Shipley Country Park, Nottingham

Park near Nottingham

Converted Water Tower in Shipley Country Park

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jonathan Clitheroe

Shipley Country Park, just outside Heanor, is a surprisingly varied landscape of reservoirs, wooded slopes, open meadows and wide skies, spread across 700 acres of former estate and coalfield land. With around 18 miles of footpaths and bridleways, it invites you to slow down and explore on foot, by bike or on horseback, whether you are here for an energetic day out or a gentle stroll with a coffee. From quiet bird-watching spots by the water to broad tracks perfect for family walks and buggy-friendly outings, it offers that rare mix of feeling spacious yet easy to navigate.

Recognised with the Green Flag Award every year since 2008 and Country Park Accreditation from Natural England, Shipley Country Park is one of the best places to visit in Heanor if you value well-managed green space with good facilities. Through the seasons there is always something different to enjoy: spring blossom and birdsong, summer picnics and kite-flying, autumn colours in the woods and crisp winter walks. It is also a great place to visit on a walking tour of Heanor and the wider Erewash Valley, linking old mining villages, countryside and local heritage.

History and Significance of Shipley Country Park
Things to See and Do in the Shipley Country Park
How to Get to the Shipley Country Park
Practical Tips on Visiting the Shipley Country Park
Where to Stay close to the Shipley Country Park
Is the Shipley Country Park Worth Visiting
FAQs for Visiting Shipley Country Park
Nearby Attractions to the Shipley Country Park

History and Significance of Shipley Country Park

The landscape around Shipley has long been shaped by both nature and industry. Once part of a landed estate and later scarred by coal mining, the area has been carefully restored and reimagined as a country park, proving that post-industrial landscapes can become rich habitats and much-loved community spaces. Today’s reservoirs, lakes, woods and meadows sit where pits, spoil heaps and tramways once dominated, and you can still get hints of this history in the contours of the land and occasional interpretation boards.

The park’s recognition with the Green Flag Award every year since 2008 underlines its quality as a public green space, meeting national standards for maintenance, accessibility, safety and community involvement. In 2011, Country Park Accreditation from Natural England further confirmed that Shipley offers not just pleasant scenery, but a well-managed, multi-purpose landscape for recreation, education and wildlife. These accolades reflect years of investment and volunteer effort to turn a patchwork of former industrial land into a biodiverse park where people and nature sit side by side.

Today, Shipley Country Park is valued by local residents, day-trippers and visitors from further afield as a place to walk dogs, teach kids to ride a bike, watch birds on the water or simply get a breath of fresh air away from traffic. Its mix of open views, shaded woodland and accessible paths means you can tailor your day to your energy level and interests, whether that is a long circular hike or a gentle potter between the Visitor Centre, play areas and the nearest lakes.

Things to See and Do in the Shipley Country Park

The heart of most visits is the network of paths that criss-cross the 700-acre park. With around 18 miles of footpaths and bridleways, you can choose from short loops around lakes and woodlands to longer circuits that take you out into quieter corners. The terrain varies from wide, well-surfaced tracks suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters to narrower paths that feel more like traditional countryside footpaths. Waymarked routes and maps from the Visitor Centre make it easy to plan a walk that suits your group.

Water is a constant presence here. Reservoirs and smaller lakes are home to wildfowl and other birdlife, making them ideal spots for bird-watching and quiet photography. Anglers can often be seen dotted along the banks, and the reflections of trees and sky in the water give the park a tranquil feel even on busy days. In summer, the meadows around the lakes are dotted with wildflowers and buzzing insects, while in winter the bare branches and mist over the water create a more subtle beauty.

For families and active visitors, the list of possible activities is long: walking, cycling, horse-riding, jogging, wayfaring, kite-flying, picnicking and casual wildlife watching all fit naturally into a day here. Children can burn off energy in the adventure play area, while younger ones enjoy the toddler playground near the Visitor Centre. The mix of open grass areas and shady woodland also makes Shipley a good training ground for beginner cyclists, with plenty of space to practise.

Accessibility is a clear focus too. The park offers Tramper hire (an off-road mobility scooter) for disabled visitors, allowing those with limited mobility to enjoy more of the paths and viewpoints than would otherwise be possible; advance booking is essential via the park’s contact number. For many visitors, that combination of inclusive access, varied landscapes and easy-to-find facilities is what turns a simple country walk into a full day out that everyone can enjoy.

How to Get to the Shipley Country Park

For visitors coming from further afield, the nearest major airport is East Midlands Airport, which serves domestic and international flights and sits within driving distance of Heanor and the wider Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire area. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Nottingham on Booking.com. From there, you can hire a car or connect by public transport towards Derby, Nottingham or local towns before continuing to the park.

By train, the closest mainline stations are typically in nearby towns and cities such as Derby, Nottingham or Ilkeston, from where you can take local buses or taxis to Heanor and on to Shipley Country Park.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. This makes it feasible to visit the park as a day trip using a combination of rail and bus, especially if you check timetables in advance.

Bus services run between Heanor, surrounding villages and nearby urban centres, often stopping within walking distance of the park entrance or Visitor Centre car parks. Check local routes for services that mention Shipley or Heanor as key stops, and factor in a short walk from the bus stop to the main facilities.

