Warsop's Countryside

Hills & Holes SSSI
Click on the links below to explore this area

Lord Stubbins Wood SSSI
The site comprises one of the best remaining semi-natural broad-leaved woods in Nottinghamshire and is of Regional importance.
The site is a fine example of an ash-wych elm wood developed on well-drained soil overlying the Permian Lower Magnesian Limestone. In some areas in the north of the wood the plant communities are characteristic of acid soils with rowan Sorbus aucuparia locally abundant and with colonies of bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus. Elsewhere, the wood is dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior and oak Quercus robur with frequent wych-elm Ulmus glabra and a wide variety of other tree and shrub species including colonies of wild service tree Sorbus torminalis.
The herb flora is characteristic of ancient, semi-natural broad-leaved woods in the East Midlands and includes such typical species as water avens Geum rivale, early-purple orchid Orchis mascula, yellow archangel Galeobdolon luteum and wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella.
(Information from Natural England)

Collier Spring Wood
This wood borders on Wood Lane in Church Warsop. Its name indicates an old woodland with a history of charcoal burning and coppicing. Recent management has restored the character of a working woodland and reductions in the canopy encourage a superb display of bluebells each spring. Collier Spring Wood was once part of an extensive band of woodland extending through Minster Wood and Lord Stubbins Wood. However most of Minster Wood has been lost below the waste from Warsop Main Colliery but the restored tip is now becoming woodland once more.

The Carrs
This public park between Market Warsop and Church Warsop includes a mill pond, recreational facilities and a Local Nature Reserve. This reserve forms a wildlife corridor alongside the River Meden including, grassland, wetland and woodland habitats.

The Bottoms
This Local Nature Reserve covers important wetland and woodland habitats alongside the River Meden at Meden Vale communities.

Birklands
The Forest of Birklands which runs along the eastern side of Warsop was part of the ancient Royal Sherwood Forest. Although it is now mainly under conifer plantations managed by the Forestry Commission many traces of its past use by dukes and kings remain. Ancient oaks, old lime trees, 18th century rides, old Forest and boundary stones are just a few of the significant historical features of Birklands.

Peafield Plantation
To the south-east of Warsop at the northern end of this plantation alongside Peafield Lane stands the Parliament Oak. This remarkable tree marked the edge of the royal deer park at Clipstone. Local tradition says the ancient barons met here with King John to discuss the terms of the Magna Charta which was later signed at Runnymede.

Shirebrook Woods
Whilst Shirebrook Colliery was operating it generously deposited some if its waste over the county boundary into Warsop! Now the colliery has closed and the pit tip has been restored and renamed Shirebrook Woods. The network of paths provide fine views over the Parish of Warsop.