Clumber Park Lodges Review: Our 3-Night Stay with Away Resorts
We had been looking for a short break somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We wanted somewhere surrounded by nature, where we could slow down, spend some time together and fit in a few gentle walks without feeling the need to rush from one attraction to another.
Clumber Park Lodges seemed to tick all those boxes. Set in the Nottinghamshire countryside and close to Clumber Park, it gave us the chance to combine time outdoors with a relaxing lodge stay. We spent three nights in late August, staying in one of the Shadow Wood lodges. It was also our first experience of staying with Away Resorts.
Before the trip, we were particularly looking forward to the peace and quiet and the chance to explore some of the surrounding countryside. Clumber Park had been on our radar for some time, although we had never visited before.
As it turned out, the location was one of the things we loved most about the stay. We had beautiful places such as Clumber Park and Creswell Crags within easy reach, while the resort itself was peaceful and our lodge was very well equipped. It gave us exactly the mix of nature, couples time and relaxation that we had hoped for.
Where are Clumber Park Lodges?
Clumber Park Lodges are on Clumber Road, just outside Worksop in Nottinghamshire. For us, the drive took around two to two and a half hours, although some of that was down to congestion on the motorway.
Once we left the busier roads behind, the surroundings changed quite quickly. Traffic gradually thinned out and the final part of the journey was along much quieter roads, surrounded by greenery. It already felt like we were leaving urban life behind.
The resort itself was easy to find and the signs were clear as we approached. I would say having a car is useful for getting here, particularly if you want to explore more of Nottinghamshire during your stay.
However, you certainly don't need to drive everywhere once you arrive. Clumber Park is close enough to reach on foot, and we walked there and back during our stay. I will cover our route and the walk in more detail later in this article.
Arrival and check-in
The arrival process had actually started well before we reached Clumber Park.
After our booking was confirmed, Away Resorts sent us an email containing the key information we needed for the stay. This included the check-in and check-out times, full address, where to collect and return our keys and what to do if we arrived after Guest Services had closed.
There were also contact numbers and links to details about facilities and places to visit nearby. It meant there was very
little we needed to work out ourselves before setting off.
I also downloaded the Away Resorts app before the trip. It was useful for keeping resort information in one place and checking details during the stay.
On the day our holiday began, we arrived at around 5pm after a fairly tiring drive. Check-in was at Guest Services and the whole process was quick and easy. The staff were welcoming and gave us a paper map of the resort, some information about the site and directions to our lodge.
The paper map was particularly useful for finding our accommodation. We were staying at Woodland Way 5 and could park right beside the lodge, with plenty of space to unload our bags.
Everything was ready when we arrived, so within a few minutes we had unpacked and could start relaxing.
And the setting helped with that almost immediately.
Directly in front of our lodge was a small pond with a fountain. After spending a couple of hours dealing with motorway traffic, sitting down and hearing the gentle sound of the water was a lovely way to start the break.
First impressions of Clumber Park Lodges
Our first impression was simply how quiet it was.
Clumber Park Lodges did not feel like the sort of busy holiday park where everything revolves around a central entertainment area. It felt more like a collection of individual lodges spread through a large green space.
There are some mature trees around the resort, together with lots of younger trees and new planting. We stayed in Woodland Way, which is one of the newer parts of the resort and you could see that the landscaping here was still developing.
We had also arrived after several very hot and dry weeks, so some of the grass was understandably brown rather than green. With more rain and as the younger trees become established, I imagine this part of the site will look quite different.
The grounds themselves were tidy and well looked after.
Some of the lodges were a bit close together. That said, noise was never a problem for us. We occasionally heard children enjoying themselves, particularly during the evenings, but we did not hear conversations or noise coming from the neighbouring lodges. At night, the resort was very quiet.
Our Shadow Wood lodge at Woodland Way
We stayed in Woodland Way 5, which was one of Away Resorts' new Shadow Wood lodges.
The Shadow Wood has two bedrooms but can sleep up to eight people. There is one double bedroom, a second bedroom containing two full-size bunk beds for four people and a pull-out sofa in the living area for a further two guests.
Our first reaction when we opened the door was how smart it looked.
I particularly loved the dark green used throughout the lodge. It happens to be one of my favourite colours, so the kitchen immediately caught my eye. The deep green cupboards, dark fittings and warm wood tones gave the lodge a modern look without making it feel cold.
