Country Parks and Gardens

Nottinghamshire’s country parks and gardens are always a popular place to explore outdoors and take in a breath of fresh air. With some attractions open almost all year round, our country parks and gardens are great if you want a family day out with a picnic in the summer, get active on a bike or foot, spot wildlife and enjoy annual events and festivals.

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve
 

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve extends over 450 acres and incorporates slender birch trees alongside 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 still produces acorns after standing at the heart of Sherwood Forest for an amazing 800 years!

Of course, this Forest is the legendary home of Robin Hood – and the site of one of the county’s most popular FREE festivals, the annual Robin Hood Festival.

Browse around the visitor centre shops or relax after a stroll at the Forest Table Restaurant. Take a walk along one of the fun family nature trails, or just admire the weird and wonderful shapes of the ancient oak trees, twisted by age and weathered into living sculptures.

Sherwood Forest has a unique ecology system: the natural decay of fallen wood means the woodland teems with insect life, fungi, birds and bats. In partnership with the Sherwood Trust, a woodland grazing project featuring Hebridean sheep and Dexter cattle ensures that open areas of medieval heathland do not revert to scrub. It’s little wonder that Sherwood Forest Country Park welcomes around 500,000 visitors each year.

They host weekly and seasonal events so don't forget to visit our What's On page to see their events.
 

Sherwood Pines Forest Park

Sherwood Pines Forest Park is the largest forest open to the public in the East Midlands with over 3,300 acres to discover.

It’s a centre for a wide variety of outdoor activities, so you can choose to explore on foot, on two wheels with numerous cycle paths, or high in the trees at Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. The Visitor Centre is at the heart of it all with a cafe, cycle hire and children's adventure play trail available.
 

Clumber Park

Now open all year round to the public, this National Trust treasure was once seat to the Duke of Newcastle and features over 3800 acres of land to roam. A Site of Specific Scientific Interest, there are over 120 types of tree, including the stunning Lime Tree Avenue. A variety of activities await at Clumber, from permanent orienteering courses to the woodland adventure park. Check out the walled kitchen garden for some delicious homegrown veg, browse the second-hand bookshop, or get active on the Clumber ParkRun! Stroll around the grounds or hire a bike or tandem to get around - there are over 20 miles of cycle routes to follow so this is a great way to explore more! Afterwards you can relax at The Garden Tea-House, enjoy a picnic or bring along a BBQ to use at their designated BBQ pitch. 
 

Wollaton Hall & Park
 

Standing on a natural hill, only three miles west of Nottingham city centre, Wollaton Hall is a flamboyant 16th century Elizabethan mansion set in a scenic 500 acre historic deer park. The Hall became internationally famous in 2012 as ‘Batman’s pad’ when it starred as Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises.

Throughout all the seasons, the park is a popular visitor attraction. In summer, enjoy the glorious sunshine and kick back with a picnic with your friends or family, and in winter wrap up warm and take to the hills on your sleigh!

Discover local history in the Nottingham Industrial Museum, explore the caves underneath the Hall, or enjoy a tour inside the Hall where you will find Tudor kitchens, prospect room, salon, dining room, bird room and the natural connections gallery in the Natural History Museum - which is in addition to the exhibitions inspired by art and science in the Yard Gallery.

Rufford Abbey

In its 900 year history the land at Rufford Park transformed from Cistercian monestry to country house, making for a very interesting display of buildings that reflect different uses and eras of the land. The land was bought by Nottinghamshire County Council in 1952 and transformed into a county park for visitors to enjoy.

Today you can wander a variety of independent shops selling local produce and artisan wares, along with two cafes and an ice-cream parlour. One of Nottinghamshire's best loved country parks, a brilliant family day out can be had at Rufford, with boats to hire on the lake, adventure golf, archery at weekends and a children's playground. They often host events so make sure to check our What's On page to learn more. Admission is free but parking charges do apply.
 

Newstead Abbey and Gardens
 

Newstead Abbey is a beautiful historic house set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland within the heart of Nottinghamshire. The Abbey was once home to the notorious romantic poet Lord Byron, from 1808 – 1814, and visitors can explore the Victorian room settings and the poets private apartments.

Explore more than 300 acres of gardens and parkland at the Abbey where paths meander past lakes, ponds and waterfalls. The formal gardens are the perfect place to relax and offer something in all seasons.

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

Bestwood Country Park
 

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, this 650 acre park, on the northern fringe of Nottingham, boasts an incredible variety of different wildlife habitats. From Mill Lakes teeming with water birds, to meadows full of wild flowers, ancient oak woodland and a reclaimed coal tip, Bestwood has a landscape which reflects the varied history of Nottinghamshire itself. For example, the Winding Engine House, a splendid piece of industrial archaeology, is a memorial to the coal mining industry which was once extremely important to our economy.
 

Rushcliffe Country Park

Set in the beautiful south Nottinghamshire countryside within easy access of Nottingham, the country park has around five miles of footpaths to explore and enjoy. With many diverse settings including a lake, woodland and meadow, the park is an absolute delight! If you’re feeling peckish during your exploration, why not visit the highly regarded cafe which is available on site?

Gedling Country Park

Gedling Country Park is a 230 acre site hosting a play area, café and parking facilities. Opened in 2015 the site is managed by Gedling Borough Council with the assistance of the Friends of Gedling Country Park.

The site commands spectacular views of Gedling, and from its highest point there are impressive views across Nottinghamshire and into neighbouring Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. On a clear day you'll be able to see as far as Belvoir Castle and Lincoln Cathedral.

There are multiple paths that weave their way through the woodlands and grasslands that make up the rich flora and fauna within the country park.

Holme Pierrepont Country Park

Set in 270 acres of parkland, Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre is one of the UK’s hidden gems. Just 10 minutes from the city centre, there is something for everyone from White Water rafting to Sky Tykes for the little ones. Why not make a weekend of it, with a short break on the newly refurbished Campsite? Pitches and glamping options available, including deluxe arches and Bell Tents.

The National Water Sports Centre is also home to a new More Fitness Gym providing a range of the latest cardiovascular and resistance training equipment, as well as a specific strength and conditioning area and a Watt Bike Spin Studio.

You will also find Holme Pierrepont Hall (pictured) nearby, a notable landmark and family home which has many stories to tell such as its links with Bess of Hardwick, the first legal divorce, and the English Civil War.

Sconce and Devon Park

Enjoy this large area of public open grass and woodlands, including Devon Pastures Local Nature Reserve in Newark. Here, you can see the Queen’s Sconce, a 17th century Civil War earthwork fortification. The Scheduled Ancient Monument is one of the country's finest remaining earthworks from the English Civil War.