Bleasby

Bleasby sits on a broad bend of the River Trent in the Newark and Sherwood district of Nottinghamshire, a few miles south-east of the market town of Southwell. The parish takes in the village itself along with the smaller hamlets of Gibsmere, Goverton and Notown, and its name has Danish roots stretching back to a Saxon charter of 956, when it was recorded as 'Blisetune'. That deep history is typical of the Trent-side villages here, whose '-by' and '-ton' endings betray centuries of Saxon and Viking settlement along what was once the great trading highway of the Midlands.

What makes Bleasby distinctive today is how unhurried it still feels. The village is strung along quiet lanes between the river and the low ridge that carries the Nottingham to Lincoln railway line, with Bleasby's own station giving it a direct rail link that few villages of its size retain. Fields of arable farmland and orchards roll away towards the Trent Valley, and the riverside itself, once the site of the historic Hazelford Ferry crossing, is now a peaceful stretch for walking, fishing and simply watching the water go by. It is the kind of place that rewards slowing down: a proper village pub, a medieval parish church, and easy access to the wider delights of Sherwood Forest country and the cathedral city of Southwell just up the road.

Top things to do in Bleasby

Bleasby is small, but its riverside setting and position between Southwell and the Trent Valley open up plenty of good days out.

• Hazelford Ferry and the River Trent — the site of Bleasby's historic ferry crossing, in use until Gunthorpe Bridge opened in 1875, is now a favourite spot for riverside walks, picnics and coarse fishing along the Trent.
• St Mary's Church — a parish church built mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries, later restored by the Victorians, standing next to the village war memorial in the heart of Bleasby.
• Southwell Minster — around three miles away, this former minster church turned Anglican cathedral is celebrated for its Norman nave and the intricately carved medieval chapter house, known as the 'Leaves of Southwell'.
• The Workhouse, Southwell — a National Trust property and one of the best-preserved 19th-century workhouses in England, offering an evocative and sometimes sobering look at Victorian poverty and the poor law system.
• Southwell Racecourse — a popular all-weather and jump racing venue just outside Southwell, hosting race meetings throughout the year in an attractive rural setting.
• Trent Valley Way — long-distance riverside footpaths link Bleasby to neighbouring villages such as Hoveringham and Gunthorpe, making for an easy circular walk taking in ferry crossings, gravel pits and Trent-side meadows.
• Sherwood Forest and Nottingham — Bleasby's railway station puts the legendary Sherwood Forest country and the city of Nottingham within comfortable reach for a day trip without needing the car.

Getting to Bleasby

Bleasby has its own railway station, a little over half a mile from the village, on the line between Nottingham and Newark Castle (and on through to Lincoln), making it one of the more unusually well-connected small villages in the county for those travelling without a car. By road, Bleasby lies just off the A612 between Nottingham and Southwell, roughly 20 minutes from Nottingham city centre and around 10 minutes from Southwell itself. The A46 and A1 are within easy reach for visitors travelling from further afield, and East Midlands Airport is under an hour's drive away.

Best time to visit Bleasby

Spring and summer bring the Trent Valley to life, with the riverside paths at their greenest and long evenings ideal for a walk down to Hazelford Ferry or a drink in a village pub garden. Early autumn is a lovely time for the surrounding farmland and orchards, with harvest well under way and the Trent often at its most photogenic in low golden light. Winter has its own appeal for those keen on racing, with jump meetings at Southwell Racecourse and cosy log fires in the local pubs, though riverside paths can be muddy after heavy rain, so sturdy footwear is a must.

Where to stay in Bleasby

Accommodation in Bleasby itself is limited to a handful of characterful bed and breakfasts and self-catering cottages, in keeping with the village's small size, so many visitors base themselves in nearby Southwell, which offers a wider choice of guest houses and hotels within a few miles. For a closer-to-nature stay, the Trent Valley around Bleasby has a scattering of small caravan and camping parks that make the most of the riverside setting, ideal for a quieter alternative to a hotel stay.

Food and drink in Bleasby

The Waggon and Horses is Bleasby's village pub, a traditional local with wooden floors, open fires and a relaxed atmosphere, serving pub food from Thursday to Sunday evenings and wood-fired pizzas cooked to order on Fridays and Saturdays. For a wider choice, Southwell has a good range of cafes, tearooms and restaurants around its historic Minster and market square, while nearby Gunthorpe is known for its riverside pubs looking out over the Trent.