A new daily bus service connecting Worksop and Clumber Park will launch this summer, helping more people access nature, heritage and free family activities throughout the school holidays.
Running from Saturday 25 July to Sunday 6 September, the service is being funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and operated by Stagecoach East Midlands, in partnership with the National Trust.
The route will run three times a day, every day, linking Worksop Train Station, Worksop Bus Station, Manton Depots and Clumber Park, before returning along the same route.
The service has been designed to align with train services into Worksop, particularly from Nottingham, creating better public transport links into one of Nottinghamshire’s most visited attractions and supporting more sustainable travel choices across the region.
Return tickets will cost £3 per person, including admission into Clumber Park, with travel and entry free for National Trust members, children under five and any visitors arriving into Worksop by train with a valid ticket.
The initiative builds on previous seasonal bus trials and forms part of a wider commitment to reducing barriers to accessing nature-rich spaces.
At the heart of the scheme is a shared ambition to support people who may not have regular access to private transport, enabling more families and individuals to enjoy affordable days out.
Visitors arriving at Clumber Park by bus will be able to enjoy the popular Summer of Play programme, which returns for its fourth year. Included with normal admission and free for visitors, this year’s refreshed programme features six interactive play zones: Loose Parts, Active, Nature, Imagination, Toddler, and new for 2026, the Pokémon Zone.
Alongside the play zones, families can also enjoy free ukulele workshops and storytelling sessions, as well as additional bookable activities such as yoga and craft sessions, movement & mindfulness sessions, nature dyeing workshops, The Big Tree Climb and live pantomime performances from Talegate Theatre Productions.
However, organisers say the transport initiative itself is the real milestone.
Clumber Park’s Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager, Claire Sarris explains:
“Access to public transport can often be one of the biggest barriers preventing people from visiting Clumber Park. This service helps bridge that gap by creating an affordable and sustainable way for more people to visit during the summer holidays.
Working with key partners, we hope to welcome families and communities who may not otherwise be able to access the park, whether that’s to enjoy Summer of Play, explore the landscape, or simply spend time together outdoors and make lasting memories”.
The service also supports ambitions within the East Midlands Mayor’s wider transport plan, encouraging greater use of integrated and sustainable public transport while improving access to leisure, culture and green spaces across the region.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward says:
“I am delighted to fund this summer service to Clumber Park. Too many people face barriers accessing the wonderful tourist spots on our doorstep, and this is one simple, affordable way to help change that.
Linking bus and rail makes it easier to choose public transport and means visiting one of Nottinghamshire’s best-loved destinations is accessible to more communities.
This is the kind of practical, joined-up transport we want to see more of across the East Midlands – better connections, greener journeys, and more chances for families and communities to enjoy everything our region has to offer.”
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands adds:
“At just £3 for your travel and park entry, catching the bus is a great value and hugely enjoyable way to visit one of the great attractions of our region. We’re proud to be part of the partnership making it possible for local people to enjoy the wonder of Clumber Park. It is a real pleasure for our drivers to play an important role in helping people escape into nature throughout the summer.”
Further timetable information will be available via the Clumber Park and Stagecoach East Midlands websites as well as the Ride app, ahead of the summer holidays.
Posted on 18 May 2026
