NCN 6 Leicester to Nottingham
NCN 6, The Cloud Trail, 21km of traffic-free riding from Derby
NCN 6 Stage 4.
156km
Leicester to Nottingham
This is a wonderfully straightforward and just about entirely traffic-free route through the pastoral countryside of the East Midlands connecting three fascinating cities, Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, with plenty of diversions along the way. You cycle over some of the oldest rocks in the UK, and pass a Saxon church with some of the best preserved Saxon sculptures. Quorn is the home to one of the most famous hunts in the country - although they no longer chase after foxes, they still ride to hounds. Along the way is 21km of entirely traffic-free path, and Derby, with its industrial heart, now being made into a pleasant pedestrian city centre. In all there is much to enjoy, not least the vibrant city of Nottingham with its caves, castle, canals and fabulous places to eat, drink and party.
Ride details
Distance: 90km
Start: Leicester Cathedral.
Finish: Nottingham Lace Quarter.
Nearest Mainline station: Leicester
Nearest Mainline to the finish: Nottingham
Time needed: 1 day. (riding time approx. 5 hours)
Difficulty: Easy and flat.
Traffic and Surfaces: Shared paths, quiet country lanes, and the Cloud Trail to Derby, an excellent, well surfaced cycleway.
Cycle Paths: NCN 6.
Recommended café stops; Nottingham; Mountsorrel; Box Kitchen, Nottingham; The MemSaab, 12-14 Maid Marian Way. (The MemSaab has regularly been voted one of the best Indian restaurants in the country.) Bill’s, 15 Queen Str. Serves fabulous breakfasts.
What to see: (£) Leicester: National Space Centre, Cathedral, King Richard III visitor centre, Derby; Cathedral, Museum of Making, Nottingham; Castle, Cathedral, Lace Quarter, Museum of Justice, City of Caves.
Ride notes
A Grind through Loughborough
From Leicester, the next 25km through to the north of Loughborough is far from pretty. The signage north of Leicester has been removed by Sustrans, as the road is quite busy with no cycle lane. South of Loughborough you pick up the NCN 6 signs and ride on an excellent and protected cycle lane passing the University. The route runs beside on a separate dedicated bike path alongside the old A6. The next few kilometres are the least pleasant of the whole route to Carlisle.
Quorn High Street
The Cloud Trail
Once out of Loughborough, the way to Derby is along another railway track, named the Cloud Trail. It is well-surfaced, flat and easy riding through pleasant countryside. There are intermittent views across fields to the hills of Charnwood Forest, but the most arresting stop is at the massively deep Cloud Hill Quarry, belonging to the largest independent aggregate firm in the land. The aggregates are used for roads and construction projects all over southern England. Ahead, on top of a hill - and 1km off the route - is the Saxon church of Breedon-on-the-hill. It is well worth a deviation as there are some of the best Saxon carvings in the whole of the British Isles. If you fancy a longer stop, nearby is Calke Abbey (NT), a magnificent un-stately home, and is probably the best example of a grand house in decline. The National Trust has preserved the House exactly as it was when it was left to them.
Derby to Nottingham
At Alvaston, there is a choice; turn west into Derby’s city centre along an extension to route 6, or turn eastwards on the official route 6 to Nottingham. Derby has its fair share of industrial museums, a cathedral and a pedestrianised centre. The route to Nottingham along the Derwent valley is entirely flat and traffic-free using the old Derby and Sandiacre canal path and quiet, well-signed roads. It’s lovely valley riding.
NCN 6 Derwent Valley.
Nottingham
The signed route avoids Nottingham’s city centre. However, the city is not a place to be missed, so continue along the river Derwent cycle path into the heart of the city.
Nottingham, with its associations with Robin Hood, its castle and caves, (the city has the UK’s largest network of caves with over 800 beneath the city streets), its lace-making history, mixed with its vibrant city centre is too good to rush. It is, along with Manchester and London, the most exciting city to visit along the whole route. There’s a great range of accommodation and the restaurants, pubs and cafes are some of the best on route.
Lace Quarter, Nottingham
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