Nottingham / Places / Thoresby Park
Thoresby Park
Thoresby Estate, Thoresby Park, Newark
WHERE
Newark
WHAT IT’S LIKE
A 400-year Nottinghamshire estate with 150 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens, a new play park, courtyard shops, cafe and a free military museum, good for a picnic and a wander with buggies.
Thoresby Park is a country estate near Newark in Nottinghamshire, set within over 1,000 acres of parkland including 150 acres of gardens and woodland that are open for walks and picnics. Families can head for the new play park, browse the courtyard shops, grab something at the Thoresby Play Café, or duck into the free-to-enter Military Museum in the courtyard, handy on a wet day. There's also disc golf and Sherwood Nordic Walking on offer for those wanting a more active visit, and Hawkeye Falconry UK runs falconry activities on site. Throughout the year the estate runs family events such as the Summer Holiday Trail (a trail sheet costing £3 from the Visitor Centre, running 24th July–1st September, 10am–4pm, with a toy prize at the end), regular Courtyard Makers Markets (£5 car parking, 10am–4pm, no booking required), seasonal Christmas Breakfast events with costumed characters, and workshops in ceramics, jewellery, crafts, textiles and cyanotype printing available year-round. Larger outdoor events like Morris Fest and classic car shows also take place on the estate's event fields, some with camping and caravan pitches. The estate is well placed for road access, within 40 minutes of Nottingham, Doncaster, Newark and Sheffield, with excellent links to the A1, A614 and A616. Visitors mention the courtyard is a short walk from parking, with good walks around the estate and wildlife including deer, buzzards and nightjars to spot along the way.
GOOD TO KNOW
Facilities
Courtyard Shops and Cafe
Shops and cafe located in the Thoresby Courtyard.
Thoresby Play Café
Play café at Thoresby Park, including new play park.
Areas to explore
Disc Golf
Disc golf activity at Thoresby Park.
New Play Park
Newly opened play park at Thoresby Park.
Experiences
Hawkeye Falconry UK
Falconry activity listed among Thoresby activities.
Sherwood Nordic Walking
Nordic walking activity available in the park.
What's on
Ceramic Workshops
Christmas Breakfast with Buzz, Woody, Bo Peep & Jessie
Christmas Breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy & Santa's Elf!
Christmas Breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy & Santa's Elf!
Christmas Breakfast with the Princesses
Courtyard Makers Market
Outdoor stalls in and around the courtyard with local creatives, makers and artists selling handmade crafts and food. £5 car parking. No booking required.
Courtyard Makers Market
Outdoor stalls in and around the courtyard with local creatives, makers and artists selling handmade crafts and food. £5 car parking. No booking required.
Courtyard Makers Market
Craft Workshops
Cyanotype Making Workshops
Festival of Food & Drink 19th & 20th September
Fox Painting Class
Heritage Open Day
Heritage Open Day
Jewellery Making Workshops
Morris Fest 31st July – 2nd August
Annual event for owners and admirers of Morris cars (pre-1940 focus), hosted by the Morris Register, with classic vehicle displays, informal concours judging, autojumble, evening entertainment, camping/caravan pitches and family-friendly activities.
Notts Classic Car & Motorcycle Show
Robin Painting Class
Summer Holiday Trail 24th July – 1st September
A trail packed with adventure, discovery and outdoor fun for families; get a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre and win a toy prize at the end.
Textile Workshops
Winterfest 27th – 29th November