National Water Sports Centre (Holme Pierrepont Country Park)

WHAT IT’S LIKE

270 acres of park, a white water rafting course and a free adventure playground, 10 minutes from Nottingham centre.

Holme Pierrepont Country Park is a 270-acre site just outside Nottingham city centre built around the National Water Sports Centre. Families can walk or cycle the park's lakeside routes, let kids loose on the free Adventure Play Park, or book into the Outdoor Adventure area for Sky Trail, Archery Combat and Mini Golf. On the water there's the Lagoon for family-friendly kayaking and paddleboarding, the Regatta Lake (also home to the weekly free Holme Pierrepont parkrun), and the White Water Course for more adrenaline-fuelled rafting, tubing and duckying. It suits a real range of ages, from toddlers in the play park to teenagers and adults tackling the rapids. There's an on-site gym with classes if a parent fancies a workout, and new Barrio Padel courts by the lake. For those wanting to stay over, there are camping pitches, arches and glamping pods on site, with 20% off pitches and pods currently offered with a promo code. Practically: the site has a café and toilets near the Regatta Lake finish/car park area, and 'Quieter Hours' every Friday 12-2pm and Sunday 11am-12pm for those needing a calmer visit. Car parking charges apply on event days, and the park regularly hosts triathlons, regattas and festivals that can increase footfall, worth checking the events list before visiting. Note there's currently a Blue/Green algae warning on the Regatta Lake, and a severe fire risk notice means BBQs and open fires are banned across the park (raised BBQs only allowed in the campsite, supervised).