Sutton Bonington

If you take historic architecture and paths through woodland into account when choosing a destination, Sutton Bonington offers two specific themes: the old village with its churches and older houses, and the two woodland areas of Diamond Wood, connected by public footpaths through the village. You can get to know the place through its architectural history or plan a walk along the route connecting the woodland areas. Check local path conditions before setting out for a walk.

Village layout and architectural history

Sutton Bonington Conservation Area was designated in 1968 and was the first Conservation Area in the Rushcliffe District. It has a linear layout: historic buildings lie among fields, open spaces, gardens, trees and hedgerows. Both the buildings and the open landscape features are therefore part of the area’s character. The old village offers another trace of its history: it contains two 17th-century timber-framed houses, as well as numerous houses and outbuildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. These details give you a sense of the village’s history across several centuries without reducing its character to a single building period.

Two churches, different details

St Michael’s Church is a Grade II* listed parish church with fabric dating from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Its features include a 135-foot spire, a clock and six bells. The church interior also contains a 13th-century south arcade with round piers and moulded capitals, as well as an octagonal 14th-century stone font with quatrefoil panels. Capitals form the upper part of a pier; a quatrefoil is an ornament with four lobed shapes. These terms can help you understand the architectural details described.

St Anne’s Church has different features: its chancel contains a medieval alabaster effigy, and its north aisle dates from the transitional phase of Norman architecture. This church is also Grade II* listed. This gives you a clear comparison based on your interests: at St Michael’s, the tower, arcade and font are among the features to look out for; at St Anne’s, it is the effigy and the architectural classification of the aisle.

Diamond Wood and paths through the village

Diamond Wood was created in late 2012, when farmland was converted into native woodland habitats. The two woodland areas are connected by public footpaths that run through Sutton Bonington. Diamond Wood is open to everyone, and you can explore a variety of tree, plant and insect species there. If you plan to include the paths in your itinerary, check local conditions beforehand. The woodland therefore offers both a specific route for a walk and an insight into the conversion of the land and the diversity of its species.

Campus and arboretum

Sutton Bonington Campus may also be of interest when planning your trip. The university invites you to explore the campus at a time that suits you. The campus includes an arboretum with an unusual collection of native and exotic trees. The self-guided tour of the campus is estimated to take about 30 minutes. Access restrictions apply to this tour, so check the information before your visit. This lets you plan how much time to allow for the campus visit while taking the applicable access requirements into account.

Discover more destinations: Willoughby On The Wolds, Ollerton, Underwood, Newark-On-Trent, Tuxford, Calverton, Winthorpe, Southwell

For the regional travel overview: Nottinghamshire.