You can plan a visit to Underwood around several distinct themes: the history of St Michael and All Angels and the local colliery, routes for walks and cycling, and Felley Animal Experiences, a small farm in the village. This lets you organise your stay around specific interests rather than combining different experiences into a single itinerary. There are separate points of interest for cultural history, literature and outdoor activities.
Church and Local History
Underwood St Michael and All Angels Church was consecrated on 29 September 1890. Its architecture reflects the 14th-century style, including ashlar walls, a plain tiled roof and a shingled spire. The lancet windows are also in the 14th-century style. St Michael’s is open for Chatterbox Cafe every Thursday morning from 10 am to 12 noon. Check the latest information on these opening hours before visiting.
The war memorial in the church consists of a clock, an east window and a plaque mounted on the outside of the east wall. It commemorates local officers and soldiers who fell in the First World War, from 1914 to 1918. The church therefore brings together architectural history and a specific remembrance of people from the area.
The colliery is also part of the village’s history. Its name changed first to Selston Colliery and then, in the early 1970s, to Pye Hill No. 1 Colliery. The two names record different phases of mining history, without requiring a visit to be part of your itinerary.
Trails, Literature and Landscape
Underwood lies in the Hidden Valleys area, which offers numerous waymarked walking, cycling and horse-riding routes. Two cycling routes cover different areas: the Sutton and Eastwood Loop Cycling Trail passes through Underwood. The Broxtowe Country Trail runs alongside Moorgreen Reservoir towards Underwood. This gives you a clear distinction for planning: one route through the village and another following the reservoir towards Underwood.
The “Literary landscapes” walk passes through part of the historic Annesley Park estate. The estate was a major inspiration to Lord Byron and D. H. Lawrence. This literary focus complements the waymarked trails and the cycling route through Underwood. If you are planning your journey to the walk, there are direct bus services from Eastwood and Mansfield. The stop is on the A608 in Underwood, at the top of Felley Mill Lane; check the current timetable before travelling.
Animal Experiences and Tea Room
Felley Animal Experiences is a small farm in Underwood, Nottinghamshire. It offers interactive animal experiences, including petting and feeding animals and brushing donkeys. This is a separate activity from the themes of the church, history and trails. If you would like to include animal experiences in your plans, these activities provide a specific starting point for choosing.
At Felley Priory, the gardens and Tea Room are accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible toilets are located at the Tea Room and the garden entrance. The Farmhouse Tea Room serves cakes, scones and light meals made with local ingredients. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements are catered for. Check the latest visitor information on access and toilets before your visit.
Getting There and Access
You can reach Underwood by car via junction 27 of the M1 and then the A608. Langley Mill and Hucknall are possible railway stations for your journey; check onward connections when planning your trip. The bus information relates specifically to the “Literary landscapes” walk: the direct services from Eastwood and Mansfield serve access to it.
When planning your visit, also take account of the access restriction at Haggs Farm: it is on private land and is not open to the public. Do not plan a public visit there.
Discover more destinations: Blidworth, Misterton, Carlton, Edwinstowe, Upper Broughton, Coddington, Chilwell, Southwell.
For the wider travel overview: Nottinghamshire.
