Rowthorne and Pleasley Trails

Now reclaimed by human activity and natural regeneration, the trails offer opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding.

The trails pass through Local Nature Reserve (LNR) habitats of great wildlife value, such as mature Oak and Ash woodlands, wildflower meadows, limestone grassland terraces and pools and wetlands.

Rowthorne Trail LNR
The LNR can be accessed via Rowthorne Lane at the northern end of the trail. At the southern end the trail links into the Pleasley/Teversal Trails network at Batley Lane, where there are steps and a steep ramp down to the road.

The trails are pedestrian access only, unsurfaced in places, with some steep slopes and steps.

The steep embankments of this disused railway provide excellent habitats for a wide range of limestone loving plants, whilst some areas are developing as Oak woodland.

Wetter areas at the foot of the embankment and a small streamside meadow provide valuable habitats for plants, grass snakes, butterflies and moths.

At the Batley Lane end the LNR includes part of the Teversal to Pleasley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the majority of which is in Nottinghamshire.

A leaflet of circular walks, starting at Rowthorne car park and including areas of the Hardwick estate, has been produced in partnership with the National Trust (opens in a new window) and is available from our visitor centres.