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Length: 6.71 km (4.1 miles) - Ascent: 76m (250ft)
Terrain: Sections of pavement, well-made tracks and bridleways, footpath, woodland.
Map: Explorer269
Address: 158 Forest Road, Annesley Woodhouse, NG17 9HW.

I enjoyed this walk on a clear, frosty day, just after the turn of the year. It took me from the Moody Squires Micropub
around a tour of Annesley’s hidden historic past - from church, to hall, to castle.

Starting from the aforementioned pub, I took the nearby path which cuts through the middle of the industrial estate before climbing into Ice House Wood. The winding path eventually led to the eponymous structure, sat hidden in the trees between the A608 and Mour Hotel. Crossing the road, I headed slightly along the road to the semi-hidden ruins of Annesley Old Church. The grounds can be freely accessed, including the ruined interior of the church, and it is a nice place to linger for a while. A plaque recounts the history of the church, which fell into disuse following the consecration of All Saints Church, built closer to the village and completed in 1874.

The trail then turns onto the curiously-named Dog and Bear Lane, past the shell of Annesley Hall, before heading across fields, over the A611 and into Annesley Forest, where a short climb takes you to the earthworks of Annesley Castle. Annesley Castle was a Motte and Bailey structure of unknown age. There is little to see these days, as the land is covered in trees and foliage and appears to be sometimes used for off-road biking. It was quiet during my winter visit, however, with just a hum of passing traffic, which quietened as I continued across the clearing and under the forest canopy. From here, a wide track wound through the forest, sliced by the A611, before continuing towards Annesley village.

Just before Annesley Cutting, I turned off the track and headed to the forest edge and Derby Road before crossing into Little Oak Plantation. Later in the season, bluebells will carpet the wood, making it a fine way to round off the walk, as the path alights close to the starting point and that deserved pint.

The Moody Squires Micro Pub opened in 2017 as Squire Musters, bringing the micropub experience to Annesley. The two-room pub has a welcoming entrance lounge area, complete with a log-burner, which I imagine is lovely when the temperatures drop - I could see myself happily snuggling into one of the chairs with a nice pint and watching the world go by. The bar is in the rear room, with further seating around the edges. Two of the four handpulls were on when I visited, with a choice of Dancing Duck Nice Weather and Blue Monkey Infinity. The pub does a large range of spirits, including Blue Monkey gin, Hawkstone Cider and Lilley’s bag-in-a-box ciders. I chose the Dancing Duck and enjoyed a nice chat with the friendly barman while the pub was quiet. I had timed my walk to arrive at opening time to ensure I could get some ‘customer-free’ photos to update the pub database, but I was told most of the time, Duggie would have plenty of new friends to meet. The pub hosts a walk on the first Sunday of the month, starting at the pub, which may interest readers of this feature.

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Route

From the Moody Squires, head west along Forest Road for approx. 120m before turning south onto the footpath (1). Follow the footpath gently downhill for approx. 700m, crossing Little Oak Drive along the way. Upon reaching Lake View Drive (2), turn left and follow the road for 150m until you reach the second junction (3), then take the footpath uphill into the woods. Follow the meandering path through the wood for approx. 420m before turning sharply left onto another footpath (4). You’ll climb over a fallen tree and pass a rusting metal ‘footpath’ sign before descending gently to the Ice House (5). Go past the stile and cross over the road (there's a central reservation), then turn right and follow the road for approx. 160m to Annesley Old Church (6). Take as long as you like here before retracing your steps back along Mansfield Road, before turning south onto Dog and Bear Lane (7). Follow the track for 200m before turning onto the footpath straight ahead and following it across the fields to Annesley Road (8). Cross the road and turn left then right into the wood, then right again at the immediate junction. Follow the path for approx. 120m before turning left (9) and heading up the slope into the clearing. Take the wide path to your right and follow it to the opposite side of the clearing, then reenter the wood and turn almost immediately right (10). After approx. 100m the path will join a wide track - turn left and follow it north for approx 600m where it will turn right and alight at the A611 (12). Cross over and proceed up the track opposite and stay on this for approx. 730m before turning left onto a smaller footpath (13). Follow the path for 200m, where you will reach the edge of the wood (14). Turn right and follow the path along the edge of the wood/field boundary, turning left at the corner of the field (15). After approx. 300m the path away from the field, eventually alighting at Derby Road (16). Cross the road and proceed into another wood opposite, and follow the path straight ahead for approx. 400m. Carry on past the steel barrier and keep straight ahead for approx. another 480m, where you will arrive at the footpath you were on at the start of the walk (19). Turn right and walk back along the footpath to Forest Road before turning right and arriving back at the Moody Squires.