Fineshade Woods
Top Lodge in Fineshade Woods has several waymarked cycling and walking trails. For cyclists there is a green graded easy route running through the main woodland block. It is a gentle ride perfect for families on largely flat paths. Running alongside the green route are 7 alternative blue grade sections. These are great for mountain bikers looking for more of a challenge.
Walkers can enjoy three colour coded, waymarked trails of varying difficulty.
The Smelters' Walk is an easy trail for abilities. It runs for 2 miles on flat well surfaced paths.
The moderate Dales Wood Trail visits the Wildlife Hide where can you look out for birds on the feeders and deer in the woodland. There is also a short climb to a viewpoint with great views over Rockingham Forest.
For a more challenging walk you can try the Mill Wood Trail which involves a few harder climbs.
Along the way you can look out for lots of wildlife including red kite, nightingale, nightjar, woodcock, grasshopper warbler, tree pipit, marsh and willow tits.
If you would like to continue your walk you can pick up the Jurassic Way which runs through the wider area of the ancient Rockingham Forest. Or head to the nearby Wakerley Woods which is just a couple of miles to the west. Here you'll find pleasant walking trails and a blue grade, single-track mountain bike trail.
Fineshade Woods is located close to Peterborough, Corby, Stamford and Oakham.
Postcode
NN17 3BB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsFineshade Woods Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Fineshade Woods Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Fineshade Woods OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Fineshade Woods Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Grounds cafe is located right in the forest. They do a good range of meals and have seating indoor and out. You can find it at Top Lodge at postcode NN17 3BB.
In the nearby village of King's Cliffe there's the The Cross Keys for some rest and refreshment after your exercise. The pub dates back to 1732 and includes a charming old interior with oak beams and inglenook fireplaces. They serve a fine Sunday roast and also provide rooms if you'd like to stay over. You can find them on West Street at postcode PE8 6XA for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The forest is a great place for a dog walk so you'll probably see plenty of other dogs on your visit. The Grounds Cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Follow the Jurassic Way west and it will take you to the noteworthy Harringworth Welland Viaduct. The Grade II listed viaduct is about a kilometre long, and was completed in 1878. It contains 82 arches and is notable as the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in Britain.
Just to the east you'll find the pretty village of King's Cliffe where you can pick up the Kings Cliffe Railway Walk. The easy trail runs along a now disused railway line to the east of the village. King's Cliffe is also a pleasant place for a stroll with a Norman church, picturesque 17th century almshouses and nice views of the Willow Brook, a tributary of the River Nene. There's also a fine old 18th century pub for refreshments afterwards. Near here there's also Blatherwycke Lake to explore. There's some lovely waterside trails with lots of birdlife to see on the water at this scenic spot.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Track through Fineshade Wood. The wood and the nearby Wakerley Wood are remnants of Rockingham Forest.
Wildlife Hide. Well off the main tracks. There were half a dozen people in here, with telephoto lenses, on the Sunday afternoon
Entrance to Top Lodge, Fineshade Wood
Top Lodge
Cottage within Fineshade Wood
Observation Tower in Westhay Wood
Jurassic Way Westhay Wood
Jurassic Way footpath in Fineshade Wood