Please keep dogs on leads 🐑🐍 / Fire Risk: High 🔥

Rushcliffe and Bunny Moor

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 7.20 miles

Discover a delightful and easy flat walk perfect for all abilities, including families and those with older dogs, starting from Rushcliffe Country Park in Nottinghamshire. This circular route, free of stiles and featuring only well-maintained gates, is ideal for anyone looking to avoid hill climbing.

The adventure begins and ends conveniently near the Asher Lane crossing of the Great Central Railway. From the spacious Rushcliffe Country Park car park, you'll wander through the park's scenic paths before venturing onto charming footpaths. The trail leads you to the picturesque village of Bradmore, known for its quaint charm. Continuing onwards, you'll follow well-trodden footpaths across open fields, arriving at the welcoming village of Bunny. With a short deviation from your route, you'll find a welcoming pub serving excellent food, perfect for a mid-walk refuel!

This walk is a true dog-friendly haven! With ample space and mostly off-lead opportunities (where safe and controlled), your canine companions will love exploring the open countryside. Remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles and enjoy the beautiful Nottinghamshire landscape responsibly.

Further Information

A Glimpse into the Past: Rushcliffe Country Park, Bradmore, and Bunny

Nottinghamshire is rich in history, and the areas surrounding Rushcliffe Country Park, Bradmore, and Bunny offer fascinating glimpses into the past, from wartime industry to charming village life.

From Munitions to Meadows: The Story of Rushcliffe Country Park

Today, Rushcliffe Country Park is a popular green space, enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers alike. However, its tranquil meadows and winding paths belie a far more industrious past. Before becoming the welcoming park we know, this extensive site was a highly significant Ministry of Defence bomb factory and ammunition depot, known as Ruddington Depot. Acquired in 1938, its strategic location near a railway, a workforce, and a water source made it ideal for wartime production. After the war, the site served as a major auction ground for redundant military vehicles and equipment, drawing dealers from across the country. It wasn't until 1989 that work began to transform this industrial landscape into the beautiful country park, which officially opened in 1993, showcasing a remarkable example of environmental reclamation and conservation.

Bradmore: A Village Forged by Fire and Farming

The picturesque village of Bradmore boasts a history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, it was primarily a farming community, with a self-sufficient local economy supported by various trades. A pivotal moment in Bradmore's history occurred in 1705 when a devastating fire swept through the village, destroying many dwellings and the church, leaving only its distinctive tower and spire standing. Despite this calamity, the resilient community rebuilt, and elements of its past, including old farmhouses and the surviving church tower, continue to give the village its unique character. It later became a place of residence for those working in nearby Nottingham, transitioning from a purely agricultural hub.

Bunny: Of Noble Families and Wrestling Baronets

The village of Bunny, with its distinctive name (thought to derive from an Old English term for a "reed island"), also has ancient origins, recorded in the Domesday Book. Its history is closely intertwined with powerful families, most notably the Parkyns family, who resided at the impressive Bunny Hall for over three centuries. One of the most colourful figures associated with Bunny was Sir Thomas Parkyns (1663-1745), known as the "Wrestling Baronet." An eccentric and public-spirited gentleman, Sir Thomas was renowned for his passion for wrestling, even commissioning a monument in Bunny Church depicting him as a wrestler. He also played a significant role in rebuilding parts of the village around 1700, leaving a lasting architectural legacy. The parish Church of St Mary, dating back to the 14th century, stands as another testament to Bunny's long and rich past.