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Blidworth heritage trail signage located outside the village library links to Robin Hood's Blidworth and the Colliery Village trails.

Feature - Paul Fillingham, July 2025

Researched and brought to life by local historian David Amos and myself. I grew up in this pit village in the 1960s and 70s - with its busy streets and green spaces. These digital trails designed for mobile devices promise to reconnect residents and visitors with the fascinating, multi-layered story of our remarkable village. As a producer with years of experience developing digital stories for Nottinghamshire but especially as a miner's son from the village, it's been a personal mission to give something back to the community.

I hope that my childhood memories of the changing streets and the surrounding fields and woodland lend an air of authenticity to every step of these routes. The support of mining historian David Amos, members of Blidworth Parish Council and the work of Jayne Williams from Blidworth and District Historical and Heritage Society has helped bring these trails to life.

The mission was clear - to make history accessible, personal, and memorable for today and for future generations.

Robin Hood's Blidworth - walking through folklore

Ezekial Bone, Nottinghamshire's Robin Hood storyteller in Sherwood Forest.

Set in the heart of legendary Sherwood Forest, the Robin Hood's Blidworth Trail is an invitation to stroll through myth and memory. This gentle 4 km loop weaves from the heart of the village into meadows and woodland, echoing stories of outlaws, rebels, and everyday life in medieval England. Along the route, you'll find:

• St Mary's Church whose centuries-old stones include the grave of Robin Hood's Will Scarlett
• Drone footage of the mysterious Druid Stone
• Whispers of lost moated sites like Friar Tuck's Well, evoking tales of legendary encounters
• Woodland paths and open views, where the border between folklore and reality blurs
• Excerpts from James Prior's Forest Folk depicting Luddite rebellion at the time of the Napoleonic Wars
• Vintage photographs of the old village trading posts

Interpretation boards and digital resources along the way shed light on the history behind the legend.

Blidworth Colliery Village - an era of coal and community

Postcard depicting Blidworth Colliery during the 1960s. The noise from the steam winding engine was strangely comforting as a child. The pit, a benevolent monster which put food on the table and toys in our Christmas stockings.

If the Robin Hood trail invokes the spirit of rebellion, the Colliery Village Trail is a tribute to community-building and resilience. Marking the arrival of the colliery in 1926, this route reveals the story of Blidworth's rapid transformation from a rural enclave of Sherwood Forest to a thriving pit community.

• Explore the wide avenues of the model village built by the mine-owners based on 20th-century 'garden city' ideals
• Remember the miners' welfare club, schools, and social halls that nurtured generations with sporting events and camaraderie
• Commemorate the Blidworth miners who lost their lives working in the dangerous tunnels deep underground
• Pause at once noisy gathering spots for brass bands and football teams, now tranquil reminders of a vibrant past

Informative pictures and anecdotes ensure the miners, their families, and the architects of this community live on for those retracing the journey.

Blidworth Red Devils Miners' Welfare Football Team team photograph in 1970. Note the cute 9 year old team mascot, and back-row, far-left, (Uncle) Barry Fillingham who trialled for Manchester United in the late 1960s.

Experience mapped across generations

Both trails embody the spirit of Blidworth - proud and keen to honour its heritage. The thoughtful design blends history, storytelling, and local pride, with easy-to-follow maps and family-friendly walking. Modern digital resources, pioneered by Thinkamigo, mean that stories are accessible to all, whether you're visiting in person or learning from afar.

Flower filled crib and signage describing the ancient rocking ceremony practiced at St Mary's Church, Blidworth.

The 'MyTrail' heritage platform provides step-by-step directions, interactive maps, photographs, audio and video.

Take a trail or two

We invite old friends and newcomers alike, to visit Blidworth Library where both trails begin. Whether your heart beats for the tales of Robin Hood, beneath ancient oaks, or finds kinship in the shared memory of Britain's coalfields. Scan the QR code to start your journey - these trails promise insight, reflection, and inspiration at every turn.