Wollaton Park is a 500-acre historic deer park in Nottingham and Grade II listed.
It is home to Wollaton Hall, an Elizabethan country house, as well as a Deer Park, Formal Gardens, Lake and cafés. It also contains a Botanic Garden as well as a Natural History and Industrial Museum.
The park is designated a Local Nature Reserve, with a diverse population of Wildlife, Wildflowers and Trees.
The park is open to the public year-round and offers a variety of activities, such as walking, cycling, and picnicking. The park is also regularly used for concerts, festivals, and other events.
Volunteers from Friends of Wollaton Park work with the Park staff on the upkeep of the gardens and conservation tasks.
For the latest information, please see the Deer Park and Gardens page on the Wollaton Hall website.
History
Explore our timeline which journeys through the significant landscaping milestones that have made it the cherished park it is today.
Park Landscape
Trees, Avenues and Woods
Wetland
Wollaton Park boasts three types of Wetland: open water found in the Lake and Lake Ha-ha; running water in the Duck Decoy and Cattle Pond, and marshland in Middleton Marsh and Digby Woods.
Grassland
The park contains large areas of neutral grassland, including fields to the north. The acid grassland located between the Lake and Hall, stretching towards Derby Road, is especially significant. It is likely the area has not been ploughed or cultivated for more than 550 years. So, acid-loving wildflower species have thrived here, as well as several rare moth species associated with acid grassland.
Other Park Features
Orienteering
Discover every part of the park by taking on the Orienteering course.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wollaton Park
Please report these immediately to the Wollaton Park ranger onsite, or contact Wollaton Hall.
FoWP volunteers do not have the authority or equipment to handle emergencies or wildlife incidents.
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.
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.
No. Fishing is not permitted (unless you are a heron).
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.
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.
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.
Toilets are located:
- In the Courtyard
- By the 508 Cafe at the vehicle entrance
- In Wollaton Hall
No.
There are reports of blue-green algae in the lake, with is harmful to dogs.
Metal detectors need permission from the Park.