Country Parks

Rufford Abbey Country Park, owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and managed by Parkwood Outdoors, is one of Nottinghamshire’s favourite attractions.

Open every day except Christmas Day, the park has something for everyone - from adventure golf to boating, craft courses to children’s trails there’s always something to enjoy.

Plan your visit at www.ruffordabbey.co.uk.

Sherwood Forest, the legendary stomping-ground of Robin Hood, is a 450 acre country park in Nottinghamshire. Managed by an RSPB led consortium in partnership with the County Council, the park is home to the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The forest has 900 veteran oak trees including England's Tree of the Year 2014, The Major Oak. Discover the History of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and Major Oak

Open every day except Christmas Day, the forest has something for everyone - walks and trails, bug hunts, adventure playground, events - there's always plenty to enjoy.  

Plan your visit at www.visitsherwood.co.uk

 

Holme Pierrepont Country Park is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and managed by Serco on behalf of Holme Pierrepont Leisure Trust.  Home to the National Water Sports Centre, this 270 acre park offers a fantastic day out whatever your pace.

Open every day except Christmas Day, the park has something for everyone - from sky trails, e-combat and Segway hire to mini golf, lakes, lagoons and nature trails - there’s always plenty to enjoy.

Plan your visit at www.nwscnotts.com

Risen from the site of an old Colliery, Cotgrave is an area of rolling terrain, book-ended by wooded hills. We developed from reclaimed land and pit heaps, which surrounded the old coal mine. 

  • free admission and car parking
  • dogs are welcome
  • Grantham canal runs through the park
  • main entrance is from the car park on Hollygate Lane.
  • lose yourself in a peaceful setting of woodland, wetland and lakes
  • explore the five kilometres of paths and trails on foot or by bike
  • circle the edge of the site on horseback
  • test your map-reading skills with an extensive orienteering course

Getting here

Bus: The Cotgrave Connection leaves from Broadmarsh bus station. Plan a journey.

Car: Follow signs to Cotgrave from the A52, A606 or A46. Car access to the park is via Hollygate Lane. The nearest postcode is NG12 3HE.

Foot: There is pedestrian access from Colliery Lane.

Cotgrave Country Park is an informal green space. There are surfaced tracks and trails and a free car park. There are no toilets or refreshment facilities.

Fishing

The fishing rights of Heron Lake are leased to the Cotgrave Welfare Diamond Angling Club.

For more information, contact: cotgraveanglers@gmail.com.

View a map of the park [PDF].

Volunteering

The park holds regular volunteer days where you are welcome to lend a hand on conservation tasks. No experience is needed and we will provide training, equipment and refreshments.

The Friends of Cotgrave Country Park is a local supporters' group. Members meet in Cotgrave to discuss issues concerning the park, its users, wildlife and local community.

Find out more about volunteering or the Friends Group.

Bestwood Country Park is jointly owned by Gedling Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council and sits between Arnold and Bestwood village. The park has 650 acres of varied landscape, wildlife and industrial heritage. The park has become popular with walkers, cyclists and bird watchers as well as those coming to see Bestwood Winding Engine House. 

View a map of the park [PDF].

Plan your visit at gedling.gov.uk

Clumber Park

Run by the National Trust 

Clumber Park is a historic country park located near Worksop, Nottinghamshire. It is owned by the National Trust and open to the public.

Clumber Park is over 3,800 acres (15 km²) in extent, including woods, open heath and rolling farmland. Enjoy a gentle stroll along the longest avenue of Lime Trees in Europe at Clumber Park

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Sherwood Pines Forest Park

Run by the Forestry Commission 

Sherwood Pines Forest Park strives to be a centre of excellence by managing the landscape, visitor facilities and timber-producing woodland in a co-ordinated and sustainable way for the benefit of wildlife, visitors, local business and staff.

The forest caters for all offering something for everyone all year round, from walking and family cycling to mountain biking, Go Ape and adventure play.

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Newstead Abbey

Run by Nottingham City Council

The Abbey is now publicly owned, by Nottingham City Council, and houses a museum containing Byron memorabilia.

The grounds provide the perfect place for a relaxing outing all year round, with fabulous wildlife including peacocks, swans and geese.

The house features a collection of items that span the centuries, from when Newstead Abbey first became a private house, right up to the present day. It includes paintings, objects, letters, maps and photographs associated with the estate.

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Wollaton Hall and Park

Run by Nottingham City Council

Standing on a natural hill three miles west of Nottingham City Centre, Wollaton Hall is set in five hundred acres of spectacular gardens and parkland. 

The formal gardens provide the perfect spot to sit and relax. Here you can also visit The Camellia House, the oldest cast iron glasshouse in Europe.

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