East Midlands: Holiday rentals between UNESCO heritage, Sherwood Forest and cycle routes

The East Midlands is home to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the region’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stretches for 15 miles along the River Derwent from Matlock Bath and Cromford in the north to the city of Derby in the south. In Cromford, Sir Richard Arkwright built the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in 1771. With castles, manor houses and museums, the East Midlands is ideal for a weekend stay.

Culture and history

Bolsover Castle stands on a ridge high above the Vale of Scarsdale and occupies the site of a medieval fortress. A seven-mile walking trail connects Bolsover Castle with the ruins of Sutton Scarsdale Hall across the countryside between the two locations. The Ashby Canal is also a place where landscape and history meet: the canal touches the western edge of Bosworth Field, the site of the 1485 battle in which Richard III was defeated by Henry Tudor.

Nature and water

Sherwood is designated both as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as a Special Area of Conservation in the United Kingdom because of its outstanding surviving oak and birch woodland. Sherwood Forest Country Park covers 450 acres and includes ancient areas of native woodland. In Sherwood Forest, the Giants Trail passes ancient oaks, including the Major Oak; the Major Oak is about a 15-minute walk from the visitor centre.

Cromford Canal offers five miles of towpath, is rich in wildlife and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The towpath along the Ashby Canal is ideal for a pleasant, level walk. The East Midlands also has both fast-flowing tidal rivers and tranquil canals rich in wildlife, offering a wide range of activities on the water.

Cycling

The cycle routes range from short circular trails to routes lasting several days. The Robin Hood Trail in Sherwood Pines is a moderate, 11.2-kilometre circular route suitable exclusively for mountain bikes. Also in Sherwood Pines is the easy Maid Marion Trail: this 6.4-kilometre circular route combines quiet forest roads with off-road trails. The 20-mile Freewheels 2 – ancient Sherwood route is a circular route with varied surfaces and moderate climbs. It starts at the Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre, follows the edge of Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve to Sherwood Pines and then returns to the starting point.

The Coal and Canopy Way is a 251-kilometre gravel route through the National Forest. It uses forest tracks, bridleways, canal towpaths and quiet roads and is designed to take two to five days. The Cloud Trail follows a former railway line for 13 miles from Worthington to the outskirts of Derby. The Great Northern Greenway, National Route 672, has been completed between northern Derby and Breadsall and is intended to connect Derby City with Ilkeston.

Derbyshire has more than 280 miles, or 450 kilometres, of traffic-free cycle routes. In Derbyshire, inclusive cycling centres offer electric bikes and adapted bikes for hire. Nottinghamshire has more than 650 miles of cycle routes through rural areas and towns. In the National Forest south of Swadlincote, the Conkers Circuit is an off-road family cycling route. The Ashby Woulds Trail is an off-road family cycling route on a former railway line and forms part of NCN63. The King’s End Way Cycle Trail runs for 220 miles through the Leicestershire countryside and is designed to be completed over several days.

Getting around the region

The East Midlands is predominantly rural; travelling by car is the easiest way to get around the region. Leicester is well connected to the railway network, and local regional trains make it easier to visit market towns. Along the Nottingham & Beeston Canal, the Castle Wharf area offers bars, nightlife and outdoor dining right on the waterfront. Markeaton Park is one of the most popular attractions in the East Midlands.

More destinations

Find more destinations in the East Midlands here: Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Leicester, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Derby and Nottingham.

For the higher-level travel overview: Great Britain.