‘Beautiful’ Nottinghamshire countryside walk near Sutton-in-Ashfield takes you along abandoned railway line

After weeks of rain, wind and chilly temperatures, it thankfully now looks like summer has finally arrived. 

Temperatures in Nottinghamshire could reach as high as 25C as we move into next week, paving the way for more time outdoors. 

It’s no secret that dry and warm days here in England are few and far between, so it’s important to make the most of them when they do eventually arrive. 

Here in Nottinghamshire we’re lucky to have thousands of acres of lush countryside - and much of it is open for us to enjoy. 

Walking is a great way to make the most of the county’s green spaces, particularly at this time of year when the weather can be so inviting. 

If you’re not usually one to spend a couple of hours walking and don’t really know where to start, it’s definitely worth checking out some of the routes designated by Nottinghamshire County Council. 

The dozens of official routes take in picturesque towns, stunning countryside and even canals, so there are plenty of options to choose from. 

All the routes are special in their own way, but we think one in particular stands out from the rest. 

The ‘ghosts, lovers and a four poster’ walk is a 3.75-mile route around the Teversal Trails, near Sutton-in-Ashfield. 

Following former railway lines on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border, the trails combine history with natural beauty. 

The final railway line in the area closed in 1978, but you’ll probably see a few nods to the past during your walk. 

You can find the full route below or view a map of the trail by pressing here.

1. The journey begins

From the car park of the Teversal Trails Visitor Centre, walk through the Coal Garden to reach a gateway.

Through the gate take the path immediately on your right and in a few yards turn right again along a wider path running between trees.

This is an old railway line, part of the Teversal Trails network. Follow this track for about half a mile, passing under a bridge and walking in a cutting then on an embankment.

Eventually your path takes you over two bridges and at the second one our route turns left down the embankment over a stile to follow a path downhill.

At the bottom cross the wooden footbridge over the stream.

2. Past Teversal Church

Over the bridge, walk straight ahead, cutting across the corner of the field to the edge of a small woodland, Coppy Wood, then bearing right along the field edge.

On reaching the corner of the wood, the path heads diagonally across the field to the left, heading uphill on a well-trodden path.

At the top of the field, cross the stile to reach a road, and walk straight ahead, passing the stone built house to your left.

After a short distance you reach the entrance to Teversal Church.

Walk into the churchyard, and follow the path that runs past the door of the church to reach a gate at the far side of the churchyard.

3. Under the former railway bridge

Passing through the gate, head right and ahead you will see a tarmac path that leads to a gap in the stone wall, with wooden posts in the gap.

Walk through this gap and continue ahead on the pavement alongside a tree-lined road to a junction ahead.

Turn left and follow the pavement, which soon narrows as the road heads downhill, passing beneath a railway bridge.

Soon the road bends sharply to the left. Cross the road with care here opposite the large white house, to pass through a gateway and up a wide tarmac track (a former entrance to Silverhill Colliery).

At the top of the rise follow the track as it bends left, soon reaching a junction of tracks by a lake.