Best walks in the East Midlands of England by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in the East Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire)
18km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–8h.
Canal, river, wooded track, and roadside footpath. Short stretch on busy A453.
Lunch stops: Wilford Farm (1h30–2h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–5h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Attenborough Station Circular via Nature Reserve (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Good paths, nature reserve, canal, and river. Check for flooding.
Lunch stops in Beeston Lock (1h–2h in): the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre. Other lunch stop: Restaurant Sat Bains (2h–3h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Burton Joyce Station to Fiskerton Station (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
17km. Flat terrain. 4h30–7h30.
Riverside, good paths, and open views. Irregular train times.
Lunch stops in Gunthorpe (3h–5h in): the Unicorn Hotel, the Anchor, or Tom Browns.
End-of-walk rewards: the Wheatsheaf Inn, or the Cross Keys.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
East Midlands Parkway Station Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Lunch stops in Gotham (3h–5h in): the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Long Eaton Station to Ilkeston Station (Derbyshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
16km. Flat terrain. 4h–7h.
Canal, industrial towns, and disused railway viaduct.
Lunch stops in Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30–4h in): Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn. Other lunch stop: La Rock (1h30–2h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Bingham Station Circular via Screveton (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
Easy: 12km, flat terrain. 3h30–5h30.
Village greens and countryside.
Lunch stops: Caffe Velo Verde (1h30–2h30 in), or the Royal Oak (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Butter Cross.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Lowdham Station to Burton Joyce Station (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–7h.
Countryside and river.
Lunch stops in Gunthorpe (3h–4h30 in): the Anchor, or the Unicorn Hotel. Other lunch stops: the World's End (30m in), or the Red Lion (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Wheatsheaf Inn, the Cross Keys, or the Lord Nelson.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Canal, footpaths, and roadside footpath. Last section on busy road.
Lunch stops: the Anchor Inn (1h30–3h in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h30–4h30 in), or the Moorings (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station Circular via Darley Abbey (Derbyshire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Parks, river, and heritage trail.
Highlights: Museum of Making and Darley Park.
Lunch stops in Darley Park (1h–2h in): Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys. Other lunch stops: the Joiners Arms (3h–5h in), or the Orangery Café (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
15m direct from Nottingham.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Spondon Station Circular via Dale Abbey (Derbyshire)
30m direct from Nottingham.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Villages, park grounds, and ornamental lake.
Lunch stops in Dale Abbey (2h–3h30 in): the Carpenters Arms, or the Friar's House.
End-of-walk rewards: the Vernon Arms, the White Swan, the Hoptimist-Spondon, or the Malt Shovel.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Fiskerton Station Circular via Southwell (Nottinghamshire)
30m direct from Nottingham.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
River, lanes, and racecourse.
Lunch stop: Southwell Minster Refectory Café (2h30–4h in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route