20 Attractions to Explore Near Idle Valley Nature Reserve (Notts Wildlife Trust)

The Bassetlaw Museum is a museum in Retford, Nottinghamshire which documents the history of North Nottinghamshire from the earliest times to the present day. It is situated on Grove Street, Retford.Over the last twenty years its collections have quickly grown due to generous donations by local people. The collections include local history, archaeology, decorative and fine art, agriculture, costume and textiles.

Daneshill Lakes is an area of restored and flooded gravel pits that now provides a home to a diverse range of wildlife. The gravel pits themselves have been flooded to create an open water habitat surrounded by willow woodland. There's wetlands, woodland, grassland, flowering plants and lots of wildlife to look out for on the site. Look out for grebes, swans, willow warbler, whitethroat, and blackcap on your walk.

Mattersey Priory is a ruined medieval Gilbertine monastery situated on the River Idle in peaceful Nottinghamshire countryside.This is one of the few priories belonging to the order of St Gilbert of Sempringham based in Lincolnshire. Now all that remains are a few ruins in a field. All that is left of the cloisters and kitchens are the foundations in the grass.

The National Trust's Clumber Park is a historic country park located near Worksop, Nottinghamshire. This wide expanse of parkland, farmland and woods covers over 3800-acres and was once the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle. There are over 120 different types of tree at this wonderful National Trust property, offering year-round colour and including the memorable avenue of limes, 2 miles (3km) long, which forms the main approach.

Mr Straw's House is a National Trust place located in Nottinghamshire, and the preserved 1920s period home of a grocer's family. The house displays an eclectic mix of period costumes, memorabilia, and household items. Walking through the door of Number 7 Blythe Grove is like entering a time capsule, a place where nothing has changed in over 70 years.

Worksop Priory is a Church of England parish church and former priory in the town of Worksop, Nottinghamshire. It was originally known as Radford Priory. It was founded in c1120 by William de Lovetot. It was for Augustinian monks. Before it was closed by Henry VIII there was a prior and 18 canons, making it a large priory. On its dissolution in June 1538 the priory estates passed to the Earl of Shrewsbury.

Sundown Adventureland is a children's theme park in Rampton, Nottinghamshire, UK. This theme park especially designed for the under 10s has everything needed to make them feel over six feet tall! There are plenty of exciting rides to choose from, such as Rocky Mountain Ride and River Barrel Ride to name a few. Next stop would be Toy Town, or perhaps pop on the eye patch for the Pirate Adventure, docking in Smugglers Cove.

Thoresby Hall is a grade I listed 19th-century country house in Budby, Nottinghamshire, some 2 miles (4 km) north of Ollerton. It is one of four neighbouring country houses and estates in the Dukeries in north Nottinghamshire all occupied by dukes at one time during their history. The hall is constructed of rock-faced ashlar with ashlar dressings. It is built in four storeys with a square floor plan surrounding a central courtyard, nine bays wide and eight bays deep.

Gainsborough Old Hall is among the biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses in England. It is part timber-framed but mostly brick-built. It is a splendid monument to one man’s ambitions and accomplishment, across one of the most turbulent periods of English history. Pay a visit to learn about the families that have lived in and managed the old hall through the centuries and to find out how the house has been involved in British history.

Welbeck Abbey has been home to the Dukes of Portland and their families since 1607. Welbeck is one of the great traditional landed estates. It extends to 15,000 acres, much of which sits within Sherwood Forest, with Welbeck Abbey at its heart. The Abbey was founded as a monastery in 1153. Bess of Hardwick’s youngest son, Sir Charles Cavendish, acquired Welbeck in 1607, and since then the estate has continued to be handed down through the family.

Dunham Bridge is a toll bridge across the River Trent in England. It spans the border between the administrative counties of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire to the west and east respectively. One of the engineering marvels in this area and this bridge makes the transportation easy for peoples.

Roche Abbey was once home to 50 monks and 100 lay brothers. Unlike other Cistercian monastries in Yorkshire, such as Rievaulx or Byland Abbey, Roche was modest in size which was more typical of the order. Beautifully set in a valley landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18th Century, Roche Abbey has one of the most complete ground plans of any English Cistercian monastery, laid out as excavated foundations.

Sherwood Forest is a royal forest in Nottinghamshire, England, famous by its historic association with the legend of Robin Hood.The area has been wooded since the end of the Last Glacial Period. Today, Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve encompasses 423.2 hectares , surrounding the village of Edwinstowe, the site of Thoresby Hall. The forest gives its name to the Sherwood Parliamentary constituency.

Fledborough Viaduct is a former railway viaduct near Fledborough, Nottinghamshire which is now part of the national cycle network. Fledborough Viaduct is situated in Fledborough Holme, close to St George the Martyr's Church, North & South Clifton. Today the railway trackbed eastwards from the site of Fledborough station, across the viaduct, through Clifton to Doddington & Harby forms an off-road part of National Cycle Route 647 which is part of the National Cycle Network.

This majestic church was an ancient Parish and Civic Church of Nottingham. The present building, over 500 years old, is believed to be at least the third church on the site. It is an iconic example of Nottingham’s prosperity during the 15th century. Its magnificent architecture - massive tower, slender columns, huge windows and alabaster monuments. is an iconic example of Nottingham’s prosperity during the 15th century. Its magnificent architecture - massive tower, slender columns, huge windows

The Sherwood Forest Trust is the only charity whose work is solely focussed on the protection, preservation and promotion of Sherwood Forest. Its project is focussed on the restoration of lowland heathlands, the creation of a new afforestation toolkit, planting new trees and creating woodlands and increased community engagement with nature.

Creswell Crags is a spectacular magnesian limestone gorge with a honeycomb of caves that were occupied during the last Ice Age on the border between Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire. The caves provided shelter for nomadic humans between 55,000 and 10,000 years ago, and stone tools, worked bone items and the remains of animals found there give some evidence about the lives of our ancestors.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is the UK's No.1 Walk-through Wildlife Park Adventure. It was built on a former riding school, which closed to the public in November 2008. There are a lot of animals living in the natural habitat and also so many things are there to see inside this zoo.

Rufford Abbey consists of the partial remains of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, incorporated into a 17th-century mansion. Incorporated into part of a 17th century and later mansion, set in Rufford Country Park.Owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and managed by Parkwood Outdoors in co-operation with English Heritage.

King John's Palace is the remains of a former medieval royal residence in Clipstone, north-west Nottinghamshire. The name "King John's Palace" has been used since the 18th century; prior to that the site was known as the "King's Houses". It is not known how or when the building became associated with King John as he only spent a total of nine days here.