Blidworth Woods - Nottingham

Blidworth Woods: A Comprehensive Guide to Nottingham's Hidden Gem

Nestled in the heart of Nottinghamshire, Blidworth Woods offers a peaceful sanctuary for nature lovers, hikers, and families seeking a day out in the great outdoors. This 19-hectare woodland, managed by Forestry England, is a haven of tranquility, boasting a rich array of flora and fauna, as well as a network of well-maintained trails that cater to all levels of fitness and ability.

Main Services

• Hiking: Blidworth Woods provides a range of walking trails, from easy-going paths suitable for families and beginners to more challenging routes for experienced hikers.
• Cycling: Cyclists can enjoy the designated cycling trails, which cater to both mountain bikers and leisure cyclists.
• Picnics: The woods offer several picnic tables and open spaces, perfect for enjoying a packed lunch or a barbecue.
• Accessibility: Blidworth Woods boasts a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the woods.
• Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the woods, provided they are kept on a lead and any waste is disposed of responsibly.

Location and Access

Blidworth Woods is situated at Longdale Lane, Blidworth, Nottingham NG14 6PX, United Kingdom. The woods are easily accessible by car, with a dedicated car park located on-site. Public transportation is limited, so visitors are advised to use a car or bicycle to reach the woods.

Once you arrive, you'll find a well-signposted trail network, with clear directions for various walking, cycling, and running routes. The main car park is located at the top of the woods, with a smaller, wheelchair-accessible car park situated at the bottom.

Featured Characteristics

• Trail Network: Blidworth Woods boasts an extensive network of trails, including a 4.5km loop trail that takes in the best of the woods. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for all fitness levels.
• Wildlife and Flora: The woods are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, birds of prey, and an array of woodland birds. The flora is equally impressive, with a mix of broadleaved trees, conifers, and wildflowers adding color and interest throughout the year.
• Scenic Views: Blidworth Woods offers several scenic viewpoints, with panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of the nearby Robin Hood's Hill and the iconic Nottinghamshire skyline.

Practical Information

• Opening Times: Blidworth Woods is open every day of the year, with no specific closing time. However, visitors are advised to check the Forestry England website for any updates or closures.
• Facilities: The woods offer several picnic tables and open spaces, as well as a dedicated barbecue area. There are no on-site toilets, so visitors are advised to use the facilities at nearby cafes or pubs.
• Parking: There is a dedicated car park on-site, with space for around 30 cars. The car park is free to use, but visitors are encouraged to arrive early, particularly on busy days.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Blidworth Woods boasts an impressive average rating of 4.5/5 on Google My Business, with 184 reviews highlighting the many positive aspects of the woods. Some of the most commonly praised features include:

• The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, with many visitors commenting on the woods' ability to help them relax and escape the stresses of everyday life.
• The well-maintained trails, which are praised for their clear signposting and suitability for all ages and fitness levels.
• The abundance of wildlife and flora, with many visitors commenting on the diverse range of birds, deer, and wildflowers they encounter during their visit.
• The accessibility of the woods, with several visitors praising the wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, as well as the suitability of the trails for pushchairs and young children.
• The scenic viewpoints, with many visitors commenting on the beautiful views across the surrounding countryside.

In conclusion, Blidworth Woods is a truly special place that offers something for everyone. Whether you're a keen hiker, a family looking for a day out, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat from the stresses of modern life, Blidworth Woods is well worth a visit. With its extensive trail network, diverse wildlife and flora, and stunning scenic viewpoints, it's easy to see why this hidden gem is a firm favorite among locals and visitors alike.

👍 Reviews of Blidworth Woods

Nigel S.

5/5

Blidworth Woods is a lovely peaceful area to visit and walk around. There are lots of paths and places to explore. It is possible to do a circular walk from the top car park to the bottom car park. It is worth using a map as navigating the large amounts of paths can be challenging. There is a central path which just runs straight through the wood from the car parks. Car parks are currently free to use and there are plenty of parking spaces.

Mohamed M.

5/5

Blidworth Woods is a peaceful and scenic forest area perfect for a walk or a nature retreat, but visitors should be cautious as there is no official map or clear signposts, making it easy to lose your way if you're unfamiliar with the area. Despite this, it's a pleasant spot with useful amenities: there’s a free car park available, which makes access convenient. You’ll also find restroom facilities on-site and a small place offering snacks or light refreshments, making it a decent stop for families or casual walkers. However, it's wise to carry a phone with GPS or let someone know your plans in case you wander too deep into the woods.

Holly

1/5

Absolutely gorgeous woods. Great parking and really friendly people and food van. BUT the dog poo is so bad. We no longer go as the last couple of times we’ve come back with it on our shoes. Especially bad if you are a wheelchair user as it gets stuck in the wheels and very hard to avoid. Poo all over the side of the paths and the paths themselves. Such a shame

Chris G.

4/5

Lovely spot for a walk and a picnic, with plenty of tables provided. Easy parking.

Vik Z.

5/5

Oh wow 😳 this place is huuuuge, just goes on forever. We spent about 4 hours here with the doggies and don't think we even walked half of it. at the start there's also a big carpark which is free of charge, boooonus!! 🥳 When we got there this was packed so we parked further down the road and walked up. Even though there were lots of people during our walk we didn't actually see many people which speaks volumes about how large this woodland is. Now for the important bit: There are permissible bridleways all around the place so please be mindful of these as the horse riders can sneak up on you, like they did to us on one of the narrow pathways. Scared the living daylight out of me 🙈🤭 Theres variety of trees too and different woodlands which makes the whole place that more interesting.

Izabela ?. W.

4/5

Would love it even more if people will not leave rubbish , next my journey I am taking bin bag and will tidy up.
Different trials for different abilities(have look on map).
You can use walk app too .
Benches near quite big car park and place where you can have tea or coffee and snack.

Marcin L.

4/5

Really nice woodland. Lots of trails to walk, the only minus is lots of horse poos on main trails and no sign posts but there is microscopic map at the entrance and car park is free.

Tim N.

5/5

Lovely area to walk people and dogs. Easy for parking and there are picnic benches for a light snack. Different trails for different abilities as well as horse trails.