Thoresby Hall Hotel, Nottinghamshire - 8 to 12 June 2026
Images Copyright © 2026 Cheshunt u3a
Behind the Thoresby Hall bike shed.
The three routes cycled by Richard's group
© Copyright - 2026 Google - Map data
Tuesday 09/06/2026
Stats - 10 Riders, 33 Miles, sun and showers. Pilot - Richard.
Headed north through the pig farm and onto decent tracks through Clumber Park (NT) to Worksop and onto Chesterfield Canal. Enjoyed a ‘refreshment’ stop in the sunshine at Lockkeepers Pub then back on canal again.
At Shireoaks took to road through the pretty village of Whitwell, past the quarries to Creswell Crags Visitors Centre for lunch on their café terrace, overlooking the tree canopy and lush natural landscape. Then, fed and watered, off through the gorge alongside the reflective lake cycling in the footsteps of early man and woolly mammoths, to Shirebrook via the Archaeological Way.
There we picked up NCN 648 along the sometimes sandy track into Sherwood Forest and back to Thorseby.
Wednesday 10/06/2026
Stats - 7 Riders, 35 Miles, sun and showers. Pilot - Richard.
West out of Thorseby by road picking up tracks on NCN6 into Sherwood Forest, diverted off to visit the (since confirmed dead) Major Oak, then the Visitors Centre.
Through Sherwood Pines, passing the Dog & Duck at Kings Clipstone then the Clipstone Colliery Headstocks, to Rumbles Café at Vicar Water Country Park for a cuppa. A short, sharp shower we quickly moved inside until it passed. A bit of a drenching cycling through The Pines on NCN 645 eastwards but we were partly shielded by the trees then out came the sun to dry us off and we cycled by very quiet country lanes up to Laxton (Englands last Open Field Village).
More quiet lanes and beautiful countryside for lunch at the Chillipetals Café, Tuxford. Now refreshed, it was uphill past Tuxford Windmill heading by road and track, partly along the Dukeries trail, through the villages of West Markham and Bothamstall on to Thoresby.
Thursday 11/06/2026
Stats - 9 riders, 11 miles, RAIN! Pilot - Richard.
Along with the other groups, following the heavy and continuous rain, we decided for the first time ever it was not prudent to undertake our planned ride to Pleasley Pit. Instead, we all headed into Clumber Park by various routes. Ours was though the pig farm, along Dukeries trail and into the Park from it’s East Gate to the Lake Brew café, but didn’t stop! Took route over the weir and along the south side of the lake, crossing Clumber Ornamental Bridge to the NT café, where we did stop! Then retracing our route partly, it was back to Thorseby to dry out. Wet, but satisfied.
Two routes cycled by Steve's group
Wednesday 10/06/2026
Group photo at the 800 hundred to 1000 year old Major Oak in Sherwood Forest.
Outbound - to Pleasley Pit via Sherwood Forest (coffee at the visitors centre), Market Warsop and lunch at the colliery café.
Return - to Thoresby via Shirebrook, Church Warsop, Market Warsop using sections of the Dukeries Trail.
Stats - 36 mile loop ride, mainly off road, duration inc planned stops approx 6 hrs.
Pilot - Steve. Riders - Rob, Jenny, Geoff, Trish, John, Roger, Frank and Richard.
The group left Thoresby under grey skies and imminent rain. However after 4 miles and surviving a brief shower we entered Sherwood Forest and low and behold, we were able to enjoy the rest of what was mainly a dry and sunny day.
Our intrepid riders "shooting the rapids" (puddles) at Sourdough Lane, Market Warsop.
Thursday 11/06/2026
A very soggy ride to an impressive National Trust outdoor venue.
Outbound - to Clumber park and lake (east), then onto a coffee stop at the "woof woof" dog friendly café.
Return - exit south/west over the ornamental bridge and through the ornate gates to join NCN 6. Then onto the hotel via the Thoresby Estate.
Stats - 11 mile loop ride, mainly on paths and a duration including stops of 3 hrs.
