Brierley Forest Country Park

Brierley Forest Country Park is located between Huthwaite and Stanton Hill and over the past few years has become a success story.

One of the latest in the county's list of country parks it now boasts a new visitor centre. It is build on 250 acres of land, some of which were the Brierley Colliery spoil tip. The pit was called Sutton Colliery but got the name Brierley because many of the original miners came from Brierley in Staffordshire.

In the park there has been much planting of trees and wildflower meadows along with a wildlife pond which is new attracting species of wildfowl.activity concentrated in tree planting, the development of wetlands and a proposed Visitor Centre.

The site is part of the Greenwood Community Forest an provides countryside and recreation for everyone. nature study, educational visits, photography and much more. There are a number of access points to the park: Skegby Road, of Sutton Road, Huthwaite. Ashfield Road West, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Brand Lane in Stanton Hill.

Visitor Centre.

The Brierley Forest Country Park Visitor Centre is now open. The centre is a base for the Friends of Brierley Country Park Group.

The centre is user friendly with its sign oryn the door stating, "Dogs on leads and muddy boots welcome".

New sculpture .

A major new sculpture has been unveiled at Brierley Forest Park at Huthwaite.

The sculture - by artist Andrew McKeown - was created to celebrate the transformation of the former colliery site into an area with woodland and wildflower meadows.

The stone and iron sculpture depicts a giant seed emerging from an old and broken industrial mould, depicting rebirth.

It is positioned near Brierley Waters close to the Ashland Road West entrance to the park.

Friends of Brierley Forest Park.

The conservation group acts as a link between the users of the park and Ashfield District Council who manage the park. Members act as the 'eyes and ears' within the park working in close liaison with the council's Ranger Service.