Blidworth offers visitor experiences ranging from open landscapes to local history. In Blidworth Woods, pine forest and open heathland shape the landscape; Tippings Wood adds wetlands, grassland and broadleaved woodland. St Mary of the Purification and Blidworth Colliery Village lead to different chapters of the local past. If you’re looking for a focus for your stay, you can first choose between habitats and trails on the one hand, and the church and settlement history on the other.
Woods, Heathland and Trails
Three waymarked walking trails start at the car park on Longdale Lane, providing access to Blidworth Woods. One of them is surfaced and offers step-free access. There is also a waymarked 9 km horse-riding route in the Woods. The options differ by activity: walkers can choose from three trails, while the 9 km route is specifically designated for horse riding. The surfaced, step-free section applies to one of the walking trails.
Tippings Wood offers a different landscape. The area includes wetlands and grassland on a former colliery spoil heap, as well as broadleaved woodland with oak and birch. Unlike the pines and open heathland of Blidworth Woods, it therefore features different habitats. For cyclists, the location is specific: National Cycle Route 6 runs through Boundary Wood, immediately next to Tippings Wood.
The Blidworth Heritage Trails can also be explored on foot; they were publicly launched in July 2025. Together with the walking trails in Blidworth Woods, they offer different starting points for a stay centred on walking.
Church, Tradition and Settlement History
St Mary of the Purification is a Grade II* listed building. Only the west tower of the medieval church remains. According to local tradition, Will Scarlet was buried in the churchyard. The Rocking Ceremony is celebrated at St Mary’s in Blidworth at Candlemas; this tradition is considered probably unique to the village. At the church, a listed building, a local legend and a village tradition come together.
Blidworth Colliery Village was one of the largest carefully planned colliery settlements built in the Nottinghamshire Coalfield during the interwar period. The Industrial Housing Association (IHA) laid out the settlement for the mining company and built it according to the garden city principles common at the time. Compared with the medieval church, the Village belongs to a different period: its story is about the planning and construction of a colliery settlement in the coalfield. Together, the church and settlement offer two different ways into local history, from the surviving part of a medieval building to a planned residential settlement of the interwar period.
Practical Information
Blidworth Leisure Centre allows you to book a range of leisure classes and activities online. If a particular class matters for your stay, check the current programme and booking options in advance. This lets you choose a class based on the information available, rather than assuming a particular activity is offered.
Discover more destinations: South Clifton, Ordsall, Clipstone, Trowell, Upper Broughton, Torworth, Clayworth, Underwood
For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.
