It's free! It's fun! And it's a great way to get fit. Yes, you've guessed it – walking! Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas has some amazing countryside and walking is one of the best ways to enjoy it.
Just 30-minutes of brisk walking on a daily basis can benefit your health and quality of life, and as it's an activity you can do with all the family, its a great social activity too. However, if you still need an incentive to get out walking, we've taken a look at some circular routes in the county – all starting and ending in the pub!
The walks vary in length and location, so hopefully there is something for everyone. Plus, many of the public houses serve food and some offer accommodation, so you could certainly make a day or even a weekend of your adventure.
READ MORE: The ins and outs of Nottinghamese - and what makes our accent so special
One of the shortest walks on the list is three miles in length, while the longest is a 6.3 mile route, which could take you around four hours to complete. Here's what we found.
Car Colston
This three and a half mile circular walk starts and ends at the 18th Century Royal Oak pub (NG13 8JE) which sits on one of the largest village greens in the country.
The walk is mainly across grassy paths, across agricultural land and through some lovely villages. It starts at the pub takes you through to Scarrington and back to the Royal Oak.
The pub won the Vale of Belvoir and Nottinghamshire CAMRA pub of the year in 2020 and 2009. It is open seven days a week for food and drinks. Details of opening times can be found on its website: royaloakcarcolston.co.uk
Everton
This three-mile walk starts and ends at the Blacksmith's Arms, in Church Street (DN10 5BQ). The location has a Doncaster postcode but is designated to be in Nottinghamshire.
This walk will take around 90 minutes and is mostly flat with one steep climb into the woods.
Along the way you will pass through Scaftworth village and the hamlet of Harwell.
The dog-friendly pub serves food and has rooms available if you fancy an overnight stay. It describes itself as "a traditional pub in the heart of Everton Village". The pub is closed on Monday's with varying opening times the rest of the week, which can be found here blacksmithsarmseverton.co.uk/.
Woodborough
The 6.3 mile route will take around four hours and starts and ends at the Nags Head pub, in Main Street (NG14 6DD).
Here walkers will discover the hidden dells of Lambley's Dumbles but be warned, there are undulating paths, green lanes and more than 20 stiles to negotiate.
However, you will get to see rolling Nottinghamshire farmland on the way, all finished by a pint and some food in the Nags Head which is open from noon every day. Menus can be seen here: www.nagsheadwoodborough.co.uk/
Norwell Circular
The walk around this pretty village begins and ends at The Plough, in Main Street (NG23 6JN).
The route is around four miles and takes around two hours.
The terrain is flat and takes you across field paths and quiet, country lanes. Along the way you will see a medieval moat which would have been the location of a prebendal manor hall.
The pub is open seven days a week serving food and drink in a friendly atmosphere.
This article was updated on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
