🎄 XMAS SPECIAL: Bradgate Deer Park & Nottingham Christmas Market

Celebrate the festive season with a small group of up to 15! Travelling together by private minibus, we’ll combine a scenic winter hike among wild deer, a famous Christmas market and a festive drink in England’s oldest inn – all in one relaxed day, something that just isn’t possible by train.

We’ve created a list of FAQs to help answer your questions.

Kick off the festive season and join us for an early Christmas celebration! 🎁 🍷 🎶 On this truly special trip, we’ll combine a scenic hike with a visit to Nottingham’s Christmas Market, recognised as one of the best in England!

We’ll walk a popular route, featured in Britain’s Favourite 100 Walks, chosen by a panel of experienced authors and guides and presented by Julia Bradbury on ITV. The trail will take us through the wild and rugged Bradgate Park, with its dramatic rocky outcrops and gnarled old oak trees, many of them over 500 years old. Today, the medieval park is home to a herd of around 550 red and fallow deer, which roam freely. It’s an excellent opportunity to get up close to them and take some amazing photos! 📸

Along the way, we’ll visit two fantastic viewpoints with spectacular panoramic views. First, we’ll climb to the iconic 18th-century folly of Old John Tower (212 metres), the highest point of Bradgate Park. Then we’ll head to the summit of Beacon Hill (248 metres), the second highest point in Leicestershire.

After some great hiking, we’ll head to Nottingham’s Christmas Market to soak up the wonderful festive atmosphere! Warm up with a glass of mulled wine, sample delicious local food, browse the stalls for unique gift ideas or take a ride on the 32-metre Observation Wheel for breathtaking views over Nottingham. There’s something for everyone! You’ll also have time to walk to the famous Robin Hood Statue and Nottingham Castle where, as legend has it, the outlaw was held before he escaped to his hiding place in Sherwood Forest.

To round off the day, we’ll finish at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, England's oldest surviving inn, tucked beneath the castle walls. 🍺 It claims to date back to 1189 and is said to have been a stopping point for crusader knights, including King Richard the Lionheart, on their way to the Holy Land. Its atmospheric rooms are carved straight into the sandstone caves, and it’s certainly one of the most unusual pubs you’ll have visited! It’s the perfect cosy spot for a festive drink before heading home!

DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY

Distance: 7 miles (11km).
Ascent: 350m.
Difficulty: Easy.

ITINERARY

07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station)
08:00 Sharp departure
10:30-14:00 Bradgate Medieval Deer Park & Swithland Wood Walk
14:45-17:30 Nottingham’s Christmas Market: free time for lunch, the Robin Hood Statue and Nottingham Castle, plus festive drinks at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (England’s oldest pub!)
17:30 Departure
20:30 London, Hammersmith

TRANSPORT

As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus.

SAFETY

This hike is led by an experienced, Outdoor First Aid qualified hike leader.

BOOKING

To keep ticket prices down and avoid PayPal/Meetup fees (£7 extra per ticket), we kindly ask for payment by bank transfer. Please include your Meetup name and the trip as the payment reference (e.g. John Nottingham). As places are limited, we can hold your place for 24 hours.

Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited
Sort Code: 20-17-20
Account Number: 63116514

We'll let you know by changing your status to “Paid” as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the attendees list of the event. You don’t need a paid Meetup subscription to do this – just close any pop-up windows and continue.

THE PRICE OF £78 INCLUDES

Transport throughout the trip
Experienced, professional PSV minibus driver
Guiding on all hiking routes by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
Professional event organisation
Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders
Admin fee
20% VAT

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects, and personal trekking insurance)

HOW TO CONTACT US

For all enquiries, please PM Anna (the main organiser) via Meetup. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] We'll usually get back to you within 4 hours.

Your guide will be Anna (07596844467, only for use during the hike). Please get in touch if you have any difficulty locating the meeting point or need help during the trip.

WHAT TO BRING

Suitable hiking shoes with ankle support
Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers or a poncho (if there is a chance of rain)
Gloves/hat/cap
Water (min 1L)
Packed lunch (optional)

REVIEWS ⭐

We have hosted over 700 events on Meetup and received an incredible number of positive reviews from our community. We’re proud to have achieved an average event rating of 4.8 out of 5. Please keep sharing your feedback – it helps us continue to improve and make every trip even better!

JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

This is where we share pictures from our events. Feel free to use for inspiration on where to go next!

Facebook group link and Instagram

REFUND POLICY

You can check our refund policy here.