Country Parks & Gardens

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve contains some of the oldest trees in Europe, veteran oaks five centuries old and the world-famous Major Oak, still producing acorns after standing at the heart of Sherwood Forest for an amazing 800 years!

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

Browse around the visitor centre shops or relax after a stroll in 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 features Hebridean sheep and Dexter cattle ensure 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.

Rufford Abbey and Country Park

Located near Ollerton, on the edge of the famous Sherwood Forest, Rufford Abbey's 150-acre park is one of Nottinghamshire’s most popular visitor attractions.

At its heart are the picturesque remains of a 12th century Cistercian monastery and later country house. Around these buildings lie charming gardens, meadows and woodland. The attractions of Rufford range from a contemporary craft centre with gallery exhibitions - check out the annual Earth & Fire Ceramics Fair in June - and ‘potters in residence’.  There’s plenty to do all year-round here – stroll around the woods, or explore the spooky Abbey ruins (said to be one of Nottinghamshire’s most haunted spots!).

Sherwood Pines Forest Park

Sherwood Pines Forest Park is the largest forest open to the public in the East Midlands and centre for a wide variety of outdoor activities. Facilities include Visitor Centre with cafe, cycle hire and children's adventure play trail. Waymarked woodland walks and mountain biking area.

Wollaton Hall & Park

Standing on a natural hill 3 miles west of Nottingham City Centre, Wollaton Hall is a flamboyant 16th century Robert Smythson building set in a scenic 500-acre historic park.

Discover natural history collections from around the world, local history in the industrial museum, Tudor kitchens, prospect room, salon, dining room, bird room and the natural connections gallery - which is in addition to the exhibitions inspired by art and science in the Yard Gallery.

Purelands Japanese Garden

This traditional Japanese garden provides beautiful surroundings with a pond, pagoda, waterfall, bridges, stream, stone lantern, maple trees, cherry trees, bamboos, irises and water lilies. Visitors enjoy the peace which reflects the harmony of nature and the inner self of man. Meditation and relaxation tuition and courses are held all year round.

Hodsock Snowdrops

The magnificent Snowdrops at Hodsock Priory, Nottinghamshire’s only Snowdrop garden - seasonal display, please check dates. Take a gentle woodland walk, warm up by the bonfire and relax over afternoon tea or lunch in the Hodsock Tea Room. Take the Hodsock experience home with a purchase from our Plant Sales and Souvenir Shop.

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 once so important to our economy.