A Guide to Nottingham's Green Spaces

Nottingham might be known for its castle, its lace industry, and its two football clubs, but visitors — and even some residents — are often surprised by just how green the city is. With over 50 parks, a major river running through the city centre, ancient woodland on the doorstep, and a growing network of green corridors, Nottingham rewards people who get outside.

Wollaton Park is the obvious starting point. Four miles west of the city centre, it's a 500-acre deer park with a stunning Elizabethan mansion — Wollaton Hall — that now houses Nottingham's Natural History Museum. The deer roam freely, the lake draws photographers year-round, and the gardens and woodland trails provide enough variety to make every visit different. It's the kind of park that other cities envy, and it's free to enter.

Closer to the centre, the Arboretum is Nottingham's oldest public park, opened in 1852. At just 17 acres, it's compact but beautifully designed, with an aviary, a bandstand, mature specimen trees, and a strong Chinese community presence marked by the striking Chinese guardian lions at the entrance. It's a peaceful retreat during a lunch break or a pleasant detour on a walk through the city.

The Victoria Embankment runs along the River Trent between Trent Bridge and Wilford Toll Bridge. It's the city's most popular riverside space, with broad grass areas, memorial gardens, a playground, and a continuous path that makes it perfect for walking, running, and cycling. The new cycle path connecting West Bridgford to the city centre now makes the embankment part of a coherent active-travel route that will only improve as the network expands.

Further out, Colwick Country Park and Holme Pierrepont are two of the largest open spaces in the area. Colwick has two large lakes, woodland, and grassland — a haven for birdwatchers and anyone who wants to feel properly out of the city while being ten minutes from it. Holme Pierrepont is the National Watersports Centre, with a 2,000-metre regatta lake, a white-water course, and a range of water-based activities from paddleboarding to open-water swimming.

The real hidden gem is the network of green spaces that connect these places. The Big Track is a roughly 10-mile circular cycle and walking route that links Nottingham, Beeston, and the surrounding countryside along the canal and river. The network of footpaths through the Leen Valley and Bestwood Country Park provides access to ancient woodland and meadows without needing a car. Nottingham's green spaces work best when you explore the connections between them.