Pilot - Steve, standing in for Geoff.
Riders - Rob, Jenny, Frank and Richard.
Route cycled by Rob's group
Tuesday 09/06/2026
The first cycle trip for half the moderate riders on Tuesday started off a little damp, but we managed to dodge any rain through Sherwood Forest, stopping at the rather sad looking ‘Major Oak’ and then sheltering at the visitor’s centre (closed) before continuing through Kings Clipstone for a rather late coffee stop at Rumbles Café by Vicars Water.
It was then a pleasant ride along the old disused railway line to Bilsthorpe and thence to Kneesall and Laxton. Time was against us by now and the two possible lunch stops had closed by the time we got to Tuxford. However, a local supermarket came up trumps to supply us with sandwiches and coffee which we enjoyed sitting outside in the market area.
We completed the ride via the site of Bevercotes Colliery, which was the first fully automated mine and where the miners voted 2 to 1 against strike action in the 1984/85 miners’ strike. Then along the beautiful, wooded NCN 647 route and very, very slowly on via Bothamsall to Thoresby because of a front wheel problem, to arrive after 5pm.
Three routes cycled by the Challenger group
Tuesday 09/06/2026
Stats - 10 Riders, 46.3 mi ride to Wetherspoons Pillar of Rock - (Elevation 2726ft), sun and showers. Pilot - Andy.
Starting out in unexpected sunshine, Andy led 10 followers through the extensively delightful Clumber Park. Then a stint on the A60 before an impromptu tea stop at Creswell Crags where we sat out the first downpour of the week. On to our destination in Bolsover where, over lunch, we found that the 'Beast' was a 300 year old dragonfly fossil unearthed in 1978 rather than the House of Commons MP. Back home via some Sherwood Forest private land, Clumber Park and the pig pens.
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Wednesday 10/06/2026
Stats - 55.7 mi ride to Wetherspoons The Square Sail (Elevation 1873ft). Rain. Pilot - Paul.
Paul led this longer ride beginning with some meandering climbs to East Markham. We then split into smaller groups for the benefit of overtaking traffic and it was full speed ahead with a tailwind on the A59. A decimated group mustered at 19 miles after a split near the 'adult' shop at Drinsey Nook. Off road along the Foss Dyke and a few steep backstreets brought us to the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, soon after noon, glistening in more rain. Down steep, wet cobbles to lunch.
Leaving on shared use paths to scoop up the Donny boy at Doddington we headed west on the disused Lincolnshire Loop Line into a wet headwind to cross the Trent over the Fledborough viaduct.
Cusses and disdain for Westwood Farm where our progress from Tuxford was blocked, causing an unnecessary mile on flint and rubble.
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Thursday 11/06/2026
Stats - 13.8 mi ride to Clumber Park (Elevation 597ft). Rain. Pilot - Simon.
With the arrival of the forecast bad weather cancelling the planned Chesterfield Twisted Spire ride, Simon stoutly stepped forward to take the full, hardy (foolhardy?) group to Clumber Park which had warranted further exploration after Tuesday's glimpse. Taking stock of the situation early in the Outdoors Hub, as well as refuge and coffee, varying degrees of bravado were displayed. Happily, common sense prevailed and after completing the shortest Route 1 (blue) Lakeside circuit through Hardwick Village we returned to base to enjoy the newly upgraded facilities.
Total Distance covered - 115.8 miles. Total Elevation climbed - 5196ft.
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Thoresby Hall certainly whetted the appetite for a return visit one day, with their £18 million upgrade this year - but they really will have to spend a few extra bob on a bigger bike shed!
No summary would be complete, of course, without a huge thank you to Stewart for all the background preparation and bartering which began this time last year (and has started for 2027).
To all who helped the trip go smoothly - Well Done.
The 2026 cycling holiday would not have been possible without the time, effort and work carried out by Stewart Wagstaff in arranging the holiday, the Ride Leaders for their preparation and leadership on the rides and Stewart Walter for transporting our bikes.
A big thank you from us all.
Uploaded - 08/08/2026