There were lots of little design details too, from the wood-effect panels behind the bed to the pendant lights and black trim running through the interiors.
More importantly, the space had been used very well. It never felt cramped and the layout had clearly been planned with larger families and groups in mind.
Everything was spotlessly clean when we arrived and, as this was a new lodge, everything still felt fresh.
Living and dining area
The main living area is open plan, with the kitchen, dining space and lounge all flowing into one another.
There was a large corner sofa with plenty of seating. It was a genuinely comfortable room to spend time in rather than simply somewhere to sit between outings.
Large windows and glazed doors brought in plenty of natural light during the day. They also looked out across the decking towards the pond, which was one of our favourite things about the position of our lodge.
There is a dining table beside the living area, which we used during the stay. It was nice having a proper dining space rather than having to eat from the coffee table or kitchen worktop.
There was also a large TV in the lounge.
We spent all three evenings back at the lodge, so having a living space where we actually wanted to sit and relax made a difference.
Kitchen and self-catering
The kitchen was one of the best equipped we have had in a holiday lodge.
There was a full-size fridge/freezer, oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, kettle and toaster. There was also plenty of crockery, cutlery, glassware, pots, pans and cooking utensils.
The cupboards and worktops gave us plenty of space, and the large open-plan layout meant cooking never felt cramped.
Some basic items were supplied too, along with a small welcome selection waiting for us when we arrived. Washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets were provided. Tea, sugar and a few other useful items were also included.
We cooked during the stay rather than eating out every evening. Nothing elaborate, just the sort of simple vegetarian food I would normally make at home, using both the hob and oven.
After actually using the kitchen rather than simply looking around it, I would happily self-cater here for several days. It had everything we needed to prepare proper meals.
Bedrooms
The main bedroom had a double bed, fitted storage and bedside tables.
The room was a comfortable size, with enough space to move around easily and plenty of storage for a short stay. Plug sockets were sensibly placed and the lighting was soft and comfortable.
Most importantly, the bed was very comfortable. We slept well throughout the stay.
There was also a small TV in the bedroom, although we never used it.
The second bedroom was much more compact and contained two bunk beds, allowing four people to sleep there. Combined with the pull-out sofa in the lounge, this is how the two-bedroom Shadow Wood can accommodate up to eight guests.
I think the layout would work particularly well for a family, with adults using the main bedroom and children taking the bunk room.
Bathrooms
The lodge had two bathrooms.
The main bedroom had an en-suite with a bath and overhead shower, while the second bathroom had a separate shower cubicle. The bathrooms continued the dark, modern look used elsewhere in the lodge, including deep green tiling in the shower room.
Both were spacious enough, water pressure was good and there was useful storage around the sinks.
Towels were provided. There were no full-size toiletries, so I would recommend bringing your own shampoo, shower gel and other bathroom products. There was a small bar of soap in each bathroom.
A few useful things to know about the lodge
There were quite a few small practical things that made the stay easier.
Wi-Fi worked well throughout our visit and we also had a good mobile signal.
Bed linen and towels were provided and the beds were already made when we arrived. The lodge has central heating, although we didn't need to use it because the weather was warm throughout our August stay.
There was no washing machine in our Shadow Wood lodge. If this is important for a longer stay, some of the other lodge types at Clumber Park do include one.
For a three-night break, we found the lodge very well equipped. There wasn't much we needed to bring beyond our food, clothes and personal toiletries.
Decking, pond views and the hot tub
The decking turned out to be one of our favourite parts of the lodge.
It ran along the side of the accommodation and had outdoor seating and a table. From here, we looked directly across the small pond in front of Woodland Way 5.
During the mornings, it was a lovely place to sit with a cup of tea. At night, the pond and fountain were lit and the whole area took on a very different feel.
Although we could see some of the nearby lodge decking from ours, the hot tub itself had better privacy. People walking past could not look directly into it.
The hot tub was spacious, spotlessly clean and ready to use from the start. It was also very easy to operate.
We used it on two evenings, usually once we had finished exploring for the day. There is something rather nice about getting into a warm hot tub as the light disappears and the resort starts to quieten down.
Staff checked and maintained the hot tub twice each day throughout our stay, which was reassuring.
