The old powerhouse built in 1906 to provide electricity for the "big house" (which was demolished in 1938), became a laundry and now is a National Trust Shop and just past the park’s small garden centre is the visitor’s centre. In here, a large clock towered building you can read about the history of the Park but I found the most recent part of its life the most interesting. Apparently during the war troops were stationed her, but their survey maps were a few years out of date and the ministry of defense hadn’t cottoned on to the fact that the main residence had been demolished. So the troops were moved and Clumber Park became the biggest munitions store in the UK.

Clumber has a fine Kitchen Garden eatery housed in the Information Centre and having great views across the brightly flowered garden to the chapel. The chapel, it’s a somewhat of an understatement as this "chapel" is styled on a Gothic cathedral and is an incredibly impressive building (taking 3 years to build in the late 1880s). Considering it was only used as the estate place of worship the 7th Duke of Newcastle spared no expense and there’s an impressive altar screen, font choir stall and carved wooden figures of Mary and Joseph. The sun shone through the nicely worked stained glass windows and showed off the wrought iron lamps (crafted by the Duke’s estate workers) to perfection. And whilst I was round the chapel I enjoyed a gentle walk alongside the water’s edge, narrowly missing being accosted by demanding ducks seeking foods and delighting in watching the squirrels bounding in front of me around some of the massive ancient trees that abound. Small Romanesque shelters afforded shelter from the sun and an opportunity to rest weary legs and to speculate how extravagant the duke’s of Newcastle had been in their choice of a "building plot"

The walled garden, for which there’s a separate admission charge of £2.00 (free for Trust members), is at the end of a delightful walk down an avenue of trees and is a staggering sight. This 450 foot-long "lean to" greenhouse is said to be typically 19th Century and is believed to be one of the biggest in "full working order". Today it’s planted with figs and vines, just as it would have been originally whilst the "sheds" (an integral part of the complex) have been created as a museum of gardening tools and equipment. This did not overly fascinate me but I liked the room that had been decked out as the head gardener’s retreat. There’s a complicated network of cast iron heating pipes and window opening devices. Outside, gardeners faithfully ensure that all species growing relate to the original time of the garden’s conception. All in all this gives a splendid glimpse into a bygone era.

It was a hot summer’s day (one of the few) and I stuffed my bike in the back of the car and headed for the park. As a National Trust member I can park for free (normally it would be £4.50 per car) and am then able to explore the park at my leisure "from the saddle". Arriving early I was able to park right in the centre although there’s simply loads of parking. Getting the bike out of the boot (trunk if you’re in the US) was a bit of a struggle but I was soon on the designated tracks with my drinks and camera close at hand. Bike hire's very popular - just take full ID along for a 2 hour rental.

I headed for the lake and couldn’t resist pausing on Clumber Bridge, built in the mid-1700’s with its impressive arches and commanding views of the serpentine lake and Clumber’s chapel. On this perfect day I took a side road to the south lodge and although this is a dead end the tranquillity of the ride and the colourful hedgerows made it well worth the effort. There was a cacophony from the multitude of birds and the odd squirrel scampered across the track the ever-present glades.

the return journey was easy – all down hill – and I was soon cycling along the footpath on the other side of Clumber lake. I stopped for breath near to a Greek style lodge (currently undergoing some restoration work) and admired the view over the water to the original site of the Country House (demolished in 1938 with the original intention of the Duke to rebuild, but the war prevented that option). Soon as I admiring the mini-waterfall overlooking Clumber Wetlands (an area that was formed as recently as 1980 when mining subsidence resulted in the flooding of agricultural lands. This is now a haven for wading birds and a great attraction for local bird watchers.

Hardwick Village (built by the Duke as homes for his workforce) was fast approaching and I took in the views of the flooded fields with their petrified trees providing an eerie but attractive resting place for numerous birds. An uphill climb soon rewarded me as I was now riding down the longest avenue of Lime Trees in Europe (I pedalled for a mile down this peaceful road before turning left down (and then steeply up) to the cricket ground and back to my waiting car. A great ride through varied countryside with a wealth of wildlife and, if you want, some pleasant picnic spots.