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Country Parks & Nature Reserves in Nottingham
Nottingham does well for wild spaces that don't cost a thing. Attenborough Nature Reserve has muddy paths and pond-dipping, with a café for when small legs give up. Colwick Country Park keeps things simple with a lakeside playground and flat paths for walking or cycling, free to get in. A bit further out, Gedling Country Park in Mapperley is a former colliery reworked into 276 acres, with a mining-themed play area, a zip wire and a proper café for afters. For toddlers, Skylarks Nature Reserve at Holme Pierrepont has a flat two-mile trail and viewing hides for spotting kingfishers, easy going with a pushchair. Older kids might prefer the hilly trails and engine house at Bestwood Country Park, or wellies-on wandering through Lambley Dumbles. Most of these are free with free parking, so the only real spend is on a Cotgrave picnic or café stop. If you fancy a longer trip, Calke Abbey out at Ticknall and Kedleston Hall near Derby add a stately house and parkland to poke round, from about £4.25.
10 places 1 upcoming event 7 free to visit
What's on: country parks & nature reserves
Places for country parks & nature reserves
FreeAttenborough Nature Reserve
Attenborough
Free wetland reserve for pond-dipping, bird feeders and muddy paths, with a café for when small legs give up.
CaféDog friendlyGift shopGroup bookings+6 more
FreeBestwood Country Park
Nottingham
Walk the hilly park trails, poke round the winding engine house and picnic - free entry and parking.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféFree parking+7 more
from £4.25Calke Abbey
Ticknall
A 600 acre parkland estate with natural play, cycling trails and a faded stately house to poke around when legs need a rest.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféChanging Places+12 more
FreeColwick Country Park
Nottingham
Let them loose on the lakeside playground, then walk or cycle the flat waterside paths - free park entry.
Bike parkingCash onlyDog friendlyFree parking+6 more
FreeCotgrave Country Park
Nottingham
Free pond dipping, nature trails and a summer Teddy Bears' Picnic in a park built on old colliery land near Nottingham.
Dog friendlyFree parkingOutdoor playParking+1 more
Gedling Country Park
Mapperley
Former colliery turned 276-acre country park with a mining-themed play area, zip wire and accessible trails, free to explore, with a proper café for afters.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféChanging Places+14 more
from £4.25Kedleston Hall
Derby · ages 0+
National Trust neoclassical hall and parkland north of Derby - house, grounds and cafe from about £4.25 parkland.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+12 more
FreeLambley Dumbles
Lambley
Pull on wellies for muddy stream-ravine walks through the dumbles and field paths - free countryside wander.
FreeSkylarks Nature Reserve
Holme Pierrepont
A flat two-mile trail round lakes and reed beds where kids can spot kingfishers and grebes from proper viewing hides.
Dog friendlyFree parkingParkingPicnic area+4 more
FreeWatermead Country Park
Leicester
Free country park with a Jurassic play trail, a lake full of birds and meadows thick with dragonflies.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingDog friendlyOutdoor play+3 more
IN SEASON AROUND NOTTINGHAM
Good to know: country parks & nature reserves in Nottingham
Are any of them free?
Yes, Attenborough Nature Reserve, Bestwood Country Park, Colwick Country Park, Cotgrave Country Park and 3 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £4.25 at Calke Abbey. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find country parks & nature reserves in Attenborough, Nottingham, Ticknall, Mapperley, Derby and 3 more. Every place we list is in or around Nottingham, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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