Nature Reserves

Whether you want to wander through wildflower meadows, explore ancient woodland or watch the wildlife while you get away from it all, Nottinghamshire has an abundance of green, open spaces.  You’ll find a huge range of Nature Reserves and wildlife conservation areas, perfect for long walks surrounded by the beauty of the natural world and appreciating the flora and fauna which flourishes.

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve
 

This 450-acre country park was designated a National Nature Reserve in 2002 and is home to hundreds of species of bird, insect, mammal, fungi, tree and plant. Sherwood Forest is, of course, internationally famous for its legendary links to a different kind of Robin – our original outlaw, Robin Hood and his band of merry men.

The jewel in the crown is the collection of ancient oaks – almost 1,000 of them, including the colossal Major Oak, making this the biggest and best place to find these trees in Europe. 

Attenborough Nature Reserve

Located just a short drive or bus ride from Nottingham city centre, close to the bustling town of Beeston, you’ll find the expansive Attenborough Nature Reserve, which covers 145 hectares of lakes, wetland and grassland. Despite its close proximity to well populated areas, the reserve thrives as a natural habitat and attracts all sorts of wildlife from herons to pine martins.

Managed by the dedicated team at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, it is maintained year-round and is a popular destination for eco-tourists. They run activities and events throughout the year, both out in the reserve and in the Nature Centre, where you’ll also find a shop and café. Interestingly, the reserve is named after the pretty village which sits beside it, not national treasure and world-famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough, although he did open the reserve back in 1966.

Dukes Wood Nature Reserve
 

Duke's Wood Nature Reserve is an intriguing mix of industrial heritage and conservation area. It was the location of the UK's first onshore oilfield and on the Duke's Wood industrial archaeological nature trail you’ll see some the of the original 'nodding donkey' pumps which have been restored. The ancient and secondary woodland is dominated by oak, ash, hazel and birch and many pretty wildflowers thrive here, including many species of wild orchid and also the rare Vetch Nissola, which is found only in one other location in the UK.

RSPB Beckingham Marshes
 

In 2012, the completion of the Beckingham Marshes Project saw a brand-new visitor trail and bustling wetland open on the outskirts of Beckingham, north Nottinghamshire. The project was one of the UK’s biggest wetland habitat restoration projects and was set up to transform land back to grassland. Today, visitors can enjoy the brand new wetland which provides ideal conditions for lots of wetland wildlife. Amazingly, it covers over 800 hectares of farmland – the equivalent of approximately 1,600 football pitches.

Devon Pastures Local Nature Reserve

The NDevon Pastures Local Nature Reserve includes the Sconce and Devon Park. A large area of public open grass and woodlands, it boats a 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.

The park also includes a cafe, children's play area, a football centre and a network of pathways suitable for wheelchairs.