For 2025, Mansfield and Ashfield offer an exceptional variety of landscapes, from the historic ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest to the tranquil wetlands of Brierley Forest Park.
Whether you are looking to work off the turkey with a challenging hike or seeking a gentle, pushchair-friendly stroll for the whole family, our local trails are ready for you.
With most parks, including Sherwood Pines, reopening their gates from 8am on December 26th, you can enjoy a peaceful morning amidst nature before the holiday festivities continue.
Below is your 2025 guide to the top-rated routes and hidden gems across Mansfield and Ashfield.
5. Sherwood Forest
The forest and its trails are open every day of the year except Christmas Day, meaning you can enjoy its ancient oaks on Boxing Day. The Major Oak Trail: The essential experience, this 1.5-mile (45 mins) easy walk takes you to the famous, thousand-year-old Major Oak tree. The Greenwood Trail: A moderate 2-mile (1 hour 15 mins) circular route designed to showcase the seasonal changes of the forest. The Wildwood Trail: The longest of the main trails, this 4-mile route is ideal for adventurers and nature enthusiasts, guiding you through diverse landscapes like heathland and wood pasture. Photo: Google Maps
6. Haywood Oaks
Haywood Oaks is a tranquil, mature woodland south of Mansfield near Blidworth, perfect for those seeking a quieter alternative to the busier Sherwood Forest on Boxing Day 2025. Haywood Oaks & Blidworth Woods Circular (4.5 miles): This moderate walk takes approximately 2 hours. It follows wide, firm tracks that are generally fine in all conditions. The "Extended" Circular (9.4 miles): For those looking to "walk off the turkey," this route connects Haywood Oaks with Boundary Wood and Rainworth. It takes roughly 4–4.5 hours. Photo: Google Maps
7. Portland Park Country Park
Portland Park Country Park is a Green Flag award-winning local nature reserve in Kirkby in Ashfield, well-known for its abundant wildlife, historic woodland, and accessible paths. Terrain: While main paths are accessible, some areas in the woodland can be steep. Photo: Google Maps
8. Public Bridleway Black Scotch Lane
The Public Bridleway on Black Scotch Lane in Mansfield is a permanently accessible public right of way, open 24 hours a day, for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. It is a relatively quiet route, offering peaceful woodland walks. Terrain: The path is largely an earth or sand surface through a forestry plantation. While it is classified as a bridleway and suitable for multi-user access (walkers, horses, bikes), it can be an unpaved, potentially uneven surface, which means appropriate footwear is recommended, especially in wet weather. Photo: Google Maps