Zig Zag Tours

13/11/2024

4th Duke of Newcastle's diary entry, 13th October 1831 (2 days after the burning of Nottingham Castle):

'...I reached Clumber at about 11 o'clock. I could not believe what I saw, everything was removed that was valuable...and nothing but bare walls, and the house filled with men in all the rooms, with cannons, of which I have 10 x 3 pounders and 14 little ship guns and fi****ms, muskets and pistols and sabres planted in their proper positions and in all the windows. The scene was beyond description, the confusion occasioned by my arrival might have formed several pages for the pen of an experienced novelist....the preparations are indeed formidable; sufficient to repel 20,000 men'

To join us for this fascinating Q&A and supper at please visit our website.
https://zigzag.tours/tours/zig-zags-xmas-party-2024

27/10/2024

Lecture, food and merriment.

Date: Thursday 28th November

Time: 18.00 –Late

Start: Little Brickhouse 110 Derby Rd, Nottingham NG1 5FB

Difficulty: easy

As described in his academic bio, Professor Richard Gaunt is an expert in 'late eighteenth and early nineteenth century British history, with a particular specialism in the political and electoral history of the age'...so what better way to celebrate the legendary Zig Zag Tours Xmas Party than a Q&A with the Prof on the diaries of the 4th Duke of Newcastle.

The 4th Duke's diary entries between 1822-1850 will leave you open mouthed with astonishment. Eye watering expenditure on speculative development, estate aggrandisement and political intrigue, that took him to the brink of bankruptcy and back again. Join us at Little Brickhouse for one of their exquisite buffet menus, fine wine and a deep dive into the Duke's bewildering life experiences.

We have booked the basement room of Little Brickhouse for the event and we will have music, merriment and maybe even a little dancing after the talk.

For tickets to our zig zag xmas party please go to our website.

tours, little bricks , 4th duke of Newcastle

13/10/2024

Little John, gate appreciation, history of trespass, fermentation, hearty food and good conversation.

04/10/2024

Our Zig Zag weekender is SOLD OUT but if you fancy joining us for the Saturday 12th walk with Toby we have a few tickets remaining and the weather looks good.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kinder-scout-mass-trespass-walking-tour-tickets-1006800857467

02/10/2024

Georgian Derby and Belper tours by historian, Danielle Burton

16/09/2024

WALKING TOURS / MINI HOLIDAY

Date: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October

Start/Finish: YHA Hathersage

Difficulty: easy/medium

Highlights: trespass, fermentation, autumnal scenes, good food and design.

ITINERARY

Friday 11 October: 2/3miles easy, start at 3pm

After checking in at the hostel, our resident artist Chiara Dellerba will lead a local exploration around Hathersage, among the explosion of autumnal delights of the peaks and all the nourishing fruits with health benefits, before she leads the Fermentation Extravaganza.

Can eating bring us closer to our bodies? What can it teach us about our connection with the land and the soil? This workshop provides a hands-on introduction to the art of fermentation and other natural preserving methods. Over the course of the session, you will be introduced to the history, health benefits and methods of these techniques, while using a range of ingredients to create your own edible stories to take away at the end of the workshop.

Saturday 12 October: 12 miles and intermediate level of walking required

Don't forget to bring your beret, as we recreate the legendary Kinder Scout Mass Trespass.

On the 24th April 1932, activists from numerous Marxist sports clubs approached Kinder Scout to protest against the great landed estates who restricted the public from accessing their land (most of the Peak District that we know and love today).

Violent scuffles broke out with gamekeepers and several of the 'trespassers' were arrested. But it is said the protests paved the way for the 1949 National Parks Act.

We will follow in the footsteps of the trespassers, as Zig Zag Tours' Toby Ebbs recounts the background to the event, also considering the wider context of communist activism on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (many of those who were on Kinder Scout that day went on to fight Franco in Spain).

For more info and how to book please visit our website.

https://zigzag.tours/tours/ferment-design-and-trespass

13/09/2024

WALKING TOURS / MINI HOLIDAY
Date: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October
Start/Finish: YHA Hathersage
Difficulty: easy/medium
Highlights: trespass, fermentation, autumnal scenes, good food and design.
ITINERARY
Friday 11 October: 2/3miles easy, start at 3pm
After checking in at the hostel, our resident artist Chiara Dellerba will lead a local exploration around Hathersage, among the explosion of autumnal delights of the peaks and all the nourishing fruits with health benefits, before she leads the Fermentation Extravaganza.
Can eating bring us closer to our bodies? What can it teach us about our connection with the land and the soil? This workshop provides a hands-on introduction to the art of fermentation and other natural preserving methods. Over the course of the session, you will be introduced to the history, health benefits and methods of these techniques, while using a range of ingredients to create your own edible stories to take away at the end of the workshop.
Saturday 12 October: 12 miles and intermediate level of walking required
Don't forget to bring your beret, as we recreate the legendary Kinder Scout Mass Trespass.
On the 24th April 1932, activists from numerous Marxist sports clubs approached Kinder Scout to protest against the great landed estates who restricted the public from accessing their land (most of the Peak District that we know and love today).
Violent scuffles broke out with gamekeepers and several of the 'trespassers' were arrested. But it is said the protests paved the way for the 1949 National Parks Act.
We will follow in the footsteps of the trespassers, as Zig Zag Tours' Toby Ebbs recounts the background to the event, also considering the wider context of communist activism on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (many of those who were on Kinder Scout that day went on to fight Franco in Spain).
For more info and how to book please visit our website.
https://zigzag.tours/tours/ferment-design-and-trespass

WALKING TOURS / MINI HOLIDAY

Date: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 October

Start/Finish: YHA Hathersage

Difficulty: easy/medium

Highlights: trespass, fermentation, autumnal scenes, good food and design.

ITINERARY

Friday 11 October: 2/3miles easy, start at 3pm

After checking in at the hostel, our resident artist Chiara Dellerba will lead a local exploration around Hathersage, among the explosion of autumnal delights of the peaks and all the nourishing fruits with health benefits, before she leads the Fermentation Extravaganza.

Can eating bring us closer to our bodies? What can it teach us about our connection with the land and the soil? This workshop provides a hands-on introduction to the art of fermentation and other natural preserving methods. Over the course of the session, you will be introduced to the history, health benefits and methods of these techniques, while using a range of ingredients to create your own edible stories to take away at the end of the workshop.

Saturday 12 October: 12 miles and intermediate level of walking required

Don't forget to bring your beret, as we recreate the legendary Kinder Scout Mass Trespass.

On the 24th April 1932, activists from numerous Marxist sports clubs approached Kinder Scout to protest against the great landed estates who restricted the public from accessing their land (most of the Peak District that we know and love today).

Violent scuffles broke out with gamekeepers and several of the 'trespassers' were arrested. But it is said the protests paved the way for the 1949 National Parks Act.

We will follow in the footsteps of the trespassers, as Zig Zag Tours' Toby Ebbs recounts the background to the event, also considering the wider context of communist activism on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (many of those who were on Kinder Scout that day went on to fight Franco in Spain).

For more info and how to book please visit our website.

https://zigzag.tours/tours/ferment-design-and-trespass

02/09/2024

WALKING TOUR

Date: Saturday 12th October 10.30am-4.30pm

Start/Finish: Edale car park

Difficulty: medium/hard 12 miles

Highlights: Trespass, Communism, Kinder Scout, Peak District.

Don't forget to bring your beret, as we recreate the legendary Kinder Scout Mass Trespass.

On the 24th April 1932, activists from numerous Marxist sports clubs approached Kinder Scout to protest against the great landed estates who restricted the public from accessing their land (most of the Peak District that we know and love today).

Violent scuffles broke out with gamekeepers and several of the 'trespassers' were arrested. But it is said the protests paved the way for the 1949 National Parks Act.

We will follow in the footsteps of the trespassers, as Zig Zag Tours' Toby Ebbs recounts the background to the event, also considering the wider context of communist activism on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (many of those who were on Kinder Scout that day went on to fight Franco in Spain).

This is a long and fairly strenuous walk, please be able and bring good walking boots, water and snacks.

To book on this fantastic tour, please visit
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1006800857467?aff=oddtdtcreator

23/08/2024

Bargain E bike hire in the East Midlands! Get exploring your local area near and far, with some amazing places to visit and fantastic cycle routes. For inspiration and how to book your e bike, please visit

https://bikesloveyou.org/bike-adventures

We also have a new self led 5/6 day tour, Four Counties now on our website

09/08/2024

Weather looking good for tomorrow's tree tour.

08/08/2024

08/08/2024

This Saturday 1.30pm-4.30pm, a lovely little bike tour around Nottingham, celebrating our glorious trees.

https://zigzag.tours/tours/tree-weelin-an-exploration-of-trees-in-nottingham

26/07/2024

Few tickets left for our tree exploration tour on the 10th August, everyone welcome.

