Clumber Park

About

 

Top tip: Enjoy a gentle stroll along the longest avenue of Lime Trees in Europe at Clumber Park

A National Trust property, Clumber Park is open daily all year.  This wide expanse of parkland, farmland and woods covers over 3800-acres (1500 hectares) and was once the seat of the Dukes of Newcastle.

There are over 120 different types of tree at this wonderful National Trust property, offering year-round colour and including the memorable avenue of limes, 2 miles (3km) long, which forms the main approach.

Although the mansion was demolished in 1938, many original Clumber Park estate features survive, including the Victorian chapel, a Gothic Revival 'mini-cathedral', stable yard and garages and ornate entrance lodges. Particularly fascinating are the superb 19th-century glasshouses, which incorporate a palm house, vineries and working apiary, and overlook the walled kitchen garden. An avenue of cedars leads to the pleasure grounds.

At the heart of the estate is the magnificent serpentine lake, complete with balustraded bridge and delightful Doric Temple. A stroll along the lakeshore gives spectacular views and offers good fishing and birdwatching.

Cycle hire is available near the visitor centre and this is an excellent way to truly appreciate the beautiful area of Clumber Park. There are several routes that you can take by bike and cyclists can also bring their own and pick up a map from the shop. There is a children's outdoor play area as well as a recently developed Discovery Centre in the main visitor facilities. You'll also find an outdoor coffee shop and a cafe/restaurant selling local produce food here too.

Clumber Park Revitalised

Clumber Park is a special and important place, one of just a handful of Grade 1 registered parks in the country and enjoyed by many people. In fact it is one of the top five most visited National Trust places in the country. Clumber Park is now embarking on an exciting new era. The change in admissions policy marks the start of a £8.5 million programme to revive and revitalise the park, that will include:

*Restoring areas of heathland and important habitats for wildlife which have been badly damaged by cars and erosion

*Bringing the historic Walled Kitchen Garden and Pleasure Grounds to life

*Opening up views across the park that have been lost, and protecting ancient trees

*Investing in and improving visitor facilities (catering, shop, toilets etc)

Top facts

*Clumber Park was the site of testing for ‘Nellie’, one of Winston Churchill’s prototypes for WWII. Churchill visited to see Nellie, a 77 foot long tank hybrid, in action at Clumber Park, however she was never to go on into production for the war. Visitors to Clumber Park can see images of Churchill onsite, and read about the story behind Nellie on a visit to the Clumber Park Discovery Centre.

*Clumber House has been home to the Dukes of Newcastle for over three centuries. The original mansion was demolished in 1938 but the pleasure grounds and walled kitchen garden give you clues to its grand past.

*Clumber Park was voted the most romantic place for a date in the East Midlands by the Great Date Guide. We're not surprised!

Read Clumber Park's blog with their Head Gardener here!