These questions/answers have been developed by the Volunteer Park Rangers in association with Friends of Wollaton Park.
General
Yes, there are two cafes, as well as mobile catering in the park.
The park is free to enter, but car parking charges apply.
Is Wollaton Park open today?
Hall and Museum opening times.
Industrial Museum opening times.
Any lost property found is usually handed into the Shop or Cafe in the courtyard.
There are payment machines in the car park, but these do not take cash.
If you need to pay cash, you can do so in the cafe or shop in the courtyard
Blue badge parking can be found in the top car park, near the red telephone box and in front of the Hall.
Park
The Wollaton Hall website reports “BBQs & fires are not permitted in the park, as they pose a danger to the wild deer and other wildlife”.
BBQs can also cause fires. Fires can damage ancient trees.
Yes, picnicking is allowed at Wollaton Park. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. It is important to note that all litter should be disposed of properly in the designated bins to help maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the park.
No. Fishing is not permitted (unless you are a heron).
The Wollaton Hall website reports “We do not allow drone flying at any time over Wollaton Hall and Deer Park except by contractors commissioned by Nottingham City Council for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and are operating under controlled conditions”.
No. Swimming is not permitted.
500 acres or 200 hectares.
An acre is an area in which you could park about 150 cars.
A hectare is about two-and-a-half times the size of an average football field.
No.
There are reports of blue-green algae in the lake, with is harmful to dogs.
Metal detectors need permission from the Park.
Dogs should be kept on a lead at all times to ensure that they do not disturb other park visitors or wildlife.
The deer may attack dogs that get too close.
Visitors are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
A ha-ha is a sunken wall around the hall and the lake.
The purpose of the ha-ha was to give the viewer of the garden/lake the illusion of an unbroken landscape whilst providing boundaries for deer and other livestock.
Toilets are located:
- In the Courtyard
- By the 508 Cafe at the vehicle entrance
- In Wollaton Hall
Deer
The deer are herbivores and graze naturally throughout the woodlands and grasslands in the park.
In winter, their food is supplemented with mangles.
In March or April each year, the male deer shed their antlers.
Antlers are primarily used by males for competition during mating season. The size and shape of the antlers can indicate a male’s health and dominance, helping them attract mates and fight off rivals. Shedding the antlers after mating season conserves energy and avoids the disadvantages of carrying heavy antlers during the winter month.
Deer have Antlers.
Antlers: Made of bone, shed and regrown annually, covered in velvet while growing.
Horns: Made of keratin (same material as hair and nails), permanent and continuously grow throughout an animal’s life.
- Keep dogs on leads throughout the park, especially near the deer
- If a deer charges towards you, let your dog off the lead so it can run away
- Owners of dogs worrying the deer may receive a fine of up to £1,000
- Do not touch or approach young deer if found, mother will be nearby.
- Female Red Deer are known as Hinds, the males as Stags and the young as calves.
- Female Fallow Deer are known as Does, the males as Bucks and the young as fawns.
Sorry to disappoint our younger visitors at Christmas time, but there are no Reindeer.
The deers are a great sight and make excellent photos.
It is important that you take your photos from a distance of over 50m, to protect both the deer and yourself from accidental harm.
The breeding season or rut is typically from late September until November.
The deer roam the park and could be anywhere!
Wildlife
While it may be tempting to get close to the wildlife, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. It is recommended to observe them from a safe distance and not to feed them.
Information is correct as of February 2023.
Gardens
See the Walled Garden information page for details.
When Walled Garden tour dates are announced they will appear in the News section or the Calendar.
A formal garden is a type of garden design that is characterised by a clear structure, geometric shapes, straight lines, and symmetry.
It is typically structured around a central axis and features lawns, flower beds, and topiary.
Botanic Garden opening times.
The formal garden is usually open when the Hall is open.
The Botanic Garden is located in the Courtyard.
The Formal Garden is at the back of the hall.
It can be entered from a gate to the side of the main hall entrance, or via a gate facing the lake.
The Sensory Garden is located within the Formal Garden.
From the back of the Hall, follow the centre path, down the steps and turn left. Follow the path to the end and turn right. The Sensory Garden will be on your right.
The Walled Garden, is to the left of the main vehicle entrance on Wollaton Road, beside Mr Man’s.
The outer north wall runs along Wollaton road to the Funeral Parlour.
Volunteering
See our Volunteering page, to see the latest volunteering opportunities.
See the Walled Garden information page for details.
Volunteering provides many benefits, including the opportunity to connect with nature, meet new people, and develop new skills. It is also a great way to give back to the community and contribute to the preservation of the park’s natural resources.
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