22/07/2024

FERMENT, DESIGN AND TRESPASS

Walking TOUR

Date: Friday 11th-13th October

Where: Hathersage youth hostel

Difficulty: easy/medium

Highlights: Trespass, Fermentation, Autumnal scenes, Good food and Design

Friday 11th 3pm 2/3miles easy

After checking in at the hostel, our resident artist Chiara will lead a local exploration around Hathersage, among the explosion of autumnal delights of the peaks and all the nourishing fruits with health benefits, before she leads the Fermentation Extravaganza.

Can eating bring us closer to our bodies? What can it teach us about our connection with the land and the soil? This workshop provides a hands-on introduction to the art of fermentation and other natural preserving methods. Over the course of the session, you will be introduced to the history, health benefits and methods of these techniques, while using a range of ingredients to create your own edible stories to take away at the end of the workshop.

Saturday 12th ,12 miles and intermediate level of walking required

Don't forget to bring your beret, as we recreate the legendary Kinder Scout Mass Trespass.

On the 24th April 1932, activists from numerous Marxist sports clubs approached Kinder Scout to protest against the great landed estates who restricted the public from accessing their land (most of the Peak District that we know and love today).

Violent scuffles broke out with gamekeepers and several of the 'trespassers' were arrested. But it is said the protests paved the way for the 1949 National Parks Act.

We will follow in the footsteps of the trespassers, as Zig Zag Tours' Toby Ebbs recounts the background to the event, also considering the wider context of communist activism on the eve of the Spanish Civil War (many of those who were on Kinder Scout that day went on to fight Franco in Spain).

Sunday 4 miles easy

We don't have to rush to pack everything up we can have another relaxing breakfast before rambling down to towards the river Derwent.

Saria, as well as being head chef and designer of Zig Zag Tours will now guide us through her appreciation of gates (WHO KNEW?) and the design of everyday things that are often over looked but all around us.

We will then visit the fantastic design museum of David Mellor where we have a tour of the factory. £5

Included.

2x nights stay with breakfast at Hathersage hostel

2x Aperitivo and evening meals

3x fantastic tours.

Single private room £220 (limited availability)

Private double room £380

Private double room with en suite £425

Family room for up to 6 people £750

Bed in shared dorm £170pp

Own Camper Van £170

Dogs are welcome but YHA chargers £30.

If you would like to stay an extra night on the Sunday we will be charging an additional £30pp. No tours planned on monday but we can still have more Zig Zag fun on sunday night.

For booking please email Toby and Anthony on [email protected]

https://zigzag.tours/tours/ferment-design-and-trespass

27/06/2024

Back by popular demand, another chance to witness Nekki entertain you and take you to some lesser known places of Nottingham and discover some amazing trees.

CYCLING TOUR

Date: Saturday 10 August

Time: 13:30 – 16:00

Start: Nottingham Train Station, NG2 3AQ

Finish: Nottingham Train Station (or a nice pub)

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 5/6 miles

Surface: hard surface, cycle paths, moderate motor traffic in some parts, suitable for new comers, family, everyone.

Highlights: all the trees.

Paul Paine, our go to tour guide for all things trees, will take you to see a wide range of trees from majestic oaks and chestnuts in Wollaton park, to hidden fruit trees on the University Campus. We will also identify trees of riversides, urban environments and hedgerows along the route.

Paul will amuse you with facts and stories of these fantastic and ancient trees that we love so much but are always in constant danger of being removed.

This ride is suitable for all ages and abilities, just need an interest in trees. We will have a half way cafe break and most likely go for a social drink after the tour to discuss our findings and celebrate our trees.

Paul Paine is a permaculture gardening expert, you can usually find him at the community gardens at St Anns Allotments teaching, growing and cooking wholesome food.

https://zigzag.tours/tours/tree-weelin-an-exploration-of-trees-in-nottingham

20/05/2024

A full weekend of tours, an exploration of trees tour and a priavte for tour for the Green Meadows. Over 50 new zig zaggers exploring Notts by bike. Thanks for everyone that came.

08/11/2023

Victorian pubs of Mansfield road

Our annual Zig Zag Christmas party is upon us and we have organised an expert in pubs and beer to give us a talk about Victorian pubs at the newly refurbished Peacock before meandering up Mansfield road to sample some fine ales and hear tales from pubs past and present.
Lets support our pubs!

Thursday 7th December 17.45-late
EARLY BIRD TICKETS £6.50 includes pub tapas to line the stomach.

to book

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/victorian-pub-crawl-of-mansfield-road-tickets-754490018957?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1%2A1lieu39%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_ga%2AMTQ5NDI4OTQ0Ni4xNjk5NDQ2MzY0%2A_ga_TQVES5V6SH%2AMTY5OTQ0NjM2My4xLjEuMTY5OTQ0NjM3My4wLjAuMA..