Country Parks and Gardens

You will find a wealth of country parks and gardens in Nottinghamshire. Perfect for relaxing in the summer sunshine or enjoying an autumnal walk, these beautiful green spaces have something for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you're planning a family picnic, a group bike ride or simply fancy spending some time in nature, you will find plenty of places to enjoy the great outdoors. 

Not sure where to go first? Dive into our top 10 recommendations of gorgeous country parks and gardens in Nottinghamshire.

1. Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve extends over 450 acres. This varied forest is home to more than one thousand veteran oaks, most of which are over 500 years old. The largest and most famous of these is the Major Oak, which has stood at the heart of Sherwood Forest for an amazing 800 years!

Of course, Sherwood Forest is best known as the legendary home of Robin Hood. This historic site celebrates its heritage by hosting some of Nottinghamshire’s most popular annual events, including the Robin Hood Festival and Nottinghamshire Day Festival.

Sherwood Forest has a unique ecological system: the natural decay of fallen wood means the woodland teems with insect life, fungi, birds and bats. In partnership with the Sherwood Trust, the RSPB introduced a woodland grazing project here, which uses Hebridean sheep and Dexter cattle to ensure that open areas of medieval heathland do not revert to scrub.

As you make your way through the forest, admire the weird and wonderful shapes of the ancient oak trees, twisted by age and weathered into living sculptures. There are a number of pathways to take you around the forest, or you can follow one of the family nature trails to add a bit of fun to your visit.

After exploring the forest, enjoy a browse around the visitor centre shop, or stop for a coffee in the café. Welcoming around 500,000 visitors each year, the Sherwood Forest Country Park also hosts a great programme of events throughout the year. To find out what's coming up, head to our What's On page.

2. Nottingham Arboretum

The award-winning Arboretum in Nottingham is the oldest public park in the city. Opened on 11 May 1852, this beautiful park is home to an important collection of over 800 trees, some of which are from the original collection planted in the 19th century.

The original layout and design of Nottingham Arboretum was managed by Samuel Curtis, a botanist and horticultural publicist. Samuel had previously been involved with the layout of Victoria Park in the East End of London in 1842.

Easily accessible from the city centre and via the tram network that runs alongside it, this park plays a vital role in the local community and regularly hosts a variety of events.

3. Sherwood Pines Forest Park

With over 3,300 acres to explore, Sherwood Pines Forest Park is the largest publicly accessible forest in the East Midlands. There are a wide variety of outdoor activities on offer here, so you can choose to explore on foot, on two wheels or by swinging high in the trees with the Go Ape Treetop Adventure. Not sure where to start? Head to the Visitor Centre at the heart of the park, where you'll also find a cafe, cycle hire facilities and a children's adventure play trail.

If you want to head out on a bike, you can can follow one of the Sherwood Pines Mountain Bike Cycle Trails. There are five cycling and mountain bike trails at Sherwood Pines, each of which varies in distance and difficulty. The Ancient Sherwood Cycle Route is one of the most scenic trails, starting at Sherwood Forest Art and Craft Centre, travelling through Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and ending at the beautiful Clumber Park.  

Did you know that you can book accommodation in Sherwood Forest? Extend your stay in this ancient forest by booking a night at Forest Holidays, Sherwood Forest Holiday Park, The Sherwood Hideaway or the Sherwood Pines Campsite.

4. Walesby Forest

Walesby Forest is an International Outdoor Activity Centre located in the heart of Robin Hood County. Spread over 250 acres of beautiful woodland, there are all sorts of things to see and do here. 

This not-for-profit organisation has been welcoming visitors from across the Midlands and further afield since 1938, offering bespoke and inclusive outdoor experiences to suit any adventurer.

5. Clumber Park

Now open to the public, this National Trust site was once the seat of the Duke of Newcastle. With over 3800 acres to explore and more than 120 types of tree, it's a haven for nature lovers. Don’t miss the stunning Lime Tree Avenue - a double row of common lime trees stretching nearly two miles. Planted in 1840, it’s thought to be the longest avenue of its kind in Europe.

A variety of activities await at Clumber, from permanent orienteering courses to woodland adventures. Check out the walled kitchen garden for some delicious homegrown veg, browse the second-hand bookshop, or get active on the Clumber Park Run. As well as walking and running trails around the park, there are also over 20 miles of cycle routes to follow - bikes and tandems are available to hire.

As part of Clumber Park Revitalised, the park has opened the Central Bark cafe just outside the Walled Kitchen Garden. With hot and cold refreshments, sweet treats and light bites, this dog-friendly cafe is the perfect place to stop and refuel. If your pup is keen to make some friends, the cafe also host Weekly Dog Walking Socials every Wednesday at 10am.

