Autumn splendour
1 / 12

Thieves Wood and Fountaindale

4.4
·150 reviews·, United Kingdom

Discover the serene beauty of Thieves Wood and Fountaindale, a network of peaceful woodland trails perfect for exploration and nature walks.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Quieter trails, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Autumn splendour

Thieves Wood and Fountaindale

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Quieter trails, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover the serene beauty of Thieves Wood and Fountaindale, a network of peaceful woodland trails perfect for exploration and nature walks.

4.4
(150 reviews)

"Beautiful walk but the dirty dog owners leaving bags of poo ruins it - take it home lazy."

Vertical photo
TIP

🐾 Pack Out Dog Waste

Please take all dog waste bags with you. Discarding them in the woods ruins the experience for others.

🚗 Watch for Speed Bumps

Be cautious of speed bumps when entering the car park, especially in lower vehicles.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.4 · 150 reviews

Type

National Park

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Endless Woodland Trails

Endless Woodland Trails

Discover a vast network of paths winding through beautiful, quiet woods. Perfect for exploration and a peaceful escape.

Fountaindale's Natural Charm

Fountaindale's Natural Charm

Experience the serene beauty of Fountaindale, a lovely spot to spend a few hours in nature, alone or with company.

Dog-Friendly Exploration

Dog-Friendly Exploration

A great place for your canine companions to explore numerous little trails and enjoy the outdoors.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Respect the Woods: Pack It In, Pack It Out

While Thieves Wood and Fountaindale offer beautiful natural escapes, many visitors report issues with discarded dog waste bags. Please be a responsible visitor and take all waste with you when you leave. This helps preserve the beauty for everyone. Reddit+1

Navigating the Trails

These woods are a network of endless trails, perfect for exploration. Be mindful of bridleways if walking dogs, as horses may be present. Some visitors note speed bumps upon entry, so drive cautiously if you have a low car. Reddit+1

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Quieter trails, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
Good for longer explorations
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🐾 Pack Out Dog Waste

Please take all dog waste bags with you. Discarding them in the woods ruins the experience for others. Reddit+1

🚗 Watch for Speed Bumps

Be cautious of speed bumps when entering the car park, especially in lower vehicles. Reddit

🐎 Be Aware of Horses

Main trails are bridleways; watch for horses when walking dogs. Reddit

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Trails can be uneven; comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

🐾 Pack Out Dog Waste

Please take all dog waste bags with you. Discarding them in the woods ruins the experience for others. Reddit+1

🚗 Watch for Speed Bumps

Be cautious of speed bumps when entering the car park, especially in lower vehicles. Reddit

🐎 Be Aware of Horses

Main trails are bridleways; watch for horses when walking dogs. Reddit

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Trails can be uneven; comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(150 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Thieves Wood and Fountaindale for their beautiful, quiet woodland setting and extensive trail network, making them ideal for exploration and dog walking. However, a significant drawback is the prevalent issue of discarded dog waste, which detracts from the natural beauty and visitor experience. Reddit+2

"Went for a walk with my wife and grandchildren today 14/6/2025 through Theives Wood Mansfield to be met by discarded piles of dog poo bags, why do people pick up their dogs waste then discard the bag and contents on the floor instead of taking it home and binning it, I know that there are no bins to put the bags in but that's not an excuse to just leave it on the floor. Rant over, apart from that was a nice walk away from the waste bags."

Anthony Woolley

"Beautiful walk but the dirty dog owners leaving bags of poo - when told not to ruins it - take it home lazy

It doesn’t kill you
Suggest hang on rear windscreen wiper until home
If don’t like it at home don’t take dog out"

Liz

"These woods are beautiful! A lovely, quiet place to explore and pass a few hours with your friends or by yourself. The carpark is a decent size, but watch the speed bumps as you enter as they can catch you out if you have a lower car like myself. All in all, a beautiful place that you should definitely visit sometime."

Luke Garratt

What People Like

Beautiful woodland scenery
Extensive trail network
Dog-friendly environment

What People Dislike

Discarded dog waste
Lack of bins

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Access is typically via local roads. Parking is available in a decent-sized car park, though some visitors opt to park on nearby streets. Reddit+1

Yes, there is a car park available. Be mindful of speed bumps upon entry, especially if you have a low car. Reddit

Information on public transport routes is limited, but local roads provide car access. It's best to check local bus schedules if relying on public transport.

Thieves Wood and Fountaindale are located near Mansfield. This provides a good base for planning your visit.

The main access point often mentioned is via the car park, which has speed bumps. Other smaller street access points may also exist. Reddit+1

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to Thieves Wood and Fountaindale is generally free. There are no admission fees mentioned by visitors. Reddit

As natural woodland areas, they are typically open from dawn till dusk. There are no set opening or closing times. Reddit

Parking is usually free, with one reviewer specifically mentioning '1 star for free parking'. Reddit

Yes, these are natural woodland areas, so you can visit them during daylight hours. It's advisable to leave before dark for safety. Reddit

The main restriction is to be respectful of the environment and other visitors. Please adhere to local guidelines regarding waste disposal. Reddit+1

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The primary activity is walking and exploring the numerous woodland trails. It's a peaceful place for nature lovers and dog walkers. Reddit+1

While the woods are beautiful, some reviews mention issues with litter, particularly dog waste. The trails themselves offer varied terrain for exploration. Reddit+2

Yes, it's a lovely place for families to enjoy a walk and explore nature. However, be mindful of the dog waste issue and ensure children are supervised. Reddit+1

Absolutely! It's a very dog-friendly location with many trails for them to explore. Just remember to clean up after your pet. Reddit

Reviews suggest a lack of bins, which contributes to the litter problem. It's best to assume no facilities are available and come prepared. Reddit+1

📸 📸 Photography

The natural woodland scenery, winding paths, and dappled sunlight create beautiful photographic opportunities. Look for interesting tree formations and light patterns. Reddit

Early morning or late afternoon often provides the best light for woodland photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones. Reddit

While there aren't specific man-made landmarks, the natural beauty of the woods, including mature trees and varied undergrowth, offers plenty of picturesque scenes. Reddit

A versatile lens, such as a 24-70mm or a prime lens like a 50mm, would be suitable for capturing the woodland environment. A wide-angle lens can also be useful for landscapes. Reddit

Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local bylaws and obtain any necessary permissions before flying a drone in the area.

You may also like

1 of 2
Thieves Wood and Fountaindale (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide