Day 1: Saturday 11th June - Nottingham Castle to Watnall (15.6m)

Thank you for joining us on the Robin Hood Walk to raise money for research into early detection of breast cancer. Your support will help develop a blood test to detect breast cancer whilst it is still curable.

The Robin Hood Way is a 105 mile long distance footpath winding its way through some of the historic sites and lovely parks in Nottinghamshire. The walking is easy and pleasurable, being mostly flat and on good trails and paths. We have divided the walk in to seven stages, of about 15 miles each day. Walking at a comfortable pace, with time to stop for lunch and photos this should take 8-9 hours. As each stage is linear, you need to organise transport to the start and finish of each stage. We have provided details of public transport where possible and parking facilities under the description of each stage below. Or you could visit our walk Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Robin-Hood-Walk-for-Early-Detection-of-Breast-Cancer-190171131345826/ to see if you can join together with other walkers to share transport.

We start the walk at Nottingham Castle, then walk along the canal to the Marina before entering University Park and walking along the south shore of the lake with lovely views of the Portland building and heron spotting opportunities. Walking through the grounds of the University, we reach Wollaton Park with the impressive Wollaton Hall and deer park. Leaving Wollaton Park we go through Bramcote Hills and Bramcote Park to reach the Hemlock Stone. After crossing the Nottingham canal, we reach Trowell Moor with fine views over to Wollaton Hall, before reaching the picturesque village of Strelley with its historic church and hall. Our route then takes us through Kimberley, across fields with views of Greasley church to reach Watnall.

Transport: NottsBus number 531 from Watnall Main Road to Phoenix Park Interchange then tram to Nottingham city centre. We have also negotiated a price with a local taxi company depending on numbers.

Parking for small number of cars in lay-by near the Queen’s Head pub on B600

Starting by the Queens Head pub, on the B600, we walk across fields to Bulwell Hall and the golf course, before reaching Mill Lakes at Bestwood County Park. The route takes us through Bestwood Village, out across fields to re-enter Bestwood Country Park by Alexandra Lodge. We walk through woods, along the Collier’s Path to Violet Hill, before following narrow roads and tracks to reach Papplewick. We go across Papplewick Moor, to reach Seven Mile Inn and then Burntstump Country Park. Our path takes us through the park to reach the Victorian Papplewick Pumping Station, then along a wide forest track in Sansom Wood to reach a track that takes us down into Blidworth.

Transport: Local taxi depending on numbers

Robin Hood Walk for Early Detection of Breast CancerSaturday 11th June – Friday 17th June 2016

Day 2: Sunday 12th June - Watnall to Blidworth (15.6m)

These boots were made for walking…

Day 3: Monday 13th June - Blidworth to Farnsfield (13.8m)

Day 4: Tuesday 14th June - Farnsfield to Eakring (16.3m)

Day 5: Wednesday 15th June - Eakring to Cresswell Crags (16.6m)

Starting by the Queens Head pub, on the B600, we walk across fields to Bulwell Hall and the golf course, before reaching Mill Lakes at Bestwood County Park. The route takes us through Bestwood Village, out across fields to re-enter Bestwood Country Park by Alexandra Lodge. We walk through woods, along the Collier’s Path to Violet Hill, before following narrow roads and tracks to reach Papplewick. We go across Papplewick Moor, to reach Seven Mile Inn and then Burntstump Country Park. Our path takes us through the park to reach the Victorian Papplewick Pumping Station, then along a wide forest track in Sansom Wood to reach a track that takes us down into Blidworth.

Transport: Local taxi depending on numbers

Starting by the Black Bull pub in Blidworth, we head across fields towards the outskirts of Ravenshead, continuing south through woods to Papplewick Hall. We now take the well-marked track into Newstead Abbey Park and the Abbey which was once the home of Lord Byron. The path then takes us through Normanshill Wood, into Thieves’ Wood, past Fountaindale School,into Harlow Wood and past Portland College. Beyond Harlow Wood, we pass Friar Tuck’s well and head back across fields along a small lane to Blidworth. We then head east across fields towards White Post Farm to reach the pleasant village of Farnsfield.

Transport: Stagecoach East Midlands number 28 from Farnsfield (St Michaels Church) to Blidworth (Mansfield Road or Harlow Street)

Parking at Southwell trail car park in Farnsfield, grid ref: 644573

Starting at the church in Farnsfield, we head south across fields, then along a lane, through Coombs Wood, with optional short climb (one mile return) to reach Robin Hood Hill (~120 metres), with its lovely views of Nottinghamshire. We then continue eastwards along an undulating path to the small village of Halam. Our route now skirts the southern side of the small market town of Southwell, with its beautiful Minster. We head towards Southwell Workhouse, before walking alongside the river Greet to reach the disused railway line of Southwell trail. We leave the Southwell trail at an old station house, heading past Osmanthorpe Manor to reach Kirklington. We follow the path across fields, then through Dilliner Wood and Mansey Common to reach the village of Eakring.

Transport will be shared between walkers and helpers on this stage

Parking 1 mile south of Eakring near Redgate Wood, grid ref: 675603

Starting by the Savile Arms pub at Eakring, we go across fields to Rufford Country Park, before crossing more fields to reach the River Maun. The path follows the river to Forge Bridge, then through New Lodge Plantation to reach Sherwood Forest Country Park. We walk through the woods in the Country Park for several miles to reach Hazel Gap. The route then goes through Welbeck Park, passing through the village of Norton to reach Tile Kiln wood. We pass through the hamlet of Holbeck, then across fields to the World Heritage Site of Cresswell Crags, with its limestone gorge and caves.

Transport will be shared between walkers and helpers on this stage

Parking at Cresswell Crags visitor centre, grid ref: 538744 (£3 for all day parking)

Day 6: Thursday 16th June - Cresswell Crags to Haughton (12.8m)

Day 7: Friday 17th June - Haughton to Edwinstowe (13.4m)Our final day takes in two of Nottinghamshire’s great parks. We start at the parking area on the B6387 between Walesby and Bothamsall (grid ref: 680728). We walk back along the track to turn right onto the Robin Hood Way, which we follow across fields, passing north of the village of Walesby, then through Blackcliffe Hall plantation, before reaching Clumber Country Park again. We walk for several miles through the country park before reaching Hazel Gap. From Hazel Gap, we cross the River Meden to reach Sherwood Forest Country Park, and walk for several miles through the forest to reach the Major Oak. The Major Oak is Britain’s biggest oak tree, under which, according to legend, Robin Hood and his Merry Men slept. The route passes the visitor centre, before heading south to our finish point at Edwinstowe church.

Transport will be shared between walkers and helpers on this stage

Parking in Edwinstowe, grid ref: 624672

Starting by the visitor centre at Cresswell Crags, we head east, past Welbeck Abbey, to cross the end of the Great Lake of Welbeck. We walk along Drinking Pit Lane, through woods and head into Clumber Park to reach the visitor centre, by Clumber Lake. Our path takes us along the side of the lake, before crossing over the lake to reach Hardwick Village. We leave Clumber Park to walk alongside Normanton Larches plantation, then Crookford Hill to the village of Elkesley. The path now takes us through Elkesely Wood, then across fields, crossing the river Meden and a disused railway to reach Haughton Hall Farm. We then turn right, off the Robin Hood Way, after crossing over the river Maun along a track to reach the B6387 and a parking area.

Transport will be shared between walkers and helpers on this stage

Parking on B6387, grid ref: 681727

Don’t ever mention going

for a walk again….