Conkers Circuit
The visitor centre in Conkers stands at the heart of the National Forest, on the Leicestershire and Derbyshire border. Showing what can happen when the restoration of local landscapes are used to transform a historic mining and quarrying economy into an environment fit to face the facts of the 21st Century.
Nearby walking and cycling routes had slowly been evolving until 2008, when the National Forest Charitable Foundation resolved to extend these in a great loop to Albert Village, Church Gresley and Swadlincote.
The project was designed to encourage local people and visitors alike to travel more actively in their local, natural surroundings. However, until recently there hasn't been sufficient funding to complete the entire circuit. So far, 7.7km of Conkers Circuit is already open, providing largely traffic-free trails through mature woodland and recent plantations, around a lake and past the front doors of houses old and new.
Now, this Sustrans' Connect2 project, will build the final half kilometre linking Albert Village and Conkers. Work will include widening the existing roadside pathway for walkers, cyclists as well as people on horses. Besides completing a fine amenity for informal recreation and exercise, the new path will enable cyclists commuting between Swadlincote and Moira to avoid the heavy traffic on the busy B5004 main road.
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