Walk 7: Farnsfield and Bilsthorpe via Bilsthorpe Moor



A circular walk starting from Farnsfield and going to Bilsthorpe taking the direct but lesser used route across arable fields, returning along the Southwell Trail, a disused railway line.

I hope to publish more detailed directions soon anyway but they can be provided if you contact me.

Distance: 7.2 km

Map of Route

From the Co-op entrance turn left along the Main Street crossing Tippings Lane.  Just after the Rustic Crust pizzeria cross the Main Street and turn up New Hill.  Go past the village centre and library.  At the top of the hill continue straight on over two crossroads, passing the tennis club.  600m from the Main Street the road descends and you leave the village.  Climb out of a dip where the old railway line crossed and then go down to automatic gates across the road.  Go through a smaller gate to the right to enter the Hexgreave Estate.

Keep going straight on along the road, which has very little traffic, for 600m to a junction.

Look just ahead to the left and you see a stile going into a field.  Go over it and bear left uphill towards the hedge on the left.  The path is usually clear but if not aim for the left hand corner and follow the hedge to the top of the hill.

Carry on straight down the hill in another field towards the A617 and cross the road carefully at the footpath signpost.

In the next field the path isn't always clear but go almost straight on, bearing slightly left, up a slope.  At the top you should see a hedge ahead at the far end of the field and another hedge line slightly nearer.  Aim for the right hand end of this hedge line.

At the hedge turn left for 100m down to the road into Bilsthorpe.  Turn right into the village after crossing the road but only 80m along turn left along a path into a field.  As you reach the open field bear left along a tree line.  Near an embankment at the end of the field bear right to go through a small tunnel.  Then go right up some steps to reach the Southwell Trail, a disused railway line.  Turn right and walk along the track for 2km until you reach the edge of Farnsfield and a junction of tracks. 

Here take the path going almost straight on for 100m to a metal gate.  Go through it and follow the path to reach the end of a cul-de-sac.  Turn left and cross the road.  After 100m turn down an alleyway between houses on the right.  This takes you onto Station Lane.  Turn left for 50m then cross to the entrance to the cricket club.  Go into the car park and turn left around the edge of the pitch.  Step over a low fence into a park and bear right with football goals and a basketball court to your left.  At the end of the park go down steps and a path to reach the main Mansfield Road into Farnsfield.  Cross the road, turn left and follow the road past the Lion pub to the Green, where there is a small island with a tree in it and the main bus stop.  Continue along the main road past the church and along the Main Street to the Co-op.

Southwell Trail

Road to Hexgreave

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