Ilkeston Walk
A walk from the Derbyshire town of Ilkeston visiting the nearby Shipley Country Park.
The walk starts near the town centre where you can pick up the Centenary Way. Follow the waymarked trail west and it will link with the Nutbrook Trail. This shared cycling and walking trail runs along a dismantled railway line between Long Eaton to Heanor.
Follow the path north and it will take you along the brook to Shipley Park. Here you'll find 700 acres of parkland with lakes a visitor centre, play areas, and a wildlife garden.
After exploring the park the route then returns to Ilkeston on similar paths.
Ilkeston Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ilkeston Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ilkeston OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ilkeston Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Ilkeston
- Shipley Country Park - This large country park near Ilkeston boasts 700 acres of attractive and varied landscape
- Mapperley Reservoir - Enjoy a short walk around this pretty reservoir in Shipley Country Park, near Ilkeston
- Nutbrook Trail - This easy cycling and walking trail runs from Long Eaton to Heanor along the Erewash Canal and a dismantled railway line
- Centenary Way - Follow the Centenary Way from Ilkeston to Ashbourne on this 25 mile walk through the Derbyshire countryside
- Erewash Canal - Follow the Erewash canal through south Derbyshire on this waterside cycling and walking route
- Bennerley Viaduct - This circular walk visit the Bennerley Viaduct, a now disused railway viaduct spanning the Erewash Valley between Awsworth and Ilkeston
- Cossall - This walk from the village of Cossall takes you to the Nottingham Canal Nature Reserve
- Nottingham Canal - Enjoy a walk or cycle along this pretty canal in Nottingham
- Dale Abbey - This Derbyshire village includes the historic ruins of a 12th century abbey and some fine Peak District countryside
- Locko Park - This circular walk visits the Locko Park Estate in Derbyshire
Pubs/Cafes
The Durham Ox is the oldest Inn in Ilkeston and dates back to 1780. They serve good quality dishes and can be found at postcode DE7 8FQ. The inn is dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
At Shipley Park you'll come very close to Mapperley Reservoir which is worth a small detour from the route if you have time.
The Erewash Canal also runs through the area. You can pick up the towpath and enjoy an easy walk or cycle along this pretty waterway. Here you can visit the impressive Bennerley Viaduct.
Just to the east of the town you'll find the Nottingham Canal Nature Reserve at Cossall. There's a nice trail here with lots of water loving wildlife to see.
Just to the south west you'll find Dale Abbey where you can visit the ruins of the historic 12th century abbey. The 18th century Locko Park is also located in this area.
Photos
Factory Building, Ilkeston
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Osborne's Pond, Shipley Park. Originally a feeder reservoir to the Nutbrook Canal which served the Shipley Hall collieries. Now part of Shipley Country Park.
Japanese maple, Shipley Country Park. A beautiful little maple providing a splash of colour amongst the oaks, beeches and sycamores on Shipley Hill.
Chaucer Old Park, Ilkeston. The Council insist on calling the area Chaucer Old Park but local people still call it 'Illy 'Oleys which is the name derived from the hills and holes created by mineral extraction many years ago.
Erewash Canal at Ilkeston
The Durham Ox
Gateway to Victoria Park
Manner (or Manor) Floods is the traditional name given to a series of ponds to the west of Ilkeston - originally dug to absorb water pumped out of mine workings.