For us the hot tub was a lovely extra. It certainly added to those relaxed evenings.
What is it actually like staying at Clumber Park Lodges?
For us, this was where Clumber Park Lodges really worked.
We hadn't come here looking for a packed programme of activities. We wanted walks during the day and somewhere peaceful to come back to afterwards.
Mornings were especially quiet. I would take a cup of tea outside and sit on the decking. There was virtually no traffic noise. Most of the time there was just the occasional bird and the sound of the little fountain in front of us.
That morning cup of tea beside the water is probably one of the simple moments I will remember most from the stay.
Evenings were slightly livelier, particularly with families enjoying themselves around their lodges, but it never became noisy. As the sun went down, we would either sit outside or use the hot tub.
And that was exactly the sort of break we had wanted.
Staying in a lodge also felt very different from spending three nights in a hotel. We had open skies, trees around us, our own outdoor space and the sound of water just outside. We could cook when we wanted, go out walking and then spend the rest of the evening doing absolutely nothing.
Three nights felt like a good amount of time for a short break, although I could easily have stayed longer.
Facilities at Away Resorts Clumber Park Lodges
Clumber Park Lodges has a fairly simple range of facilities. This is not really a resort built around large entertainment complexes. The focus is much more on the countryside, outdoor activities and using the resort as a base for exploring the area.
The Woodshed Café & Bar is the main place for food and drink on site. It serves hot and cold food and drinks and is licensed to serve alcohol. Dogs are also welcome.
There is also a convenience shop at reception. It is open seven days a week and sells everyday essentials, frozen food, snacks, cleaning products and a small selection of gifts.
Bike hire is available from the resort, which makes sense given the amount of woodland and the network of cycling routes around Clumber Park and the surrounding area.
There are also seasonal activities, with the exact programme changing during the year. Away Resorts currently lists activities such as pottery decorating, disc golf, body zorbs, Nerf challenges and mini archery. These can be checked through the Away Resorts app.
Two newer additions are particularly useful for families and dog owners. There is a woodland-style children's play area, with climbing and balancing equipment, swings and natural timber features. There is also a dog agility area, giving four-legged guests somewhere to burn off some energy.
Golfers have another option nearby, with Away Resorts partnering with Worksop Golf Club. The wider resort also promotes walking, cycling and nature trails as some of the main reasons to stay here.
Walking around Clumber Park Lodges
One of the things we liked about staying at Clumber Park Lodges was how easy it was to fit short walks into the day.
After dinner, we would often go for a quick stroll around the resort. The paths were clean and well maintained, and the site was quiet enough that these evening walks felt very relaxed.
There is also woodland immediately behind the resort. We asked the Guest Services team how to reach it and were shown a route that leads directly from within the park.
We explored the woodland one day and really enjoyed it. Once amongst the trees, it felt surprisingly wild considering how close we were to the lodges. Tall pines, ferns and thick woodland surrounded the paths, and it was another easy way to spend some time in nature without having to drive anywhere.
For us, having this woodland virtually on the doorstep was one of the big advantages of the location.
Walking from Clumber Park Lodges to Clumber Park
Clumber Park was one of the main places we wanted to visit during the break, and we decided to walk there rather than drive.
From the resort, we headed towards Truman's Gate before following the route through the woodland towards Clumber Park. The paths and cycle markers were easy to follow.
The first short stretch involved walking alongside the road, but after that we were away from traffic for most of the route. It was just woodland, open countryside and paths. The terrain was mostly level, with no difficult slopes or awkward sections. It took us around 40 minutes to reach the park, arriving close to the Ornamental Bridge.
I really enjoyed this approach. Instead of simply driving into a car park, the walk felt like part of the day out.
If you are comfortable walking for around 40 minutes each way, I would definitely consider leaving the car at the lodge.
For the return journey, we left Clumber Park through the main entrance. From there, it was essentially a straight route back towards Clumber Park Lodges.
Spending a day at Clumber Park
We visited Clumber Park on the Saturday and spent around four hours exploring the estate.
We followed much of the easy Walk for All Seasons, adding a few detours along the way. It gave us a good mix of woodland, gardens, historic buildings and views across Clumber Lake.
One of my favourite places was the Walled Kitchen Garden and Glasshouse. There was so much growing during our August visit, including apples, pears, grapes, tomatoes, chillies, aubergines and gourds.
