WALK WITH AN EXPERT

19 MAY 2024, 10am
Birdsong Walk, from Attenborough Nature Reserve car park

This Springtime walk takes us around our remarkable Attenborough Nature Reserve.
Learn from Mike Spencer (Notts Wildlife Trust) about the reserve and look and listen out for birds, some of whom have spent the winter months in Sub-Saharan Africa. They’ll be singing at the tops of their voices to attract a mate – welcoming the warmth of summer and new life across the reserve.

23 June 2024, 2pm
Blue Plaques II, from Beeston Square Bandstand

A new circular walk around the east side of Beeston exploring more of Beeston’s Illustrious predecessors, led by some of the team who helped our Blue Plaques exist: Peter Robinson and Alan Dance. Lasting about two hours it will take in: The Ten Bell, on the way to Broadgate Park and Sir Louis Frederick Pearson, before moving on to pioneering weather researcher, astronomer and botanist Edward Joseph Lowe, the engineer Thomas Humber, the innovative chemist and explosives expert Colonel Brian Duncan Shaw, Beeston Station, actor and entertainer William Wallett. We should end with the Rev John Clifford at Church House Nursery.

14 July 2024, 2pm
Back to the Ghost House, from Eskdale Drive Tram Stop

Starting and finishing at the Eskdale tram stop, this short walk (about a mile) will be along the roads and paths around the area where Chilwell’s “Ghost House” once stood. Reputedly haunted, it is also believed to have been the scene of a murder when a pedlar, who regularly visited the area, went missing after spending the night at the house and was never seen again. 

The walk is guided by Alan Dance who researched and wrote a book about the tales, and follows some of the steps possibly taken by the pedlar on his fateful journey, almost 200 years ago. Other points of local history will also be highlighted en-route.

17 August 2024, 2pm
Attenborough Legacy, from The Strand (the end near cricket nets)

Mammoths, Civil War, and explosions – and yet it seems such a quiet village. 

In a gentle stroll find out more about the village’s archaeology, its prehistoric settlement, its Anglo-Saxon and Norman roots, its links with the rulers of England, its economic history from farming to mineral extraction, the ‘explosion’, the heritage in the conversation area and the history of the station. 

The walk is led by Attenborough resident (and our Treasurer) Gary Smerdon-White, and starts at the corner of The Strand at the old entrance into the nature reserve and finishes at the new mural at Attenborough Station. 

If you’ve got your own stories about the village you’ll be asked to share them – there’s a lot to find out about!

Please note: This walk occurs on a Saturday.

8 September 2024, 2pm
Town and Place, from Beeston Square bandstand

Long-term residents, new to our area or simply visiting? You’ll find out more about Beeston by joining this new look at our old buildings, history and features that add to the rich character of our area.

This circular walk is led by longstanding Civic Society member and volunteer Guide, Professor John Beckett. It starts and finishing at the Bandstand and is suitable for all.

This walk is part of our Heritage Open Days events programme.

15 September 2024, 2pm
Cottage Grove Estate, from the junction of Park Road / High Road Chilwell

The Cottage Grove Conservation area dates from 1848 when it was laid out as a Freehold Land Estate. It was subsequently built up around the four streets (originally West Gate and East Gate, North and South Gate, and the first building was the Hop Poll. 

The walk, again led by Professor John Beckett, will be a general stroll around the area with an explanation of the layout of the area and some of the houses.

Please Note: This walk can be linked with a lecture to the Beeston and District Local History Society on
18 September at 7.30pm in Chilwell Memorial Hall 

This walk is part of our Heritage Open Days events programme, in cahoots with Beeston and District Local History Society.

NEW!
13 October 2024, 2pm
Trees – who lives here? from Beeston Square bandstand

This entirely new walk, led by local tree expert Helene Laanest (canopy2050.org.uk) will examine local tree species, and what lives in, on and near to them.

Starting in Beeston Square the route takes us to St Peter’s churchyard, then to a little park, The Willows, on Dovecote Lane and finally down to the Hetley Pearson recreation ground. A treat for any Beestonian treehugger.