Shipley Country Park

'First time visitors to Shipley Park, entering the park through the sprawling Heanor Gate Industrial Estate, begin to doubt that an attractive country park lies ahead and think they have taken a wrong turn. Suddenly Shipley Park is entered, the noise of industry is silenced and an area of wooded parkland, hills, lakes, trails and an abundance of wildlife stretches out in front of you ... The park covers an area of 600 acres of varied landscape and has 18 miles of footpaths. It lies between the former pit towns of Heanor and Ilkeston. The other main entrance is at Mapperley, off the Ilkeston to West Hallam road, where a car park, toilet facilities and a picnic area are provided.'