Other stops included the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin, the Pleasure Grounds, Lincoln Stables and the lakeside. The Ornamental Bridge was another highlight and gave us some of my favourite views of the day.
It was a sunny Saturday during the school holidays, so the park was naturally busy, but it never felt unpleasantly crowded.
Clumber Park deserves much more space than I can give it in this article, so I have covered our visit separately in my guide to visiting Clumber Park.
Creswell Crags and the Welbeck Estate
Clumber Park wasn't our only outing during the three-night break.
We also visited Creswell Crags, another fascinating place within easy reach of the resort.
We went for a walk around the limestone gorge before following the Heritage Trail towards the Welbeck Estate, giving us another completely different day outdoors.
This was something I particularly liked about the location of Clumber Park Lodges. You don't have to spend your stay driving long distances between attractions. There are several interesting places and good walking routes close enough to make the resort a very practical base for a short Nottinghamshire break.
Between Clumber Park, Creswell Crags, the Welbeck Estate, the woodland beside the resort and time relaxing at the lodge, we certainly didn't struggle to fill our three days.
Who would Clumber Park Lodges suit?
One of the strengths of Clumber Park Lodges is that it can work for a wide range of guests.
We stayed as a couple and found it worked really well for a relaxing break. We had plenty of space, our own hot tub and a quiet setting where we could switch off at the end of the day. We spent our days walking and exploring, then came back to the lodge for relaxed evenings together.
The resort never felt too focused on one particular type of guest. The lodge beside us had a small family staying in it, while another nearby lodge had a much larger group. We also saw plenty of guests with dogs.
Families are well catered for, especially after the £3 million investment ahead of summer 2026. This included the new Woodland Way development, a natural log-style playground and Paws to Play, Away Resorts' first dedicated dog play park and agility course.
Larger families and groups of friends also have plenty of choice. Woodland Way includes five 8-berth Shadow Wood lodges, like the one we stayed in, as well as 15 new Serpentine Lodges. These sleep up to ten people and have four bedrooms, three bathrooms and larger kitchens.
It is also a very good base for walkers and cyclists. We had woodland right beside the resort, could walk to Clumber Park and had several other walking routes within easy reach.
Hot tubs are now available in 99% of the accommodation at Clumber Park, so the resort also works well if you simply want to relax and spend more time at your lodge.
For us, it worked perfectly as a couples' break, and I would happily choose it again.
I think Clumber Park Lodges is best suited to couples, families, groups of friends, dog owners, walkers and cyclists who enjoy the outdoors and want somewhere peaceful to return to afterwards.
If you are looking for lots of nightlife, restaurants or constant organised entertainment, it probably wouldn't be my first choice. But if your idea of a good break involves nature, walking and quiet evenings, it works very well.
Is Away Resorts Clumber Park Lodges worth staying at?
For us, yes.
We had come looking for three quiet days away from the hustle and bustle, with a mix of walking, nature and time together. Clumber Park Lodges gave us exactly that.
The location was excellent. We could walk to Clumber Park, explore the woodland beside the resort and easily reach places such as Creswell Crags and the Welbeck Estate.
Our Shadow Wood lodge was also better than we had expected. It was modern, comfortable and very well equipped, and being in the newly developed Woodland Way area made the stay feel particularly fresh.
The recent £3 million investment also means the resort now has more choice for different types of guests. Families have the new playground, dog owners have Paws to Play, and larger groups can choose between the new Shadow Wood and Serpentine lodges. With hot tubs now available in almost all the accommodation, there is also plenty of emphasis on simply relaxing.
Three nights felt just right for this particular trip. It gave us enough time to explore without feeling rushed, while still leaving us with plenty of evenings to enjoy the lodge.
I could easily have stayed longer, though.
This was our first experience of Away Resorts and it has certainly made us interested in trying another of their locations.
Would I stay at Clumber Park Lodges again? Definitely.
For a couple, family or larger group wanting a peaceful Nottinghamshire break with nature and good walking close by, I think it is a very easy place to recommend.
Quiet, relaxing and peaceful are still the three words that best sum up our stay.
To learn more about all of Away Resorts' holiday parks and to book your holiday, visit www.awayresorts.co.uk
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