Trail Series - Episode 6
Episode 6 of the short trail series
The 'Short Trail Mountain Biking Series' is a selection of short videos of some of my favourite trails. The sixth episode of the series takes in the trail on top of the old pit tip down to Penny Emma Way. Don't blink or you could miss it.
Penny Emma Way in Kirkby-in-Ashfield has a surprisingly rich and evolving story—one that blends industrial legacy with modern regeneration.
The name “Penny Emma” is believed to be linked to the area's mining heritage, possibly referencing a local colliery or a nickname derived from the coal industry era. Kirkby-in-Ashfield was once surrounded by pits and railways, and Penny Emma Way follows part of an old railway line that served the Summit Pit Tip area.
In recent years, Penny Emma Way has been transformed into a key part of Ashfield District Council’s Towns Fund initiative. The route between Southwell Lane and Penny Emma Way was widened to 1.8 meters to improve access for cyclists, wheelchair users, and pedestrians. The resurfacing used recycled materials, and the project included new signage and vegetation clearance—making it both eco-conscious and community-friendly.
This path now links several off-road cycling and walking routes, creating a green corridor between Sutton and Kirkby. It’s the final piece in a broader plan to make the Summit Pit Tip area fully accessible, with over £100,000 invested in footpath improvements.
If you’re ever walking or cycling down Penny Emma Way, you’re literally tracing the lines of Kirkby’s industrial past while enjoying the benefits of its modern transformation.
I loved this trail just because you can cruise at speed and relax without thinking about the any corners. Fast and straight.
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