve. It features woodlands, wildlife and butterfly meadows, grassy areas, a lake, play areas, a cafe, and a skate park. It's known for being a great year-round destination, and it links into Dyscarr Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest recognized for its limestone ash-wych elm wood.
Can I find information about the history of Barnby Moor itself?
Barnby Moor has a notable history as a significant coaching inn stop on the Great North Road. The Ye Olde Bell Hotel, dating back to at least the 18th century, famously hosted figures like Princess Victoria. The village's strategic location made it a key route for travelers and trade, and it was even a haunt for highwaymen in the 18th century. You can learn more about its history on Wikipedia.
Most popular attractions around Barnby Moor
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