River Leen Fishing Pond, Nottinghamshire, England

Somewhere between Hollinwell Golf Course and Newstead & Annesley Country Park is a beautiful fishing pond on the River Leen. I say ‘somewhere’ because I have no idea how to get to it again…

My mum used to walk all over the area and took me to the pond in August 2013. Going downhill from Newstead & Annesley Country Park, where the wind turbine now is, we passed some less impressive but still pretty small ponds.

Trees reflected in a pond under a cloudy sky.

We then scrambled under branches to a field, where we walked along the edge towards the distant woods. The woods were pretty and refreshingly cool in that August heat.

A cloudy blue sky over a barley field with a pylon in the background.

Once we reached the woods, it wasn’t long until the branches parted to reveal the blue sky and trees reflected in the perfectly-still pond. There are a lot of lovely views in Nottinghamshire, but this might have been my favourite.

Trees and blue sky reflected in a fishing pond on the River Leen.

Trees and blue sky reflected in a fishing pond near Newstead and Annesley Country Park.

There were footprints in the woods and trails quite clearly stamped by many passing feet at points, but the only other person we saw was a fisherman on the opposite side of the pond.

A fisherman, trees and blue sky reflected in a fishing pond on the River Leen in Nottinghamshire.

It wasn’t totally silent, though. There were a few game chickens about in the woods.

Ferns along a woodland path in Nottinghamshire.

The gate to a game chicken coop filled with ferns.

It was possible to walk most of the way around the pond to see the stunning reflections from all angles.

Trees and blue sky reflected in a fishing pond on the River Leen in Nottinghamshire.

We then walked uphill from the pond into the fields and woods beyond, which also offered some lovely views (and shade). It’s a good thing my mum knew the way back, because I had no idea where we were!

A blue sky over tractor tracks in a barley field.

A view over a barley field to trees and more fields.

Tracks through a green field with trees in the background.

Trees climbing a hill in a shaded part of the woods.

My failed attempt to find the pond again

Seven years later, I was taking photos for my ex from California who rarely saw snow. I remembered the pond and thought ‘hey, I wonder what it’d look like in the snow?’ I’m sure it’s lovely. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t know, because this walk didn’t exactly go to plan…

It was getting late, but I was sure there was enough daylight left. I turned the right way from the park, passed the nice-but-not-incredible ponds and climbed under the branches to the field. There were other footprints. This seemed hopeful so far, although the footprints creeped me out just a bit, because I hadn’t told anyone I was going this way and had no signal.

Snowy trees reflected in the brown water of a small pond.

Footprints on a snowy path through trees in Newstead and Annesley Country Park.

I walked along the edge of the field to the woods, which I think is where I went wrong. Whichever path it was that I took through the woods, I ended up in a place more like a swamp than a nice fishing pond…

A drain cover in brown water lined by trees.

Although I had no signal, I could still use GPS and the pond looked so close, so I kept going. I had to get there at some point, right? …And I just ended up wading further into the swamp. The ground got boggier with every step. If you’ve ever walked in this area, you’ll know the mud out here is sticky. It was like glue. Forget the pond… I had to actually get out without losing my boots! They were very tightly laced up, but the mud almost sucked them off more than once.

There wasn’t enough light to take photos without a tripod by then, but I still had to document this ridiculous situation I got myself into. My flash illuminated some creepy mist rising from the swamp. I’m glad I’m not convinced this area is haunted. In case you’re wondering what was going on in my brain (I doubt it, but I’ll tell you anyway), Sugar Youth by Green Day was firmly stuck in my head and blaring on repeat like Billie Joe was actually Shrek, bellowing ‘I DON’T WANNA BE A ROMEO!’ from his swamp.

I stumbled from tree to tree, grabbing whatever branch or trunk I could to haul myself out of the quagmire. Seriously, I needed them! I almost faceplanted as many times as I nearly lost my boots. I never found the pond, but I sure was relieved to re-emerge onto that field, albeit slightly nervous about potentially bumping into someone because I was covered in mud and probably looked like Shrek myself. Fortunately, I wasn’t driving, or my car would’ve looked like Shrek’s bath.

Despite my relief to have escaped (with footwear), I was annoyed I hadn’t found the pond, especially because my mum said I was close… and I wonder what it does look like in the snow? I’ll have to convince her to take me back if I want to know.

How to get there

Unfortunately, since I can’t find the pond again myself, I can’t give decent directions. However, if you’re feeling intrepid enough to attempt it based on this post, you’ll want to start at Newstead and Annesley Country Park. So…

Address: Newstead and Annesley Country Park, Newstead Village, Nottingham, NG15 0BS

By car: There’s quite a big car park for the country park and as of 2023, parking is free.
By train: The park is just a few minutes from Newstead Station. Take the EMR train for Worksop or Mansfield Woodhouse to Newstead (make sure your train actually stops there, because the ‘fast train’ doesn’t).
By bus: Take the Trent Barton 3A bus to Newstead Triangle and walk down Tilford Road to the railway crossing. The park is just past it.

Passing the park’s third lake, turn down the hill, towards the wind turbine. You’ll pass the small ponds and scramble under branches until you’re walking along a field, towards the woods. There should be traces of a trail or footprints to follow. That’s as far as I can get you, and it’s where I ended up in the swamp, I’m afraid, but my mum did say I was going in the right direction. My best advice would be to locate the pond on Google Maps (53°05’06.2″N 1°12’51.4″W… I think) and try to make your way from there using GPS, avoiding that line of water that must be The Swamp™. You may be able to get there from Newstead Abbey or Hollinwell Golf Course, but I’m not sure if us regular peasants are allowed on the golf course, if it’s possible at all.

How long to spend at the pond

It’s well worth spending 30-45 minutes wandering around and enjoying the scenery. It may take you an hour to walk to the pond from the car park (and vice versa), especially if you’re not sure where you’re going.

Facilities

There are no facilities here, at the country park or at Newstead Station. The last bench is on the way up to the park’s first lake. There is a micropub opposite the car park if you want a drink after your walk, but I’m not sure if it has toilets.

When to visit

I’d recommend summer because the pond is surrounded by beautiful greenery then. You’re also less likely to get sucked into the bog. Bring shoes you don’t mind getting muddy whenever you visit.

If you find the pond, please do let me know! And if you’ve got any questions about the area in general, feel free to comment.