6. Bestwood Country Park

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the historic Bestwood Country Park is situated on the northern fringe of Nottingham. This 650-acre park has a rich and diverse landscape, and is home to an incredible variety of wildlife habitats.

With lakes teeming with water birds, meadows full of wildflowers, ancient oak woodland, and a reclaimed coal tip, Bestwood’s changing landscape reflects the varied history of Nottinghamshire itself.

7. Wollaton Hall & Park

Standing on a natural hill, only three miles west of Nottingham, Wollaton Hall is a beautiful 16th century Elizabethan mansion. Set within 500 acres, this historic estate is also home to a deer park, woodland and a lake. Look familiar? Wollaton Hall became internationally famous in 2012, when it starred as Batman's residence, Wayne Manor, in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises.

Wollaton Hall, Gardens and Deer Park is a popular visitor attraction all year round. Full of wildlife, the parkland is a beautiful spot for a walk during spring or autumn. In summer, it is a hot spot for picnics, and in winter, you will often see people sledging down the hills!

If you want to learn more about the estate’s history, visit the Nottingham Industrial Museum, explore the caves beneath the Hall, or take a tour inside to see the traditional Tudor décor. Since opening to the public in 1926, Wollaton Hall has also housed the city’s Natural History Museum. This fascinating museum displays zoology, geology and botany specimens, from a collection of over 750,000 items.

8. Creswell Crags

Situated in North Nottinghamshire, Creswell Crags is an impressive limestone gorge - with an incredible Ice Age history.

Honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures, this site dates back tens of thousands of years. Stone tools and animal remains found by archaeologists reveal evidence of human and animal life here between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. In 2003, Britain’s only known Ice Age rock art was discovered in the caves, adding further insight into this ancient history.

Creswell Crags is also home to the largest concentration of so-called witches marks found in any British cave. These apotropaic symbols were carved into the rock surface to ward off evil spirits thought to emerge from the underworld. Hundreds of these protective marks, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, were uncovered in 2018.

9. Rufford Abbey

Over the last 900 years, Rufford Park has transformed from a Cistercian monestry to a country house, making for a very interesting display of buildings that reflect the different uses of the land. Eventually, this heritage site was bought by Nottinghamshire County Council in 1952 and transformed into a county park for visitors to enjoy.

One of Nottinghamshire's best loved country parks, you can enjoy a brilliant family day out at Rufford, with boats to hire on the lake, adventure golf, archery at weekends and a children's playground. You can wander a variety of independent shops selling local produce and artisan wares, and there are two cafes and an ice-cream parlour on-site.

10. Thoresby Park

Surrounded by 1,000 acres of unspoilt countryside, Thoresby Park is a beautiful space for families to enjoy. This historic estate offers a wide range of attractions, a year-round programme of events, and public access to its scenic grounds.

In the Victorian Courtyard, you’ll find independent craft shops, a licensed restaurant, and a cosy coffee shop. The estate is also home to a Military Museum and an acclaimed art gallery that showcases regional, national, and international artists. Popular annual events include the Festival of Food & Drink and the Courtyard Makers Mart - a fabulous market showcasing local crafters, makers and artisans.

Don't forget to look out for the famous Robin Hood statue when you visit!

11. Newstead Abbey and Gardens

Newstead Abbey is a beautiful historic house, set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland. This famous abbey was home to the notorious romantic poet Lord Byron from 1808 -1814. Visit today and you can walk in Byron's footsteps - and visit his private apartments.

Surrounding the Abbey, there are more than 300 acres of gardens and parkland to explore. Paths meander past lakes, ponds and waterfalls, and the formal gardens are the perfect place to relax in the sunshine.

If you're looking for accomodation close by, you can stay at the Gardener's Cottage in the grounds. Built in the 1860s by the Webb family, Gardener’s Cottage is just a few minutes’ walk from many of the parks’ unique features, including the Abbey and Byron’s own Fort.

The 'Time to Connect' Art Trail

You will find the Time to Connect Art Trail in many of Nottinghamshire's country parks and gardens. Created and installed by artist Chris Campbell, this fun and creative trail features a series of six artworks.

Chris teamed up with visual artists Mandy Keating and Tracey Meek to run workshops with local groups and school children. The drawings created during these sessions, inspired by Nottinghamshire’s heritage and landscapes, were used by Chris in his final sculpture designs.

Each sculpture on the trail invites you to take ‘Time to Connect’ - both with the place and the people you're with. You can follow along at Newstead Abbey, RSPB Sherwood Forest, Rufford Abbey and Bestwood Country Park.