In the centre of Sutton in Ashfield stands Lindley’s Mill, one of only two stone windmills in Nottinghamshire. The other is in Warsop. The mill is a Grade II listed building and was built in the 1820s. It offers a tangible point of interest for anyone planning local architectural history alongside outdoor activities during their trip.

Nature, wildlife and open landscapes

Silverhill Wood can be explored on foot or by bicycle, with the car park on Silverhill Lane serving as a starting point. The wood has a network of surfaced paths. With a little luck, you may spot buzzards, kestrels, green woodpeckers and skylarks. The area combines exercise on woodland paths with the chance to look out for wildlife—although sightings are not guaranteed.

Mill Waters offers a different combination of nature and landscape. The area comprises three public open spaces along the River Maun corridor. They illustrate the area’s industrial, social and natural heritage. Covering more than 70 hectares, the site offers opportunities for walking, running and cycling. Both the size of the area and the range of activities are worth considering when choosing an outing.

Kings Mill Reservoir is considered a family-friendly nature reserve. It has paid parking, including spaces for disabled visitors. For a different view across the landscape, visit the Testing for Gas monument, where panoramic views extend across five counties.

Paths and activities

The Ashfield and Mansfield Trails (West) pass through Sutton in Ashfield. Their route is about five miles long and runs mostly along disused railway lines. This makes it easy to distinguish the route from Mill Waters: the trails are described by their approximate length, while Mill Waters is described in terms of its area and the activities available there. Skegby Hall offers another historical point of interest along a route: the Grade II listed building was built around 1720 and lies on the Skegby Heritage Trail.

There are also specific places to visit for a range of active interests. Sutton Lawn offers outdoor bowling, an outdoor fitness area and a steel skatepark. The Mill Adventure Base in Sutton in Ashfield offers archery. Net Park, meanwhile, offers 45 minutes of bouncing fun with treehouses and walkways. It is considered family-friendly and is aimed at little adventurers aged three and over. Sherwood Observatory is home to one of the largest publicly accessible optical telescopes in the United Kingdom.

Discover local history

Lindley’s Mill is notable for more than its age: Nottinghamshire has only two stone windmills, and the second is in Warsop. Its Grade II listing and construction in the 1820s give the building a clear historical context. Anyone interested in the region’s history can also find a local heritage collection at Sutton-in-Ashfield Library, with materials about Sutton and the surrounding area.

The attractions offer different highlights: Silverhill Wood combines surfaced woodland paths with possible birdwatching, Mill Waters combines open spaces with several ways to get active, and the trails have an approximate route length. There are also individual destinations such as the windmill, Skegby Hall and the observatory. When planning your stay, you can therefore start by deciding whether nature watching, exercise or local history should shape your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Haughton, Upper Broughton, West Bridgford, Eastwood, Underwood, Mansfield, Whatton, Blidworth.

For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.