Travelling by car is straightforward, with signed approaches from Heanor and major local roads. There is parking near the Visitor Centre, making it easy to start your visit with a map, information and a coffee before heading out onto the trails. Drivers can also use the park as a base to explore other parts of the Erewash Valley or nearby Derbyshire attractions.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Shipley Country Park

Suggested tips: Bring comfortable walking shoes, layers for changeable weather and, if you plan to stay a while, a picnic blanket or lightweight camping chairs for lakeside breaks.
Best time to visit: The park is attractive year-round: spring and summer bring wildflowers, lush foliage and longer days, while autumn colours in the woods and crisp winter air offer quieter, atmospheric walks.
Entrance fee: Free entry. Car parking charges apply.
Opening hours: Generally open daily during daylight hours; car parks and facilities follow typical daytime opening, with seasonal variations.
Official website: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/shipley/
How long to spend: Allow at least half a day to walk one or two circular routes and enjoy the play areas and café; a full day lets you explore further trails or include cycling, horse-riding or extended picnics.
Accessibility: Main paths near the Visitor Centre and around some lakes are relatively level and suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters; Tramper hire is available for disabled visitors, but must be booked in advance.
Facilities: The Visitor Centre offers toilets, a café, a wildlife garden, toddler play area and adventure playground, along with maps and information; additional benches, picnic tables and viewpoints are scattered around the park.
Photography tip: Early morning and late afternoon light works beautifully over the lakes and meadows; look for reflections, birdlife on the water and contrasting textures between woodland shadows and open sky.
Guided tours: Check for occasional ranger-led walks, family activity days or nature events, which can add insight into the park’s wildlife, history and land restoration.
Nearby food options: Besides the on-site café, pubs and cafés in Heanor and nearby villages make easy pre- or post-walk stops, especially if you are combining the park with a wider day out in Derbyshire.

Where to Stay close to the Shipley Country Park

If you want to make the most of Shipley Country Park and the surrounding area, staying nearby allows you to enjoy quiet early-morning or evening walks without a long drive. In the wider Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area you will find a mix of hotels, guesthouses and countryside inns. For a comfortable base with easy road access to the park and nearby towns, The Derbyshire Hotel is a good option just off the M1. Closer to local countryside, Eastwood Hall offers a country-house style stay within a reasonable drive of Heanor and Shipley. If you prefer something smaller and more local, look for guesthouses or B&B-style stays in and around Heanor or the nearby villages and add them to your itinerary as you refine your trip.

Is the Shipley Country Park Worth Visiting

If you enjoy easy-going outdoor time with solid facilities and plenty of route options, Shipley Country Park is absolutely worth a visit. It is not a dramatic mountain landscape, but instead a gentle, varied countryside park where you can stroll, cycle, ride, bird-watch or simply sit by the water and unwind. The Green Flag Award and Country Park Accreditation show that it is well cared for, while the Tramper hire and family-friendly facilities make it inclusive for a wide range of visitors. Combined with nearby villages, other Derbyshire attractions and the wider Erewash Valley, it offers exactly the kind of green escape that makes a day out feel both relaxed and satisfying.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (3,198)

Shipley Country Park, Slack Lane Heanor DE75 7GX, covers 700 acres with about 20 miles of paths and bridleways for walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing; visitors praise well-maintained, varied trails, open pastures, woodlands and lakes/ponds, plus outdoor gym stations and several play areas, with a visitor centre and cafés/kiosk serving snacks and hot drinks (dogs not allowed inside but there is covered outdoor seating). Parking is available but some find the short-stay charge a little pricey, and a recent housing development near the reservoir has been noted by visitors.

richard fleckney

3 months ago

"Excellent place. Magnificent scenery. Lots of footpaths to explore and walk miles and miles and miles. Lakes ,streams,brooks etc. Wide open pastures.Woodlands. A lovely little visitor centre selling the usual ‘craft’ stuff ,snacks and light refreshment. Car park a bit expensive.£3.50 for 3 hours!..."

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Diane Reed

6 months ago

"Lots of trails, easy walking, well maintained and dry. Quite quiet(Monday week day). Car parking is plentiful and reasonably priced. Two cafésavailable as well. Shame about the massive housing development around the reservoir...."

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Steve Butler

a year ago

"Lovely walk around Osborne's Pond and a kick around with my grandson. Sat on a bench and had a picnic as the cafe has unfortunately closed down.However there is a kiosk selling hot drinks and snacks. Parking is a bit expensive at £3.50 for 3 hours if you only need an hour or so...."

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FAQs for Visiting Shipley Country Park

Entry to the park itself is generally free, though you may need to pay for parking and any chargeable events or activities.

With 18 miles of paths and bridleways, you can choose anything from a 30-60 minute stroll to a half-day or full-day walk linking several lakes, woodlands and viewpoints.

Many of the main paths near the Visitor Centre and around some lakes are well-surfaced and relatively level, making them suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters, and Tramper hire is available for disabled visitors by advance booking.

Yes, dogs are welcome, but they should be kept under control and on leads where requested, particularly around livestock, play areas and wildlife-sensitive zones.

You can cycle, horse-ride on designated bridleways, bird-watch, go angling where permitted, enjoy picnics and kite-flying, jog, practise wayfaring or orienteering and make use of the play areas and café facilities.

Nearby Attractions to the Shipley Country Park

Heanor town centre: A small Derbyshire town with local shops, cafés and pubs that pairs well with a walk in the park.
Nottingham city: A short drive away, offering museums, shopping, the castle area and cultural attractions for a more urban contrast to your park visit.
Derby city: Another nearby city with industrial heritage, museums and riverside walks along the Derwent.
Erewash Canal and Cromford Canal sections: Scenic towpath walks and cycling routes that link industrial history with waterside wildlife.
Peak District National Park (southern edge): Within driving distance for those wanting to extend a trip from gentle country park walks to more rugged hill and moorland scenery.

The Shipley Country Park appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Nottingham!

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