Attractions and places to see around Clipston offer a blend of historical sites and natural landscapes in Nottinghamshire. This area is known for its industrial heritage, including former coal mining sites, and its royal connections to Sherwood Forest. Visitors can explore diverse environments, from tranquil lakes and nature reserves to historical landmarks.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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The Domesday Book records a church and priest at Colwick in 1086. The church that now stands in ruins was largely built by Sir John Byron in the 16th Century but incorporates 14th and 15th Century sections from an earlier church. The building at that time probably had a spire not a plain tower. By 1912 the roof of the church was in a poor state. Although repairs made the building serviceable again for a few years, the condition of the church continued to deteriorate and by 1920 some of the services were being held in the Schoolrooms in wintertime and later in a newly built Parish Hall. From 1923 some marriages were conducted in the Parish Hall. In Mar 1924, the down-pipes were repaired and the walls pointed. The roof was again repaired but its condition continued to give concern and in 1933 the church was abandoned as dangerous. It was finally closed as being unsafe in March 1936, and in November 1936, the principal beam of the roof gave way.
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The Canal side Heritage Centre also has a nice tea room with a garden and nice clean toilets. Over the canal next to the Marina Chandlery is another cafe and a licensed bar. On street parking is available behind the Marina. Beeston Railway Station is only a couple of minutes bike ride away.
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just a short detour off the route but worth the stop. quite stunning - and very noisy π
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Love this place. On both sides! Beeston side offers a cafΓ© on the lock (+ Marina Club a little further down). Clifton side offers beautiful woodlands nearby.
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A cozy pub with history - whether the story is real or well-invented
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Clipston, Nottinghamshire, offers several natural attractions. You can enjoy a gentle walk around Highfields Lake, University Park, which features a lakeside cafe and arts centre. For wildlife enthusiasts, Netherfield Lagoons Nature Reserve, a former coal slurry dump, provides diverse habitats for waders, wildfowl, and warblers. Additionally, Vicar Water Country Park, developed from former spoil tips, offers hills, ponds, woodlands, and heathland, while Sherwood Pines Forest Park provides a densely wooded area for exploration.
Yes, Clipston has a rich history. You can visit Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem β The Oldest Inn in England, a pub claiming to be the oldest in the country. The Canalside Heritage Centre at Beeston Lock, housed in renovated weir cottages, tells the story of the waterways. Further afield, explore the iconic Clipstone Colliery Headstocks, a towering industrial landmark, and the ruined walls of King John's Palace, a medieval royal residence with connections to Sherwood Forest.
Families can enjoy feeding ducks at Beeston Lock, which also has a riverside cafe. A gentle walk around Highfields Lake, University Park, is also popular, with options for rowing boats during spring and summer. The Canalside Heritage Centre at Beeston Lock offers an engaging look into local history, and Netherfield Lagoons Nature Reserve is great for spotting wildlife.
Clipston offers various options for walking and running. You can find numerous running trails, including routes like the Grantham Canal Path and Cotgrave Forest loops, by exploring the Running Trails around Clipston guide. For a more relaxed stroll, the circuit around Highfields Lake, University Park, provides a pleasant urban walk. Vicar Water Country Park and Sherwood Pines Forest Park also offer extensive paths through woodlands and open spaces.
Yes, the area around Clipston is suitable for cycling. You can discover various gravel biking routes, such as the Erewash and Trent Valley Loop, in the Gravel biking around Clipston guide. For mountain biking, explore trails like those around Regatta Lake and Cotgrave Country Park Lake, detailed in the MTB Trails around Clipston guide.
Visitors particularly enjoy the blend of history and nature. Many appreciate the cozy atmosphere and historical significance of Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, especially its beer garden. The tranquil setting of Highfields Lake with its cafe and the opportunity to feed ducks at Beeston Lock are also highly rated. The area's industrial heritage, particularly the Clipstone Colliery Headstocks, also draws significant interest.
Several attractions offer refreshment options. Beeston Lock has a riverside cafe and bar. Highfields Lake, University Park, features a lakeside cafe and arts centre. The Canalside Heritage Centre at Beeston Lock includes a nice tea room with a garden. And of course, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is a historic pub with a beer garden.
Yes, Netherfield Lagoons Nature Reserve offers commanding views of the area from its raised causeway. Highfields Lake, University Park, provides scenic views, especially from its lakeside cafe. Additionally, the Clipstone Colliery Headstocks offer a unique industrial viewpoint, and Vicar Water Country Park provides varied landscapes of hills and ponds.
The Clipstone Colliery Headstocks are iconic industrial landmarks from the former coal mining industry in Nottinghamshire. Built in the 1950s, they were once the tallest in Europe and now stand as a significant representation of the village's mining heritage. The colliery operated from 1922 until its closure in 2003.
Absolutely. The Canalside Heritage Centre at Beeston Lock is dedicated to telling the story of the waterways. Located in renovated weir cottages, it offers insights into the lives of people who worked on the canal. Beeston Lock itself is a picturesque section of the canal, carrying boats from the River Trent to Nottingham.
Yes, the area has royal connections, particularly through King John's Palace. These ruined walls near Kings Clipstone are the remains of a medieval royal residence, believed to have been used by King John for hunting trips into Sherwood Forest. It's even thought that King John held a parliament here in 1212.


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